DOWNING’S WHOLE-HOME REPAIRS ACT INCLUDED IN THE 21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT SET TO BECOME LAW

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, comprehensive legislation to expand housing supply, modernize federal housing programs, and support affordable housing nationwide. Congressman Troy Downing's Whole-Home Repairs Act, legislation to support essential home repairs was included in the package.

Downing's bill, the Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025, authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to offer grants for essential home repair assistance to low-and-moderate-income homeowners and small landlords.

"Housing affordability remains a major challenge for families across Montana and across the country," said Congressman Downing. "This bill is a step forward in addressing the needs of homeowners and renters. I'm proud that my Whole-Home Repairs Act was included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to leverage federal, state, and local partnerships and strengthen our existing housing stock. With too many Montana families cost burdened and many homes in need of repair, this funding could not come at a better time."

The broader legislation includes several reforms aimed at expanding housing supply and modernizing federal housing policy.

The bill eliminates the permanent chassis requirement for manufactured homes, an outdated federal mandate that required manufactured homes to be built on a permanent steel frame. Removing this requirement will help lower costs and allow more design flexibility for prefabricated housing.

The legislation also includes important community banking provisions. It allows community banks to hold more custodial and reciprocal deposits without triggering brokered deposit restrictions. It also provides exam relief for banks with up to $6 billion in assets and streamlines the process for new community banks to form.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also creates a two-year pilot program to support the creation of new community banks, especially in rural areas.

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