Pressure Mounts on Housing Act
There’s growing pressure on the House of Representatives to approve the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which seeks to prohibit institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes across the U.S.
The Senate previously passed the bill with significant support—an 89-10 vote back in March. Now, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) has brought it to the House under a suspension rule that necessitates a two-thirds majority for passage.
Given its nearly unanimous backing in the Senate, it seems likely that the bill will meet the necessary threshold, which means 284 votes—including consideration for five vacancies—are needed for it to advance.
Recently, former President Donald Trump urged for the bill’s passage in a post on Truth Social. He highlighted the attack on the American dream of homeownership, sharing a story of a Houston mother, Rachel Wiggins, who lost out on numerous homes to large investment firms. These firms, he explained, skipped inspections and converted the homes into rentals, thus undermining individual buyers’ chances.
Trump noted, “I signed an executive order to prevent large Wall Street firms from scooping up single-family homes. It’s crucial for Congress to act and ban these purchases permanently. This is about ensuring housing serves people rather than businesses.”
Vice President J.D. Vance also weighed in, stressing the significance of the bill. In a post on X, he stated, “The American Dream isn’t just for those with deep pockets on Wall Street; it’s for hardworking Americans. I commend President Trump’s leadership on this and urge the House to get it done.”
Republican representatives are rallying behind the bill as well. Rep. Ronnie Jackson (R-Texas) echoed Trump’s sentiments on X, urging for immediate action on the legislation, calling it a vital step toward restoring the possibility of homeownership.
Other representatives, such as Riley Moore (R-West Virginia), Nick Langworthy (R-New York), and Buddy Carter (R-Georgia), are also advocating for the 21st Century Road to Housing Act.
