CHICAGO (February 10, 2026) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act, by a bipartisan vote of 309–9. The legislation represents a significant step toward addressing the nation’s housing affordability crisis by prioritizing supply-side solutions and reducing regulatory barriers to housing development.
The Housing for the 21st Century Act advances several key policies aimed at increasing housing production, improving program efficiency, and supporting affordability at the state and local levels. Major provisions included in the legislation are:
- The Housing Supply Frameworks Act (H.R. 2840), which directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to publish guidelines and best practices for state and local zoning frameworks to encourage housing development
- The HOME Reform Act of 2025 (H.R. 5878), which reauthorizes and modernizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program. Notably, the bill exempts HOME-funded projects from Build America, Buy America requirements that have often delayed or deterred affordable housing construction
- The Identifying Barriers to Housing Supply Act (H.R. 4659), requiring Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients to publicly report on efforts to reduce restrictive land-use and zoning policies
- Inspection reforms from the Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2025 (H.R. 1981), which streamline duplicative and burdensome inspection requirements that have impeded the lease-up of Housing Choice Voucher holders
“This legislation reflects growing bipartisan recognition that increasing housing supply is essential to improving affordability,” says 2026 IREM President Mindy Gronbeck, CPM®, CCIM. “By reducing unnecessary barriers and strengthening federal housing programs, we can better support property managers and owners in meeting housing demand while advancing IREM’s strategic commitment to building stronger, more connected communities.”
IREM joins our coalition partners and other national associations in supporting this act by signing a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging the bill’s swift adoption.
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