Affordable housing advocates in North Texas say a bipartisan effort in the U.S. Senate could mark a turning point in addressing rising housing costs and limited availability. U.S. senators on March 12 passed the 21st Century Road to Housing Act in a rare show of bipartisan support. The bill inclu des sweeping reforms aimed at expanding housing supply and improving affordability. The legislation would create new funding streams for developers to build more homes and support new construction technologies designed to lower building costs. It also adds restrictions on large-scale investors, allowing them to purchase homes but preventing them from holding rental properties indefinitely. The bill also encourages local governments to consider zoning reforms. Similar policy discussions are already underway in North Texas, including in Dallas. Bryan Tony, head of the Dallas Housing Coalition, said the region’s housing challenges are no longer limited to the most vulnerable households. “It’s no longer just people who are working two jobs or single-parent households, but middle-class families that are also being impacted by housing,” Tony said. “They’re wondering where their kids are going to move out and rent or be able to afford their home one day. So it’s now impacting everybody. That’s why the Senate passed this 89 to 10.” The bill must still pass the House before it can move forward. Advocates say they are closely watching negotiations in Washington, noting concerns that the administration wants other legislation addressed before signing new bills into law. ...read more read less