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People’s Self-Health Housing — The Blueprint – March 2026

by Community Contributor • March 24, 2026 • Comments Off

Housing advocates nationally are hoping that 2026 will be the pivotal year for affordable housing.

The U.S. Senate has passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with an overwhelming 89–10 bipartisan vote. This marks the most significant federal housing reform in decades and brings together the Housing for the 21st Century Act and the ROAD to Housing Act. Combined it has more than 40 provisions aimed at boosting supply, lowering costs, and modernizing how homes get built.

The new legislation directly addresses one of the biggest issues: we simply don’t have enough homes. Our nation needs housing of every kind — for renters, first?time buyers, families, seniors, and people with disabilities. The new bill aims to tackle this shortage by making it easier, faster, and less expensive to build.

By removing outdated regulations, streamlining review, and by making it quicker to get housing projects off the ground, the new Act will deliver more housing where it is most needed. It also looks to strengthening existing federal housing programs like HOME and Community Development Block Grants along with the ability use efficient building methods like pre-engineered and manufactured housing.

While the Senate has passed the bill, the lower House must still finalize a single unified version. Negotiators are working to align the legislation so it can be voted on. Even with this final step ahead, momentum is strong and the housing community is excited for meaningful change.

Stay tuned for news on that final step and please share what you learn. Many families, neighbors, and local leaders still don’t know how transformative this bill will be. By helping spread the word, we can ensure our communities are ready for the opportunities ahead.

Thank you for advancing housing access and equity in your community

What’s in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act? • Bipartisan Policy Center

The severe shortage of affordable housing is placing an unsustainable burden on renters and homeowners across the country. Does underutilized or vacant publicly owned land hold the key? Read the report here

5-Minute Read

The U.S. has a shortage of 7.2 million rental homes affordable and available to renters with extremely low incomes. See how you state shapes up with this updated annual data set from National Low Income Housing Coalition here

10-Minute Explainer

An effective national housing affordability strategy requires all federal levers: unlocking production capacity, injecting capital, and protecting and assisting households. See how the Urban Institute would deploy such a plan here

20-Minute Digest

Beyond the theory, what is the nature of a ‘just city’? Listen to the 25th Annual John T. Dunlop Lecture given this year by pioneering public housing administrator and intellectual historian Kenzie Bok on the “Past, Present & Future of Public Housing here

90-Minute Listen

The Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2026 is the next step California needs. It places a $10 billion bond on this year’s ballot — allowing voters to support the production and preservation of affordable housing for lower-income households.

Two housing bonds — both with the same name and the same goal — are moving through the Legislature. Their passage is critical to help every community build more of the safe, affordable homes Californians need.

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