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A sweeping bipartisan housing affordability package moved one step closer to becoming law Monday after the Senate overwhelmingly approved legislation designed to boost home construction, curb institutional investors’ influence in the housing market and address one of Americans’ top economic concerns.
The Senate voted 85-5 to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending the measure to the House for what supporters hope will be a final vote before it heads to President Donald Trump’s desk.
The legislation represents one of the most significant bipartisan achievements of Trump’s second term and comes as Republicans face growing political pressure over rising housing costs and broader concerns about affordability ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Several senators missed the vote due to severe thunderstorms that disrupted travel in the Washington region and temporarily halted flights at Ronald Reagan National Airport.
Bipartisan Coalition Pushes Housing Package Forward
The bill emerged from months of negotiations between key lawmakers from both parties, including Sen. Tim Scott, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Rep. French Hill and Rep. Maxine Waters.
The final compromise seeks to increase housing supply through grants and funding programs aimed at encouraging new construction while reducing regulatory barriers that often delay development projects.
A centerpiece of the legislation is a provision titled “Homes Are For People, Not Corporations,” which places restrictions on large institutional investors purchasing single-family homes.
Supporters argue that institutional investment firms have contributed to housing shortages and higher home prices by purchasing large numbers of residential properties.
Addressing Housing Supply and Investor Ownership
The legislation includes several measures intended to accelerate homebuilding by empowering local governments to streamline approval processes and reduce bureaucratic hurdles.
Republicans have emphasized provisions aimed at reducing regulations and expanding housing inventory.
Hill described the bill as a meaningful step toward increasing housing supply, improving affordability and helping more Americans achieve homeownership.
Democrats have highlighted the investor restrictions as a major victory.
Warren said the measure is designed to prevent private equity firms from buying up housing stock and driving up costs for consumers.
One proposal ultimately removed from the final package would have required large investors owning or constructing at least 350 single-family homes to sell those properties after seven years. House lawmakers objected to that provision during negotiations.
Political Stakes for Republicans
The housing bill arrives at a critical moment for Republicans as polling shows voter dissatisfaction with the economy and cost-of-living issues.
An Associated Press poll conducted in June found Trump’s overall approval rating at 37%, while only 33% of respondents approved of his handling of the economy.
Other surveys have shown persistent voter concerns about inflation, housing affordability and the broader cost of living.
An NBC News poll conducted in June found nearly 80% of Americans believe achieving the American Dream is more difficult today than it was for previous generations.
Republicans hope the housing package will demonstrate progress on a kitchen-table issue that affects millions of Americans.
Trump’s Limited Role in Negotiations
Although Trump has previously criticized large Wall Street investment firms for purchasing residential properties, lawmakers involved in negotiations said the president was not heavily involved in crafting the legislation.
White House officials nevertheless praised the bill after its Senate passage.
White House spokesman Davis Ingle said the administration worked alongside congressional leaders to advance policies supporting Trump’s housing affordability agenda.
Some Republican lawmakers acknowledged the president was supportive but not deeply engaged throughout the lengthy legislative process.
Sen. John Kennedy noted that while Trump wanted a housing bill passed, he was not actively pushing lawmakers through the final stages of negotiations.
Next Steps
The House is expected to vote on the legislation within days.
If approved, the bill would head to Trump for his signature, potentially delivering a rare bipartisan legislative victory focused on one of the nation’s most pressing economic challenges.
With housing affordability remaining a dominant concern for voters, both parties are likely to tout the legislation as Congress heads toward a highly competitive 2026 election cycle.
