House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Housing Package with Numerous Bills Co-Authored by Congressman Cleaver

(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan amendment the 21^st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a legislative vehicle that was negotiated by, and includes seven bipartisan bills sponsored by, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance. Ranking Member Cleaver spoke in support and voted in favor of the amendment, which will now move to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

"While the American people are drowning under the rising cost-of-living crisis, Congress has an opportunity to provide a desperately needed lifeline by passing comprehensive, bipartisan housing reforms that will lower costs for families nationwide," said Ranking Member Cleaver. "For over a year, I have worked with Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters and Chairman Flood to craft legislation that will cut through unnecessary regulations and boost the development of affordable housing. I'm pleased that work has paid off with today's legislation, which was passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. Now, I look forward to working with our Senate colleagues to get this legislation across the finish line and deliver relief to the American people."

Provisions included in the bipartisan amendment sponsored by Congressman Cleaver include:

• Innovation Fund: The innovation fund is a section first proposed in the American Housing and Economic Mobility Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA). This section authorizes a seven-year $200 million annual competitive grant program for jurisdictions pursuing innovative policies, interventions, or programs for increasing housing supply.
• HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood (R-NE), the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program since authorization in 1990. The legislation includes provisions introduced by Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH) and would modernize and update the federal government's largest block grant program dedicated exclusively to creating and preserving affordable housing for low-income households.
• Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant US Department of Agriculture Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, ensure continued rental assistance for tenants in properties with expiring protections, and make it easier for nonprofits to buy and preserve housing.
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act: The legislation includes sections of the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), representing a major reform to HUD's Section 8 program. The included sections would streamline inspections, increase access to housing for voucher holders, and encourage private landlord participation.
• Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs. Additionally, the housing package includes legislation introduced by Chairman Flood (R-NE) and Ranking Member Cleaver that would streamline energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing.
• HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler (R-NY), the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress.

Official text of the bipartisan amendment is available here.

A section-by-section of the bipartisan amendment is available here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.