Editorial: Bipartisan housing bill would place more homes within Americans' reach

An overwhelmingly bipartisan vote in the U.S. House and Senate - a rarity nowadays - reflects both parties' concerns with rising housing costs nationwide and shows that political compromise is still possible in Washington, even as President Donald Trump has refused to sign the resulting housing bill.

The bill has the potential to modernize federal housing programs, streamline regulations and encourage innovation.

Having said that, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is not perfect legislation. It creates federal regulatory power over the housing market. But it does so in the service of removing bureaucratic hurdles, a positive outcome that can speed up construction.

Even as politicians realize the need to provide affordable housing, local NIMBYism remains the greatest barrier to housing construction. Last year's ugly fight over a development in Pepper Square here in Dallas is a clear example. Too often, opposition to mixed-use development and new housing of any kind is misguided and a losing proposition for everyone.

This federal bill and recent state legislation are tackling housing affordability by removing obstacles to housing. Ultimately, what we need is a mix of housing at various price points and with reasonable density. Local, state and federal rules need to spur housing construction with the right incentives. This legislation works in that spirit.

For one, the bill would speed up construction by making environmental reviews timely and less burdensome. It would direct the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to offer guidance on zoning for local communities. The legislation also grants greater flexibility in existing loan and grant programs to support rebuilding older homes and converting vacant buildings.

The bill also expands the definition of manufactured housing. A Bipartisan Policy Center analyst argues this will make it cheaper and easier to mass produce these types of homes, unlocking a segment of the market.

We would also highlight that the bill places new restrictions on the purchase of single-family homes by large institutional investors. These investors are making it harder for everyday Americans to afford a home.

It will take time to see the effects of these measures, but they should help to increase the supply of homes in the long run. There are other variables at play, like the cost of materials and labor, but this bill will have a major impact.

Trump has conditioned signing this bill on the passage of the SAVE America Act, an unrelated bill that adds voter identification requirements. But House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said the president would not veto the bill either.

This is an easy win for the American people. The president should get on board.

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This story was originally published July 5, 2026 at 1:04 AM.