On July 11, 2026, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law after passing Congress with broad bipartisan support. Its goal is to address the housing affordability crisis by increasing housing supply, reducing costs, and streamlining construction processes.
Context
Although the bill passed without difficulty in both chambers of Congress and was enacted in response to a request from the president himself during his most recent State of the Union address, President Trump canceled the signing ceremony before it took place, insisting that the Senate first pass the SAVE America Act.
Following the cancellation of the ceremony, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson sent the bill to the president on June 29, 2026. Since the president neither signed nor vetoed it within the time limit set by the U.S. Constitution, the bill automatically became law on July 11, 2026.
The Right to Housing
Having a home is essential to living with dignity. Despite being increasingly seen as a commodity, housing is the basis of stability and security for a person or family, and is recognized under international law as a basic human right.
The right to housing is recognized as a fundamental human right in international instruments such as the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1966 International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.
The Housing Affordability Crisis
Buying a home is becoming increasingly difficult for millions of people in the United States due to the steady rise in prices. According to the real estate broker Redfin, an American family needs to earn at least $110,000 a year to buy a typical home, which is about 29% higher than the median household income. As a result, only the top 38% of families can buy a home. Experts point to a supply shortage, with other brokers estimating that in 2025, there were 4 million fewer homes than what the market demanded.
What does the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act do?
Introduced by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Tim Scott (R-SC), this legislative proposal builds on a bill previously introduced in the House of Representatives and adds significant provisions to increase the housing supply, lower costs, and streamline regulations. Notable measures include:
The Vote
Against a backdrop of intense political polarization, the bill received rare bipartisan support. The bill’s two sponsors – Senator Warren and Senator Scott – emphasized that the housing crisis affects communities across the country, regardless of their political ideology.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was passed by a vote of 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House.
