House Passes Bipartisan Housing Bill to Address Affordability Crisis

Legislation aims to boost housing supply and make homeownership more accessible for first-time and low-income buyers.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bipartisan housing bill with a 390-9 vote, marking a rare show of political cooperation. The legislation is aimed at addressing the nationwide affordability crisis by incentivizing the construction of more affordable and 'missing middle' housing options, streamlining permitting processes, and providing tax incentives for development in economically distressed areas.

Why it matters

Housing affordability has become a major issue across the United States, with many Americans struggling to purchase homes. This bipartisan bill represents an attempt by lawmakers to tackle the crisis by boosting the supply of affordable housing options, which could help make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers and lower-income families.

The details

The housing bill includes measures to encourage the building of more multifamily homes, taller buildings on smaller lots, and less restrictive local permitting processes. It also establishes a new HUD pilot program to provide grants for pre-approved 'pattern book' housing designs that comply with building codes. The legislation is primarily aimed at expanding 'missing middle' housing - the range between single-family homes and larger apartment buildings.

  • The House passed the bipartisan housing bill on February 10, 2026.
  • Last month, President Trump signed an executive order to make it harder for large investment firms to buy single-family homes that could be purchased by American families.
  • Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' also included tax incentives for development in economically distressed communities.

The players

House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill

A longtime Republican congressman who was one of the main leaders behind the bipartisan housing bill in the House.

Rep. Maxine Waters

The top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and a progressive stalwart who co-led the bipartisan housing bill.

Main Street Caucus Chairman Brian Flood

A Republican congressman who hailed the housing bill as "landmark legislation" that addresses issues that are not partisan.

Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver

A Democratic congressman who supported the bipartisan housing legislation.

Rep. Marlin Stutzman

A Republican congressman who championed a bill whose core tenets were folded into the final housing legislation.

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What they’re saying

“If House Republicans and Democrats can agree on this package to increase housing supply and lower prices across the nation, the Senate should be able to swiftly send it to the president's desk. Our constituents need the relief this bill offers.”

— Rep. Marlin Stutzman (Fox News Digital)

“It doesn't matter if you're in a blue city or a red city, whether you're a Habitat for Humanity in Omaha or, you know, a housing developer in Birmingham, Alabama, these issues aren't partisan. In order to solve the housing crisis, we have to be able to remove a lot of the barriers.”

— Main Street Caucus Chairman Brian Flood, Republican Congressman (Reporters)

“If there's not a demand for housing, this doesn't get in the way of that. I mean, this requires a bank to be willing to lend a community development program to say that we should spend these dollars to build housing. And if there is a surplus of housing and pricing is affordable, then there wouldn't be that market signal that says we need new housing.”

— House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, Republican Congressman (Reporters)

What’s next

The bipartisan housing bill now heads to the Senate, where it must pass with bipartisan support before going to President Trump's desk for his signature.

The takeaway

This rare show of bipartisanship in Congress highlights the growing urgency to address the nationwide housing affordability crisis. By incentivizing the construction of more affordable and 'missing middle' housing options, the legislation aims to make homeownership more accessible for first-time buyers and lower-income Americans.