The Senate’s recent passing of the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act was part of its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The housing bill aims to incentivize communities to rethink policies that may inhibit new home construction and small-dollar mortgages.
The Senate broke its gridlock on the NDAA when it voted 77-20 on Oct. 10 to move the measure forward with the housing bill included within the $924.7 billion defense spending bill for fiscal year 2026. The Senate Banking Committee voted 24-0 to advance the ROAD to Housing Act in July.
A coalition of 28 trade organizations representing the mortgage industry and affordable housing advocates voiced their support for the measure in September, urging lawmakers to bring the measure to the floor for full Senate consideration.
“Today (Oct. 14), the Senate took a historic step towards addressing our nation’s worsening housing crisis and bringing down costs for the American people by passing the bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act,” Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott (R-S.C.) said in a statement following the vote. “This landmark legislation — the first of its kind in more than a decade — takes important steps to boost the nation’s housing supply, improve housing affordability, and increase oversight and efficiency of federal regulators and housing programs. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House to get the bill to the president’s desk.”
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer Shannon McGahn issued the following statement after the Senate passed the bill.
“NAR applauds the Senate for passing this bipartisan legislation that addresses housing supply, affordability and homeownership pathways. At a time when homeownership increasingly feels out of reach, this legislation offers meaningful, pragmatic solutions to restore opportunity for millions of American families. We commend Chair Senator Tim Scott and Ranking Member Sen. Elizabeth Warren for their bipartisan leadership on this critical issue. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration to enact this vital legislation and help preserve the American dream of homeownership for future generations.”
Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) President and CEO Bob Broeksmit also issued a statement welcoming the bill’s passage.
“The Senate’s passage of the ROAD to Housing Act is a win for housing affordability and consumers,” he said. “Many of the provisions within the bipartisan measure are aimed to take meaningful steps to boost housing supply, cut red tape in federal program offerings, and expand access to affordable mortgage credit for families nationwide.”
Broeksmit praised the work of policymakers across the aisle on legislation championing what he referred to as “practical, bipartisan solutions on housing issues.”
“As the bill moves to the House, MBA will stay fully engaged with congressional leaders in both chambers to strengthen key provisions — including those dealing with lender liability and second appraisals — to ensure the final package delivers meaningful results for consumers, lenders, and the communities they serve,” he added.
It is unclear when the bill will come up for a vote in the House as the chamber remains out of session and the federal government remains in a state of shutdown.