U.S. housing legislation aimed at easing affordability pressures is gaining traction in Congress, with analysts pointing to growing bipartisan support that could set up passage next year.
U.S. housing legislation aimed at easing affordability pressures is gaining traction in Congress, with analysts pointing to growing bipartisan support that could set up passage next year.
Raymond James analysts said housing and financial deregulation are getting a boost from recent congressional action, with manufactured and multifamily housing emerging as the most favourably positioned areas.
Both features prominently in House and Senate proposals focused on accelerating construction and lowering barriers to supply.
The House Financial Services Committee this week advanced the Housing for the 21st Century Act in a 50-1 bipartisan vote, an unusually lopsided outcome that analysts see as a positive signal for the bill’s prospects.
The committee action followed the Senate’s passage of its own housing package, the ROAD to Housing Act, which was also included in the Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Raymond James said the tone of the committee debate stood out for its constructive and bipartisan nature, even as lawmakers acknowledged the bill is an initial step rather than a complete solution.
This dynamic increases the likelihood of continued progress on housing reform in the new year.
At a high level, the House bill seeks to streamline and modernize federal housing programs. Key provisions include guidance on zoning best practices, new HUD grants to support pre-approved housing designs and regional planning, higher loan limits for multifamily construction, and changes to federal permitting rules to shorten approval timelines.
The bill also aims to expand adoption of manufactured and modular housing by removing certain structural requirements and establishing HUD as the primary regulator.
Several amendments were added during committee markup, including measures tied to veteran homeownership and expanded height limits for certain multifamily buildings.
The bill is expected to head to the House floor in early 2026, setting up negotiations with the Senate in the spring. Raymond James said the House and Senate packages overlap in many areas, though differences remain around the scale of incentives and financing support.