Today, APA celebrates not only this bipartisan achievement but also the culmination of years of persistent, targeted advocacy. APA and advocates played a leading role in this process, working hand-in-hand with congressional offices, coalition partners, and policymakers to draft and advance the core planning-focused housing policies now embedded in the final legislation. This law directly reflects APA’s efforts and reinforces planning’s essential role in expanding housing opportunities nationwide.
To learn more, check out this video podcast that dives into the historic achievement and some of the elements of the new 21st Century ROAD to Housing law.
Keep an eye on APA’s Housing Reform Resource Hub for the latest practical guidance related to core elements of the law as they are developed in the days, weeks, and months ahead, as well as their impacts on you and your communities.
We also want to ensure that you are aware of a new federal proposal. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) proposed a rule that could reshape the requirements and conditions for organizations and agencies receiving federal funding. APA is currently evaluating this proposal to determine its potential implications and will submit formal comment on behalf of the planning profession in advance of the July 13, 2026, deadline.
As this landmark law is implemented and other federal policies emerge, APA will continue advocating for planners and equipping you for what comes next. Together, we’ve made planning essential to the national housing conversation.
Statement by APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP: Congress has taken a historic, bipartisan step toward addressing one of the nation’s most urgent challenges: expanding access to housing that is affordable and attainable. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act recognizes what planners and communities know firsthand: modernizing and reforming outdated codes, rules, and programs is essential to increasing housing supply and affordability.
The largest federal housing package in a generation, this legislation makes the federal government a stronger partner to planners, local leaders, and communities working to remove barriers, streamline housing processes, expand housing choices, and improve access to financing. These tools will help communities move from planning for housing to delivering more homes in more places for more people.
Good planning is central to building strong, prosperous communities. Across the country, planners are helping communities create local visions for housing that are affordable, abundant, and responsive to the needs of residents. The American Planning Association welcomes and applauds this important federal action and stands ready to support planners and communities as they put these new policies into action to expand housing opportunities nationwide.