Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) voted to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This historic legislative package will help lower housing costs by accelerating housing production, getting homes to the market quicker, and supporting buyers and renters.

 

“As I travel around Wake County, the number one issue I hear about is the skyrocketing cost of housing,” said Congresswoman Ross. “Families can’t afford to keep a roof over their heads. The dream of home ownership is out of reach for young people. Seniors living on fixed incomes are struggling to make ends meet. And too many North Carolinians are being priced out of communities they helped build.

 

“For more than three decades, Congress has failed to address the housing crisis while hardworking Americans have paid the price. With this package, we are finally taking steps to tackle housing affordability head-on.

 

“However, I am extremely disappointed that the package fails to include a provision from the Senate-passed version that would have provided essential housing support following disasters. After Hurricane Helene, Western North Carolina saw homes destroyed, and countless families still haven’t been able to return. 

 

“This package is an historic step forward. I will keep up the fight for affordable housing and working to deliver real and immediate federal support to any community affected by natural disasters – in North Carolina and across the country.”

 

The Senate-passed housing package included the Reforming Disaster Recovery Act, which would create a disaster recovery fund to allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to predictably assist communities. This provision was stripped from the House version of the legislation before the final vote on passage.