The Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act of 2025 (S. 2651, also known as the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025) was introduced and reported to the Senate on August 1, 2025. The bill contains eight titles comprised of 40 sections, which address several housing policy topics. The ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 was incorporated into Division I of a Senate version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (S. 2296) by S.Amdt. 3901 to S.Amdt. 3748. On October 9, 2025, this amended version of the National Defense Authorization Act was passed by the Senate. The text of the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 in S. 2296, as amended, differs in several respects from the text of S. 2651; these differences are noted in the section summaries in this report. Most of the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 sections contained in S. 2296 are similar to previously introduced stand-alone bills; CRS notes similar or identical stand-alone bills from the 117th, 118th, and 119th Congresses at the end of each section’s summary. If similar bills were introduced over multiple Congresses, only the most recent introduction is noted. Major Components of the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 Title I contains one section regarding changes to housing counseling requirements. Title II contains 13 sections predominantly concerning housing supply. Several national indicators suggest that housing supply may be relatively low compared to demand, which can be a contributing factor to decreasing housing affordability. The sections in Title II would seek to incentivize changes in local governments’ zoning and land use policies, authorize new housing construction and rehabilitation grant programs, modify the Community Reinvestment Act, and reduce federal environmental review requirements, among other provisions. Title III contains four sections aimed at increasing the availability of manufactured and modular housing. These housing types tend to have lower construction costs relative to traditional site-built homes. The sections in Title III would amend the statutory definition of a “manufactured home,” direct a study of modular building codes, adjust home loan insurance programs, and authorize a competitive grant program for activities in support of manufactured home communities, among other provisions. Title IV contains five sections: three related to homeownership and two related to federal rental assistance. In recent years, housing prices and mortgage interest rates have risen, increasing the cost of down payments and monthly mortgage payments. Title IV would direct studies on barriers to small mortgage lending and change appraisal requirements. Title IV would also expand an existing savings plan for tenants receiving rental assistance and modify inspection requirements for the Housing Choice Voucher program, among other provisions. Title V contains six sections which authorize, reauthorize, or otherwise reform existing programs: the Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Recovery, the HOME Investment Partnerships program, the Rural Housing Service, the Moving to Work demonstration, the Continuum of Care program, and Emergency Solutions Grants. Title VI contains three sections related to veterans and housing. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administer several programs to assist veterans who are experiencing homelessness or seeking homeownership assistance. Title VI would add disclosures about VA-guaranteed loans to conventional and FHA-insured loan applications, and would change the way in which income eligibility is determined for a veterans homelessness assistance program. Title VII contains five sections, four related to congressional oversight and one related to appraisals. The sections in this title would require regular testimony from several federal housing officials, increase reporting requirements to Congress, and establish a new Inspector General. Title VII would also provide recourse for unsupported appraisal reports, addressing concerns regarding biased or discriminatory home appraisals. Title VIII contains three sections requiring data sharing, interagency cooperation, and a study of work requirements in federal rental assistance programs.
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