WTAS: Alabama Leaders Applaud Enactment of Bipartisan Housing Bill into Law, Praise U.S. Senator Katie Britt’s Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, following the enactment of the bipartisan 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act into law, several Alabama leaders praised the legislation, including U.S. Senator Katie Britt's leadership and priorities in the larger package. Senator Britt also shared her continued commitment to sending the SAVE America Act, a commonsense bill to secure our country and elections, to President Trump's desk.

Several bills Senator Britt introduced were among those signed into law. The Helping More Families Save Act, legislation she introduced with Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), establishes a pilot program to expand participation in the HUD Family Self Sufficiency Program - the only HUD program focused solely on moving families off government assistance and toward economic independence. As participating families increase their earnings, the additional rent they would normally owe is instead deposited into a savings account in their name. Once they successfully leave government assistance, they can access those saving to build wealth and save for goals like a down payment on a home, education, job training, transportation, or an emergency fund.

The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, legislation she introduced with Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), will ensure veterans who receive disability payments from their service do not have their eligibility penalized for housing support. This bill passed the House by voice vote earlier in the 119^th Congress.

The Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, legislation she introduced with Senators Gallego, Padilla, Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), will remove an unnecessary federal requirement that manufactured homes maintain a permanent chassis. A steel chassis can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $10,000, and removing this red tape will immediately lower costs for families.

Senator Britt also cosponsored or supported several other provisions in the final package, including Senator Mike Rounds' (R-S.Dak.) Keeping Deposits Local Act to modernize outdated rules on reciprocal deposits allowing community banks and credit unions to keep deposits locally in Alabama, rather than flowing to Wall Street. She also cosponsored Senator Bill Hagerty's (R-Tenn.) Credit Union Board Modernization Act, and also secured a study on the implementation of work requirements for certain recipients of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) assistance.

Following the enactment of this legislation, Senator Britt also reiterated her continued commitment to passing the SAVE America Act and sending it to President Trump's desk. "Election integrity-and ensuring ONLY American citizens are voting in our elections-is imperative to our democracy and to free and fair elections. I will not stop fighting to pass this commonsense legislation for the American people. While I'm grateful Congress took a tremendous first step to addressing housing affordability, we must pass the SAVE America Act, and I Iook forward to working with our colleagues to get this done," stated Senator Britt.

Here is what Alabama leaders are saying about this landmark legislation and Senator Britt's role:

Alabama Apartment Association: "The Alabama Apartment Association (AAA) applauds the passage and enactment of the 21^stCentury ROAD to Housing Act and commends Senator Britt for her leadership and for securing several important wins in this legislation.

"This is a meaningful step forward in addressing the nation's housing challenges and strengthening the foundation of the American Dream; safe, stable, and attainable housing. By advancing policies that support increased housing supply and reduce barriers to development, this legislation will help communities across the country better meet the growing demand for quality housing.

"AAA is particularly encouraged by the positive impact this bill will have on Alabamians. Expanding housing opportunities and improving affordability are critical priorities for our state, and this legislation represents important progress toward those goals. A stronger housing ecosystem benefits residents, supports workforce stability, and helps ensure that communities throughout Alabama can continue to grow and thrive.

"The Alabama Apartment Association is proud to support this legislation and looks forward to working with policymakers and industry partners to ensure its successful implementation in a way that benefits both housing providers and the residents they serve."

Alabama Association of Realtors: "The Alabama Association of REALTORS thanks Senator Katie Britt for her leadership and support of the ROAD to Housing Act, an important first step toward addressing housing affordability challenges across the country.

"While this legislation represents meaningful progress, more work remains in Washington and here in Alabama to reduce unnecessary government regulations, increase housing supply, and allow the free market to help deliver more housing opportunities for individuals and families." - Jeremy Walker, CEO

Alabama Habitat for Humanity: "Alabama Habitat for Humanity applauds Senator Britt's work and support in advancing the passage of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This landmark legislation represents a meaningful step towards bringing homeownership within reach for more Alabama families. Through more than 50 provisions, it delivers long-overdue reforms that will expand housing supply, modernize critical programs, and drive innovative solutions to address our nation's housing affordability challenges."

Home Builders Association of Alabama: "The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a major step to addressing the issues facing new home construction and home ownership in general. The affordability issue has led to the lack of attainable housing for too many Alabamians. Senator Britt's leadership on this issue is much appreciated and will lead to more of our friends and neighbors having the opportunity to realize the American dream of homeownership."

"We commend the efforts of Senator Britt and Congress to address not only the unnecessary regulatory burdens created by federal agencies, but to create programs to help local and state officials do the same. Collective problems require collective solutions. This Act is the collective solution." - Jim Mathews, HBAA 1st Vice President.

Navigate Affordable Housing Partners: "Navigate Affordable Housing Partners celebrates the enactment of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and Senator Britt's leadership on provisions that will ensure families are able to access housing, gain economic independence, and strengthen communities.

"We are particularly appreciative of provisions like the Helping More Families Save Act, which will be critical to economic independence and help make homeownership a reality. Other provisions, like the Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act (HUDVA), will help ensure a veteran's disability benefits do not become a barrier to accessing housing.

"As a nonprofit, Navigate has worked for nearly fifty years to ensure housing is safe, affordable, and attainable for Alabamians, and for the families we serve across the country.

"We look forward to working with our federal, state, and local government partners and industry colleagues to help implement this landmark legislation."

Senator Britt also received praise from national leaders:

Compass Working Capital: "The inclusion of the Helping More Families Save Act in Congress' bipartisan housing bill once again reaffirms that housing assistance can and should build lasting economic security for American families.

"The Family Self-Sufficiency Program has long demonstrated what is possible when we invest in families, and this legislation expands that promise to countless more families across the country. We are grateful for Senator Britt and her Congressional colleagues for their leadership and steadfast commitment to passing the Helping More Families Save Act." - Markita Morris-Louis, CEO

National NeighborWorks Association: "The enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important milestone in addressing our nation's housing affordability and supply challenges.

"On behalf of the National NeighborWorks Association and our nearly 250 NeighborWorks organizations serving communities across the country, we thank Senator Katie Britt for her leadership in helping make this landmark legislation a reality. The NeighborWorks network sees the housing crisis firsthand every day, and from the dedicated NeighborWorks organizations serving communities throughout Alabama to those working in neighborhoods across the nation, our members are expanding homeownership opportunities, developing and preserving affordable housing, revitalizing neighborhoods, and helping families achieve financial stability. The enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act provides meaningful, bipartisan reforms that will strengthen these efforts, expand housing opportunities, and improve the lives of families and communities for years to come. We look forward to continuing our work with Senator Britt and Congress to build on this momentum and ensure communities have the resources they need to meet America's growing housing needs." - Lou Tisler, Executive Director

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