U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the leaders of the Senate Banking Committee, introduced a bipartisan legislative package that seeks to boost the nation’s housing supply.
The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act of 2025 looks to boost the nation’s housing supply, improve housing affordability, and increase oversight and efficiency of federal regulators and housing programs. It is the committee’s first bipartisan housing markup in over a decade.
“Since taking over as Ranking Member in 2022, I pledged to make housing a top priority and put forward commonsense reforms to reverse decades of failed housing policies. Now, as Chairman, I’m proud to lead the committee in considering comprehensive legislation that will increase access to affordable housing for Americans across the country. This is a collaborative effort that includes the work of my colleagues across the committee, and I look forward to advancing these solutions to the full Senate,” Scott, chair of the committee said.
Specifically, the ROAD to Housing Act would:
- Remove regulatory barriers to housing development;
- Increase and preserve existing housing;
- Promote innovative construction methods, including expanding access to modular and manufactured housing;
- Address neighborhood blight and supports communities recovering from natural disasters;
- Expand access to homeownership;
- Improve housing affordability;
- Promote housing opportunities for veterans;
- Reduce homelessness;
- Reduce appraisal shortages while addressing inaccurate appraisals;
- Ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently;
- Promote evidence-based policy solutions;
- Strengthen oversight of housing regulators;
- Streamline program coordination; and
- Ensure performance, transparency, and accountability across housing programs.
“With this historic bipartisan bill, we are taking a critical first step to bring down families’ number one monthly expense–housing costs. I’ve been calling on Congress to address our nation’s housing shortage for years, and I’m proud to work with Chair Scott and our entire Committee to put forward legislation that will boost housing supply, reduce homelessness, and expand homeownership for families,” Warren, ranking member of the committee, said.
Scott elaborated on the bill in a speech on the Senate floor.
“For far too long, Congress believed this problem was too big to solve. Today, we’re taking not a step – but we’re taking a leap in the right direction in a bipartisan fashion. Many people around the country are frustrated with the way we do American politics wonder, is there any issue that brings this nation together and I’m here to say, halleluiah! We have found one – it is housing. And halleluiah is a southern term, but it’s a term of endearment,” Scott said.
The proposal drew praise from the industry, including the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
“MBA applauds and supports the Senate Banking Committee’s favorable reporting of this significant package that will help make housing more affordable and available to households in both urban and rural communities across America,” MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit said. “Many of the bill’s provisions will help to boost housing supply for both owning and renting, streamline federal housing program offerings, and make small-dollar mortgage lending more available to consumers.”