Rep. Torres on the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act Becoming Law

Five Torres-authored provisions on housing construction, tenant safety, and public housing oversight are now law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Over the weekend, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the most significant federal housing legislation in three decades, became law. In response to the news, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15), who authored and championed five provisions in the final package, released the following statement:

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is now the law of the land. This is the most significant step Congress has taken on housing affordability in decades, and it carries the fingerprints of my team’s work, sitting at the table through round after round of negotiations to get this right. President Trump threw a fit, called this bill ‘a big yawn,’ and refused to sign it, but the American people struggling to afford a home know better than Trump. And thankfully, so did the overwhelming bipartisan majorities in both chambers who passed it. No matter what he says, this is a huge win that will impact the nation for generations.

“Five provisions I authored and championed are now law. We’re cutting red tape so families can get bigger, more affordable apartments. We’re protecting public housing residents from dangerous heat. We’re helping families in Section 8 build savings and reach self-sufficiency. We’re increasing oversight of failing public housing authorities. And we’re giving HUD the tools to keep multifamily loan limits in step with the real cost of building housing. The housing crisis didn’t happen overnight and it won’t be solved overnight, but this law is real, bipartisan progress, and the Bronx will benefit from it.”

Rep. Torres’s provisions included in the final legislation are as follows:

• Single Stair (Sec. 102): Directs HUD to issue best practices and technical guidance supporting greater use of single-stair buildings, allowing for more family-sized units and lower construction costs.
• Temperature Sensors (Sec. 106): Establishes a HUD pilot grant program for public housing authorities and federally assisted housing owners to install temperature sensors, helping ensure compliance with heat and cold safety requirements.
• Housing Affordability Act (Sec. 211): Led alongside Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15). Authorizes HUD to increase multifamily loan limits to keep pace with housing market costs, restoring higher House-passed loan multipliers to support more affordable multifamily construction.
• Helping More Families Save Act (Sec. 404): Creates a HUD pilot program letting up to 25 housing providers establish escrow savings accounts for as many as 5,000 families on Section 8 or public housing assistance, with funds accessible after self-sufficiency milestones or program participation.
• CAT Act (Sec. 805): Requires struggling public housing authorities to provide annual status notices and assessments to HUD, disclose contract information publicly, and directs the HUD Inspector General to review housing conditions and the performance of receivers, monitors, and private partners.

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