As part of LoCAR's continuing effort to inform the general public of real estate issues, the following article was submitted to the Morning Journal and The Chronicle-Telegram:
On July 11, 2026, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was signed into law, representing the most significant federal housing legislation in decades. This bipartisan achievement reflects years of collaboration among lawmakers, industry partners, and REALTORS® across the country who worked together to address one of the greatest challenges facing homebuyers today—housing affordability and housing supply.
The legislation includes nearly 50 housing-related provisions designed to help increase the nation's housing inventory, reduce barriers to development, and create more opportunities for individuals and families to achieve the dream of homeownership.
This milestone would not have been possible without the advocacy efforts of the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) and thousands of REALTORS® who engaged with elected officials, shared their firsthand experiences from their local markets, and emphasized the need for practical housing solutions. Their commitment helped keep housing at the forefront of the national conversation.
While the legislation contains nearly 50 individual housing measures, the provisions below are among those most likely to impact REALTORS®, buyers, sellers, and housing inventory:
- Increasing Housing Supply – Creates incentives for communities to encourage the construction of more housing, helping address inventory shortages.
- Reducing Development Barriers – Streamlines certain federal processes to help bring new housing developments to market more efficiently.
- Supporting Manufactured and Modular Housing – Expands opportunities for more affordable housing options by modernizing federal policies.
- Encouraging Adaptive Reuse Projects – Promotes the conversion of vacant office buildings and other underused properties into residential housing.
- Redeveloping Vacant Properties – Supports efforts to return underutilized properties to productive residential use.
- Strengthening Housing Infrastructure – Improves coordination among federal housing programs to better serve communities.
- Expanding Housing Counseling – Increases access to homebuyer education and financial counseling for prospective homeowners.
- Encouraging Innovation – Establishes pilot programs to identify new approaches to improving housing affordability.
- Supporting Local Housing Solutions – Rewards communities that implement policies to increase housing availability.
- Promoting Long-Term Affordability – Advances policies intended to expand homeownership opportunities for future generations.
- Improving Market Opportunities – As additional housing inventory enters the market, buyers may have more choices while sellers benefit from a healthier, more balanced marketplace.
These provisions are expected to support stronger housing markets by creating additional inventory, improving affordability, and expanding opportunities for homeownership—benefiting both consumers and the real estate professionals who serve them.
This legislation represents more than a policy victory. Increasing housing supply and improving affordability can create stronger, healthier housing markets, provide greater opportunities for buyers and sellers, and support the long-term vitality of our communities.
While this legislation marks an important step forward, the work is far from complete. NAR continues to advocate for additional policies that will further strengthen the housing market, including modernizing the federal capital gains tax exclusion for the sale of a primary residence to better serve today's homeowners, particularly seniors and middle-income families.
REALTORS® know that homeownership changes lives. Every transaction represents a family, an investment, and a stronger community. Together, we will continue working to expand opportunities for homeownership, protecting private property rights, and ensure a bright future for the real estate profession.
