Across America, the cost of housing has skyrocketed. From rural Maine to urban Los Angeles and everywhere in between, families struggle with ever-increasing rent prices. Over 50% of renters are now cost-burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent. Americans frequently must choose between keeping a roof of their heads and putting food on the table.  

The United Church of Christ has long affirmed that housing is a fundamental human right. The Scriptures call us to build communities in which everyone can live with dignity and security. The Prophet Isaiah urges us to “repair the breach” and restore communities so that all may flourish. One of the clearest ways we can live out that calling is by advocating for expanded access to affordable, stable housing. 

The 21st Century Road to Housing Act is a bipartisan effort to address the nation’s housing affordability crisis by increasing the supply of homes and reducing excessive barriers that make housing more expensive to build. The legislation focuses on four key priorities: 1) cutting red tape, 2) unlocking housing supply, 3) lowering costs for families, and 4) strengthening oversight of federal housing programs. By streamlining environmental reviews, modernizing manufactured housing rules, improving multifamily financing tools, and encouraging private investment, the bill seeks to make it easier for communities to build the homes they need. 

The legislation also works to ensure that housing programs serve families effectively and responsibly. It strengthens transparency and accountability in federal housing programs, modernizes rural housing initiatives, and includes provisions designed to prevent large institutional investors from crowding families out of the single-family housing market.  

Contact your members of Congress today to urge them to support the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. Call on policymakers to champion policies that increase affordable housing and expand opportunities for families left behind for far too long.