House Financial Services Committee advances bipartisan Housing for the 21st Century Act with amendments

The House Financial Services Committee on Thursday advanced HR 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act, adopting an amendment-in-the-nature-of-a-substitute and a string of member amendments the panel’s leaders described as a bipartisan package to expand housing supply and reduce regulatory barriers.

Chairman Hill, the bill’s introducer, told the committee the measure “targets one of the most pressing issues of our time, our housing affordability challenge,” saying the package updates outdated federal programs, removes duplicative federal requirements and increases local flexibility. Ranking Member Maxine Waters said the bill is “an important first step” but warned that policy reform must be matched by funding if it is to produce more homes.

The substitute and floor text adopted by the committee include reforms to zoning and land-use reviews, tailored environmental reviews for HUD and USDA projects, changes to the HOME Investment Partnerships program, and provisions aimed at expanding manufactured and small-dollar mortgage financing. Members highlighted a provision to remove an outdated permanent chassis requirement for some manufactured homes, which supporters said will cut costs and broaden design options.

Rep. Mike Flood, chair of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, outlined key sections, including HOME program modernization and measures to make environmental reviews more proportionate to project impact. “These are reforms that will let private capital go to work in the marketplace and help more housing break ground on time and on budget,” Flood said.

Rep. Joyce Beatty’s amendment to incorporate Home Investment Partnership reauthorization language and provide targeted flexibility for small properties and community land trusts was adopted by the committee. Representative Ritchie Torres’s amendment raising the permissible height for single‑stair (point‑access) buildings from five to six stories also was agreed to by the majority.

Ranking Member Waters repeatedly urged parallel action on funding, and during floor debate she offered — then withdrew — a broad funding amendment that sought larger federal investments. The chair and other supporters said the package is intended to be a bipartisan, administrable first step and that appropriations would be addressed by the Appropriations Committee.

The committee voted to order HR 6644 as amended to be reported to the House with a favorable recommendation; when the electronic tally was taken it was reported by the clerk as 50 ayes and 1 nay. The committee authorized staff to make technical and conforming changes before transmittal to the House floor. The committee also signaled additional housing hearings and markups planned for the coming months and invited HUD Secretary Scott Turner to appear for further oversight and discussion.

What’s next: The committee has ordered the bill reported to the House; staff will prepare the report and any supplemental views before the measure is placed on the floor calendar.