U.S. House panel to move on housing bill in coming weeks – Punchbowl
TL;DR
The U.S. House is advancing a bipartisan housing bill to streamline construction and reduce barriers, but faces challenges reconciling with a Senate bill and addressing issues like a ban on institutional investors buying homes.
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U.S. House panel to move on housing bill in coming weeks – Punchbowl
The U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to advance the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a bipartisan effort aimed at addressing the nation’s housing crisis, as lawmakers seek to streamline construction and regulatory processes according to recent reports. The bill, introduced by Reps. French Hill (R-Ark.) and Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), includes provisions to reduce barriers to housing development, such as streamlining permitting and zoning reforms. However, challenges remain in aligning the House bill with the Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act, which has faced delays and political friction.
The Senate Banking Committee, led by Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), has prioritized the ROAD to Housing Act, which focuses on accelerating infrastructure and housing projects. Despite bipartisan support, the Senate has yet to finalize a vote, and differences between the House and Senate bills complicate reconciliation efforts. Warren has criticized House Republicans for delaying progress, noting that the Senate’s bill could have been enacted months ago.
A contentious issue in both chambers is the proposed ban on institutional investors purchasing single-family homes—a policy championed by the Biden administration and supported by some Republicans, including Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio). While the House bill does not currently include this provision, the White House has emphasized its importance for stabilizing housing markets. House Financial Services Committee Chair Hill has stated he will await results from a Treasury Department report before committing to the ban.
The path forward remains uncertain, as lawmakers navigate partisan divides and competing priorities. With housing affordability and supply chain challenges persisting, the outcome of these legislative efforts will have significant implications for developers, lenders, and homeowners. Investors and industry stakeholders are closely monitoring developments, particularly how the final legislation balances regulatory efficiency with market stability.
