Published June 24, 2026

Landmark Housing Bill Clears Congress

Written by Bob Walsmith Jr.

Landmark Housing Bill Clears Congress

NAR helped drive the most significant housing legislation in nearly 20 years. The bill now heads to President Trump for his signature.

Congress passed landmark housing affordability legislation Tuesday, advancing one of the most significant federal housing packages in nearly two decades.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act now heads to President Trump, who is expected to soon sign the measure into law.

The legislation is the culmination of nearly two years of sustained advocacy by the National Association of REALTORS^® and its nearly 1.5 million members. During that time, NAR worked closely with lawmakers in both parties, holding thousands of meetings with members of Congress and their staffs, commissioning original research and public opinion polling, launching targeted calls for action and providing technical expertise on housing policy solutions.

NAR members helped deliver the final push toward passage last week when nearly 8,000 REALTORS^® traveled to Washington, D.C., for the REALTORS^® Legislative Meetings. During hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill, REALTORS^® urged lawmakers to move the legislation across the finish line.

“We are deeply grateful for the leadership and commitment shown by members of the House and Senate, as well as the White House, to do something big on housing affordability,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. “This is the most significant housing legislation to pass Congress in nearly 20 years. At a time when affordability remains one of the nation’s greatest challenges, lawmakers came together in a bipartisan way to advance solutions that will help communities build more homes, expand housing opportunities, and strengthen pathways to homeownership.”

"This achievement is a testament to REALTORS^® across America who engaged in the process, shared their expertise, and made their voices heard," McGahn says. "Housing is a bipartisan issue. Every community in America is feeling the effects of our housing shortage, and this legislation reflects what can happen when lawmakers work together to address real challenges facing American families."

Why This Matters

The legislation comes at a critical time for the housing market. After more than a decade of underbuilding, NAR estimates the United States faces a housing shortage of approximately 4.7 million homes. The lack of available inventory has driven up prices, limited options for buyers, and made homeownership increasingly difficult for many Americans, especially first-time and first-generation home buyers.

The shortage is particularly acute for middle-income households. According to NAR research, roughly 310,000 homes priced at $261,000 or less are missing from the market, leaving many working families with few affordable options. As demand continues to outpace supply, prospective buyers are often forced to compete for a limited number of homes or delay purchasing altogether.

NAR's Road to ROAD

“The path to final passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act was long, but it demonstrates how major legislation is built and how sustained advocacy can produce meaningful results,” McGahn says. “Our work on this bill spanned two NAR presidents—Kevin Sears and Kevin Brown—both of whom testified before Congress in support of the measure.”

The final package combines nearly 50 individual housing proposals addressing housing supply, affordability, financing, zoning, workforce development, fair housing, property rehabilitation, and other housing challenges. NAR engaged in every component of the legislation, providing research, policy recommendations, technical expertise, and real-world perspectives from housing markets across the country.

From committee hearings and stakeholder meetings to floor votes and final negotiations, members of NAR helped ensure lawmakers had the information and local insights needed to advance meaningful housing solutions.

The result is a bipartisan housing package designed to increase housing opportunities, support housing production, and help more Americans achieve the dream of homeownership.

For nearly two years, NAR members across the country made this legislation a national priority. Through meetings with lawmakers, grassroots advocacy, research, polling, testimony, and direct engagement on Capitol Hill, NAR members helped build the momentum that ultimately carried the legislation to passage.

“You can’t build an advocacy operation like this overnight,” McGahn says. “It took years of building relationships with policymakers, backing our case with NAR research and sustained engagement from REALTORS^® across the country.”