New bipartisan housing legislation speaks volumes about policymakers’ interest in implementing real change, housing advocates agreed during a panel discussion.
Key points:
- After years of supply and affordability challenges, “federal lawmakers are actually taking this seriously,” housing advocates said during an Aug. 12 panel discussion.
- The ROAD to Housing Act includes several proposals that could have long-term impacts on housing, and its bipartisan support bodes well for the industry.
- Despite this legislative progress, federal policies impacting the skilled labor workforce and material costs are expected to pose additional challenges.
Last month, President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into law – a piece of legislation most housing advocates described as a win for the industry, and part of a broader push at the federal level to address housing concerns that have been mounting for years.
“I’ve never seen such a focus by policymakers on solutions to the crisis,” added Manufactured Housing Institute CEO Lesli Gooch. “It’s our job to make sure those solutions will have the impact that we’re seeking.”
A key code revision: The ROAD to Housing Act would also introduce new policies and update the 50-year federal building code, “is something that the industry believes is necessary to address entry-level homebuyers,” Gooch said. But doing so would require collaboration at the state and local levels to ensure alignment with titling and licensing requirements.
“That will take some time, but we believe that’s a real housing supply opportunity – and one that needs to be implemented right away, ” Gooch said.
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