House of Representatives Passes Historic Housing Package, Sending Legislation to President’s Desk

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the House of Representatives passed the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act with overwhelming bipartisan support. The historic housing package includes numerous bills introduced and supported by Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), including proposals to modernize the HOME and Rural Housing Service programs, expand development of manufactured housing, and incentivize the creation of affordable housing in communities nationwide. The legislation will now head to the president's desk to be signed into law.

"The cost of housing is the number one concern of American families. The historic housing package passed today is the culmination of years of bipartisan work to cut unnecessary red tape, modernize federal housing programs, and address our national housing affordability crisis," said Ranking Member Cleaver. "Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood, and I have worked tirelessly to bridge partisan divides and forge bipartisan solutions that will lower housing costs and revitalize the American dream for hardworking families in Missouri and all across this great nation. I'm extremely proud of the overwhelming support this legislation was able to garner in a deeply divided Congress, and I am hopeful it will serve as a blueprint for lawmakers seeking to address other challenges facing the American people."

The 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes numerous provisions sponsored by Ranking Member Cleaver, including:

• Innovation Fund: The innovation fund is a section first proposed in the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). This section authorizes a seven-year $200 million annual competitive grant program for jurisdictions pursuing innovative policies, interventions, or programs for increasing housing supply.
• HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood (R-NE), the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program since authorization in 1990. The legislation includes provisions introduced by Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and would modernize and update the federal government's largest block grant program dedicated exclusively to creating and preserving affordable housing for low-income households.
• Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant US Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, ensure continued rental assistance for tenants in properties with expiring protections, and make it easier for nonprofits to buy and preserve housing.
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act: The legislation includes sections of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), representing a major reform to HUD's Section 8 program. The included sections would streamline inspections, increase access to housing for voucher holders, and encourage private landlord participation.
• Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs.
• HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler (R-NY), the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress.

Official text of the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act is available here.

A one-pager on the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act is available here.

A section-by-section of the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.