On Wednesday, the National Association of Counties sent an Action Alert regarding the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644).
UPDATE & ACTION ALERT: Bipartisan Housing Bill Awaiting President’s Signature
Counties Must Act Now
Earlier today [Wednesday], NACo shared news that the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) was headed to the President’s desk for his signature. Shortly after that communication, the President issued a statement indicating he would not sign the bill until the U.S. Senate first passes the SAVE America Act (S. 1383), a separate elections overhaul bill. The signing for the housing package was canceled.
NACo is issuing this follow-up bulletin to update our members and call for immediate action.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act passed both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support – 89-10 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House. After nearly a year of negotiations, this is the most significant federal housing legislation in decades, and it reflects priorities NACo has long championed on behalf of county governments across the country.
WHY THIS BILL MATTERS TO COUNTIES
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act delivers real tools for counties:
- Standing authorization of the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, ending years-long delays in disaster recovery funding after major disasters
- Expanded CDBG flexibility to fund new housing construction for the first time
- HOME program reforms to better address workforce housing gaps and support neighborhood infrastructure
- Streamlined environmental review processes for low-impact housing projects
- New flexibility for counties leading local homelessness response
This bill was spearheaded and supported by Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) – a genuine example of Congress working across party lines to deliver for American families. Counties were at the table throughout this process, and the final text reflects our advocacy.
TAKE ACTION TODAY
NACo urges county leaders to take two immediate steps:
- CONTACT THE WHITE HOUSE: Urge the President to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act without delay.
- CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS: Urge them to oppose the SAVE America Act. Counties administer elections across the country, and NACo has serious concerns that the bill imposes significant unfunded mandates and significant risk liabilities for county election offices – shifting costs to local governments without providing the resources to meet them. NACo remains open to bipartisan reforms that ensure our elections remain safe and secure.
For more information, contact Mary-Ann Warmerdam, RCRC Senior Vice President, Government Affairs.