The U.S. Senate passed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act on March 12 by a vote of 89-10. Senator Tim Scott, Republican from South Carolina and Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, said the legislation aims to lower housing costs by expanding supply, reducing regulatory barriers, and empowering local communities.
The passage of this bill is significant as it addresses rising concerns about housing affordability across the country. The legislation is described as a major bipartisan effort focused on making homeownership more accessible for American families.
During remarks on the Senate floor, Scott said, “Mr. President, the issue of housing is not a Republican issue or a Democrat issue, it’s an issue about helping moms like the ones that raised me, the amazing woman that she was, become a homeowner.” He shared his personal experience growing up in rental housing and how government programs helped his family achieve homeownership. “Our experience was one that was filled with tragedy and challenges and a lack of resources. But the one resource we had a lot of was love, and hope,” Scott said.
Scott emphasized that today’s average age for first-time homebuyers has risen to 40 years old. He urged lawmakers to act: “That age is too old, and we as a legislative body can do now what a legislative body did then: create opportunities, restore hope, and let young people experience…the American Dream.” He concluded his remarks by saying, “The age of affordability is now, and the solution to affordability is in fact us.”
The bill includes measures such as streamlining environmental reviews, modernizing manufactured housing rules, unlocking private investment in residential markets while limiting large institutional investors from crowding out families. It also updates multifamily financing tools and construction activities across federal programs.
Scott offers constituent services including assistance with federal agencies and community resources for South Carolina residents according to the official website. He has previously championed Opportunity Zones legislation enacted in 2017 to promote private investment in economically challenged areas according to the official website. Scott earned his bachelor’s degree from Charleston Southern University according to the official website.
He participates in several Senate committees including Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Finance; Health; Education; Labor and Pensions; Small Business; and Entrepreneurship according to the official website. Workforce development and economic opportunity remain key priorities for Scott’s work representing South Carolina residents according to the official website.
Supporters say this legislation represents one of the most significant bipartisan reforms in decades aimed at expanding housing supply while cutting red tape.
