Post by Penn Institute for Urban Research

🏘️ After more than three decades, the most significant federal housing legislation in a generation appears poised to become law. The bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is expected to take effect after passing both chambers of Congress with overwhelming bipartisan support. If enacted, it would mark the federal government's first comprehensive effort in decades to address the nation's housing shortage through reforms designed to increase housing supply, expand financing options, reduce development barriers, and preserve affordability. The legislation reflects a growing consensus among researchers and policymakers that no single intervention can solve America's housing crisis. Instead, it advances a broad portfolio of reforms, including streamlining housing production and supporting manufactured housing, expanding access to small-dollar mortgages, and incentivizing local zoning reforms. Penn IUR Faculty Fellow Vincent Reina of the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design has been a leading national voice explaining both the promise and the limitations of the bill in recent interviews with NPR's All Things Considered and WBUR's Here & Now. As Reina has notes, the legislation represents an important step forward but meaningful progress will ultimately depend on implementation, sustained investment, and continued efforts to expand both housing supply and affordability. At a time when bipartisan policymaking is increasingly rare, the ROAD to Housing Act demonstrates that housing affordability remains an issue capable of bringing together leaders across the political spectrum. Links to Reina's recent interviews here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eNbBP3c3 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gxTvFfwi #PennIUR #HousingPolicy #HousingAffordability #HousingSupply #UrbanResearch #ROADtoHousingAct