The House voted 390-9 in favor of passing H.R. 6644, the “Housing for the 21st Century Act,” which includes a variety of housing reform initiatives supported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).

The legislation was first introduced to the Housing Financial Services Committee (FSC) in December, shortly after the House decided to remove language from the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) from its version of the National Defense Authorization Act.

H.R. 6644 was sponsored by FSC Chairman French Hill (R-Ark.), Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Chairman Mike Flood (R-Neb.), and Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.).  

It was designed to reduce regulatory barriers that can contribute to higher housing costs, modernize federal housing programs and improve access to capital for builders and lenders. The goal of the reforms described in the bill is to increase housing supply, promote affordability and expand access to homeownership throughout the country.

NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn noted the organization’s strong support for the legislation.

“[NAR] applauds the House for passing the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a meaningful and bipartisan step toward addressing America’s housing affordability crisis,” McGahn said. “With the nation facing a shortage of roughly 5 million homes and first-time buyers now entering the market at a median age of 40, bold action to expand supply and remove barriers to homeownership has never been more urgent.”

“Buying a home remains one of the greatest drivers of generational wealth and long-term financial stability. And our recent national survey shows that 85 percent of voters still believe homeownership is part of the American dream,” she added. 

McGahn also emphasized that NAR would continue to work with Congress to “advance bipartisan legislation that delivers practical solutions that help communities build more housing and expand access to homeownership in the 21st century.”

MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit also expressed support for the act.

“Housing affordability is a top concern for homeowners, renters and communities across the country,” Broeksmit said in a statement. “Today’s overwhelming bipartisan vote signals meaningful legislative momentum to expand supply, improve affordability and modernize housing policy.”

He pointed out the legislation would update Federal Housing Administration (FHA) multifamily loan limits and provide targeted support for construction and rehabilitation efforts.

Additionally, the bill would seek to streamline federal housing program offerings, such as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program and its Community Development Block Grant program, while also improving financing options for the U.S. Department of Agriculture loans issued by the agency’s Rural Housing Service, among other provisions.

“This legislation advances several core MBA priorities, including regulatory modernization, broader FHA multifamily financing, stronger rural housing programs and better coordination across federal housing agencies,” Broeksmit said. “Many of these provisions also mirror the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act, reflecting broad, bipartisan consensus in both chambers that housing affordability action is needed. We now urge the Senate to move swiftly and pass its bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act so that leaders in both chambers can reconcile their packages and send a landmark housing affordability measure to President Trump for signature as soon as possible.”