Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and Congressman French Hill (R-AR), Chairman of the Committee, issued the following statement after the House passed the ‘21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act,’ a sweeping bipartisan, bicameral housing package designed to increase housing supply, expand homeownership opportunities, strengthen housing programs, and reduce housing costs for Americans across the country. The legislation passed the House with a vote of 358-32 and now heads to the President to be signed into law.

Ranking Member Waters said:

“Housing has long been my number one priority because I know firsthand the impact on families when they cannot afford a safe, stable place to call home. First-time homebuyers are finding the dream of homeownership increasingly out of reach, seniors are being forced to choose between the basic necessities of paying for rent, food or medication, and individuals continue to be pushed into homelessness across the nation.

Nowhere is the affordability crisis more visible than in California, where housing costs remain among the highest in the nation. But this is not just a California problem—from urban areas to rural communities, Americans in every corner are feeling the weight of this housing crisis.

I want to thank Chairman Hill for his willingness to engage in honest negotiations, work through difficult disagreements, and remain focused on delivering results for the American people. While we did not agree on every issue, we never lost sight of the families, seniors, veterans, and communities counting on Congress to act. This bill proves that when we stay focused on the people we serve, bipartisan progress is still possible.”

Chairman Hill Added:

“For over two years, I have worked to give more Americans greater choice and affordability on the path to homeownership. Throughout the process, I have fought to increase the supply of housing, cut red tape, increase capital, and make local rules and zoning more competitive. We have achieved that by strengthening community banks, preventing institutional investors from outcompeting American families for homes, and modernizing building codes. This is a true bicameral, bipartisan product that demonstrates what can happen when both chambers work together to deliver real solutions. I thank Ranking Member Waters and Senate Banking Committee Chairman Tim Scott and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren for their work in advancing this housing package.”

###