Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)
The Housing for the 21st Century Act cleared a key hurdle by passing near-unanimously out of committee with a 50-1 vote. It now heads to the full House Floor for consideration.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13) joined House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill (AR-02), and Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-43), in passing H.R. 664, the Housing for the 21st Century Act of 2025, a landmark housing package, out of the full committee. The bipartisan measure addresses our nation’s affordable housing crisis and modernizes regulatory challenges impacting homeownership. The final package incorporated several bills filed by Rep. David Scott this year, including his Reforms to Housing Counseling & Financial Literacy Programs Act and Streamlining Rural Housing Act—proposals to tackle Georgia’s housing crisis.
“Housing is not a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. It is an American issue. Today’s committee markup demonstrates what is possible when leadership on both sides chooses collaboration,” said Congressman David Scott. This bipartisan bill reflects thoughtful, principled compromise. It acknowledges that we can strengthen housing oversight while preserving access. It shows that we can fight to protect consumers, enact real accountability, and ensure that housing policy works for those who have historically been left behind. At a time when far too many working-class Georgians are being priced out of their communities, this bill shows recognition that inaction is not an option. I’m proud to support this legislation and look forward to moving it swiftly to the House floor.”
The Housing for the 21st Century Act addresses the nation’s housing crisis by:
- Broadening access to homeownership, including manufactured housing and small dollar mortgages.
- Reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining permitting, inspection, and environmental review processes to accelerate housing development.
- Protecting borrowers and assisted families and enhancing federal oversight of housing providers; and
- Strengthening the development of adorable housing for families in both rural and urban communities.
The Reforms to Housing Counseling & Financial Literacy Programs Act would:
- Strengthen HUD’s authority to review housing counseling agencies and individual counselors.
- Require corrective action, additional training, or retesting when performance standards are not met.
- Expand access to HUD-approved foreclosure mitigation counseling for certain delinquent borrowers through the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
The Streamlining Rural Housing Act which:
- Directs the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to enter a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to align housing standards.
- Currently, rural housing projects that utilize both HUD and USDA programs must undergo slightly different but separate environmental reviews and inspections to receive funding.
- This creates unnecessary red tape for developers and drives up costs, ultimately contributing to the affordable housing shortage in rural communities nationwide.
“Today’s committee action brings us one step closer to ensuring these counseling services are accurate, effective, and accountable. Advancing this landmark housing package out of the full committee shows Congress can come together to strengthen federal housing programs and better protect borrowers, especially first-generation homebuyers and communities of color who have historically been targeted by predatory practices,” Congressman David Scott continued.
Access to safe, decent, and affordable housing is foundation to stable employment, educational outcomes for children, health, and the ability for seniors and people with disabilities to age in place. With nearly 12 million homes needed nationwide and housing costs skyrocketing, the Housing for the 21st Century Act represents a meaningful step toward addressing these challenges while ensuring HUD programs work as intended.
Full text of the housing package can be accessed HERE.
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