Federal Impacts
Housing Reform Win: 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Crosses the Finish Line
summary
- Congress passed the much-anticipated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
- Passage validates the central role that community planning plays in solving the housing crisis.
- APA and its members had an active hand in getting this legislation across the finish line by endorsing individual bills, advocating on the Hill, engaging with policymakers, partnering with other national organizations and coalitions, and elevating the value of planning in solving community challenges.
Congress passed the much-anticipated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act in a landslide vote on June 23, 2026, marking a years-in-the-making win for planning advocates and their communities nationwide. For planners, the bill is more than a federal housing package.
“This is a breakthrough moment for housing and the communities working to deliver more homes,” said American Planning Association (APA) President Sue Schwartz, FAICP. “Planners know that increasing supply requires more than good intentions, it requires modern tools, local capacity, and a clear path from plans to implementation. This legislation recognizes the essential role of planning in helping communities lower barriers, expand housing choices, and turn housing goals into homes. APA has long championed these planning-led solutions, and we stand ready to support planners and communities as they put these new tools to work.”
Passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act validates the central role that community planning plays in solving the housing crisis. Planners will be empowered as agents of local change through provisions that encourage zoning reform and planning innovations, including:
- More support for zoning reform, including model zoning and land-use codes.
- New tools for faster implementation, including pre-approved plans and pattern books.
- Expanded housing production options, including modular and manufactured housing.
- Federal recognition of code innovation, including single-stair permitting guidelines.
- Continued support for core programs, including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, HOME, and disaster recovery.
Zoning Reform Tools You Can Use
Your Playbook for Housing Reform
Planners, homebuilders, local elected officials, and other key housing partners worked together in the Housing Supply Accelerator to identify reforms that communities can deploy to create housing abundance.
See why tools like pre-approved plans, modular and manufactured housing, and more are in this expert playbook of housing solutions.
After extended negotiations and differing versions approved by the House and Senate, the final compromise bill preserves key planning provisions that support housing supply and affordability, while restoring important programs and incentives — including a CDBG pilot incentive program and authorization for CDBG-disaster recovery.
The bill also focuses on policy changes to improve the efficiency of federal programs and to provide best-practice models and guidance, including the APA-endorsed Housing Supply Frameworks Act, which provides clear models and analysis for local code reform.
APA and its members had an active hand in getting this legislation across the finish line by endorsing individual bills, advocating on the Hill, engaging with policymakers, partnering with other national organizations and coalitions, and elevating the value of planning in solving community challenges.
“Passage of this landmark bill is the result of dedicated advocates and expert planners providing insights into the policies we need to lead real change in how we plan, permit, and produce housing,” said Jason Jordan, principal, public affairs at APA. “This bill lays the foundation for real change by advancing planning solutions that lower costs, increase opportunity, and improve communities.”
Planners Advocating for Change
At the virtual Planners’ Day on Capitol Hill, planners from across the country met with their Congressional representatives to advocate for federal support for local zoning reform — including the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
See how planners’ effort to deepen relationships with their elected officials creates more informed decision-making and solutions for housing challenges.
APA will continue to analyze the legislation, share what it means for planners, and help members put new federal tools to work in their communities.
Want to stay engaged? Join APA's Planners' Advocacy Network for timely updates on federal action affecting planning and communities.