Fong Votes to Lower Housing Costs, Send Bipartisan Bill to President's Desk

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending the bipartisan affordable housing legislation to the President's desk. Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) voted in support of this bill to expand housing supply, cut unnecessary regulatory barriers, and restore affordability in the American housing market.

California home prices are among the most expensive in the nation, with mid-tier homes averaging approximately $775,000, more than twice the typical mid-tier U.S. home, largely as a result of state-imposed regulations and mandates. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act addresses unaffordable housing costs straining working families by incentivizing development, lifting regulatory burdens, and creating more lending opportunities.

"For years, we have seen too many people priced out of homeownership, with rising costs and burdensome regulations pushing the American Dream out of reach. Hardworking Americans, especially those in the Central Valley, deserve the chance to own a home and build a better future for their families," said Congressman Fong. "Building more houses, cutting red tape, empowering local and rural lenders, and modernizing outdated federal programs is exactly how we lower costs and make housing more affordable. This bipartisan bill delivers real, commonsense solutions for working families. I was proud to vote for it and look forward to seeing it signed into law."

Specifically, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:

• Removes unnecessary regulatory barriers by allowing the use of pre-approved home designs so builders can get permits faster, and by encouraging states and localities to ease zoning restrictions and allow more housing types.
• Delivers on President Trump's agenda by including oversight of institutional investors competing against everyday Americans in the housing market.
• Streamlines federal and local housing processes and exempts infill housing developments from burdensome federal environmental reviews.
• Modernizes HUD programs including updating rules for manufactured and modular homes, modernizing the HOME Program, and strengthening housing counseling programs for first-time buyers.
• Expands rental assistance options for low-income families while adding new tenant protections and accountability requirements.
• Launches pilots for small-dollar mortgages to expand access to homeownership for working families.
• Protects veterans by requiring lenders to show them a side-by-side cost comparison with VA Home Loan options.
• Unlocks unused government land for housing development to increase supply without spending new federal dollars.
• Empowers community and rural banks to lend more freely in their own communities, putting capital where it's needed most.

"Sacramento's regulatory overreach has made California one of the most expensive places in the nation to build or buy a home," Congressman Fong continued. "This bipartisan bill leads where Sacramento has failed. I look forward to seeing it become law so we can help make homeownership attainable again for Central Valley families and Americans across the country."