House Passes Bipartisan Housing Act 390-9

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act on Monday in a bipartisan vote of 390 to 9, marking a rare show of unity on efforts to address the nation's housing shortage. The legislation, which seeks to expand housing supply by reducing regulatory barriers and modernizing federal programs, now advances to the Senate for consideration.

Sponsored by House Financial Services Committee Chair French Hill, a Republican from Arkansas, and Ranking Member Maxine Waters, a Democrat from California, the bill cleared the committee in December with strong support. It passed under suspension of the rules, a procedure reserved for noncontroversial measures that expedites approval. More than 50 organizations, ranging from free-market advocates to affordable housing coalitions, endorsed the package before the vote.

The act includes over 20 provisions focused on increasing housing availability rather than expanding subsidies. Key elements involve updating the Department of Housing and Urban Development's HOME Investment Partnerships Program to broaden eligibility and allow funds for housing-related infrastructure. It also revises the Community Development Block...