Fitzpatrick helps advance measure to expand housing supply and lower costs for PA-1 families

Washington, DC— This week, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) helped lead passage of H.R. 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act, a sweeping bipartisan reform package to increase housing supply, modernize federal housing policy, strengthen community banking, and restore affordability for working families in Pennsylvania’s First District and across the nation.

The legislation represents one of the most comprehensive federal housing reform efforts in years. It directly addresses the structural drivers of America’s housing shortage — outdated regulations, duplicative inspections, financing bottlenecks, and barriers that slow responsible local development. The bill includes more than 20 targeted reforms, including updates to the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and directives for the Government Accountability Office to examine gaps in federal housing programs and improve efficiency and accountability.

The Housing for the 21st Century Act includes several Fitzpatrick-led provisions that will deliver for PA-1, including:

• H.R. 5907: Authorizes HUD to award competitive grants to local governments and tribal entities to adopt pre-reviewed, ready-to-use housing designs for mixed-income developments of up to 25 units. By shortening permitting timelines and reducing costly delays, this reform accelerates responsible homebuilding with 10% of funding reserved for rural communities.
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act (H.R. 1981): Modernizes the Housing Choice Voucher program by eliminating duplicative inspections and allowing remote reviews in rural and small jurisdictions. By reducing red tape and encouraging landlord participation, this reform expands housing access for working families.
• VA Home Loan Awareness Act (H.R. 2362): Requires mortgage applications to clearly notify eligible applicants that they may qualify for a VA Home Loan — ensuring veterans and service members are fully informed of benefits they have earned.

“Housing affordability is one of the defining economic challenges of our time, and families are feeling the pressure every single day. When supply falls behind demand, costs climb and opportunity slips further out of reach. In our community, I have sat down with realtors, home builders, lenders, local officials, and families who are navigating this reality firsthand, and we have worked together to turn those conversations into real action, said Fitzpatrick. “The Housing for the 21st Century Act marks a significant step forward. It reflects two-party, patriotic, common-sense leadership focused on expanding supply, modernizing outdated federal barriers, and restoring balance to the housing market. The House has acted. Now it’s time for the Senate to do the same. I will continue leading this effort and working alongside our community and my colleagues to deliver real relief and confront the broader affordability crisis facing working families.”

“Realtors are on the front lines of this housing crisis every day. We see young families priced out of starter homes, seniors unable to downsize, and working households competing in markets where supply has simply not kept pace with demand. When housing production slows, affordability slips further out of reach — and communities feel it,” said Chris Beadling, PA-1 Constituent, Broker of Quinn & Wilson Realtors in Montgomery County, 2025 NAR Regional VP (Region 2), and Past President of Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS and Bucks County Association of REALTORS. “Congressman Fitzpatrick has been a longtime partner in addressing these challenges, working directly with Pennsylvania Realtors and local housing leaders to understand the regulatory delays, financing constraints, and outdated policies limiting housing growth. The Housing for the 21st Century Act takes meaningful steps to remove unnecessary barriers, modernize federal housing programs, and strengthen the ability of community banks to finance responsible local development. By expanding supply and empowering local lenders, this legislation will help increase housing opportunities and bring affordability back within reach for Pennsylvania families. We appreciate Congressman Fitzpatrick’s longtime partnership, support, and commitment to advancing policies that support sustainable housing growth across our Commonwealth.”

The bill is endorsed by a broad coalition of national housing, banking, and community development organizations, including AARP, the American Bankers Association, the National Apartment Association, the Real Estate Roundtable, the Housing Partnership Network, the Pew Charitable Trusts, and dozens more.

Click here for the full text of the bill and click here for further voices of support.

Background

Congressman Fitzpatrick has consistently led the charge on affordability — and it remains his top priority for Pennsylvania’s First District. As Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, he recently helped unveil a comprehensive bipartisan Affordability Agenda that outlines more than 40 commonsense bills capable of delivering immediate relief across five critical areas of household budgets: health care, housing, energy, child care, and food.

Each proposal in the framework has broad bipartisan support and is designed to pass both chambers of Congress — reflecting Fitzpatrick’s belief that lowering costs for working families must rise above partisanship.

In addition to the Housing for the 21st Century Act, his recent bipartisan efforts include:

• HELP Copays Act – Legislation to lower the cost of life-saving prescription medications for patients with rare, serious, and chronic conditions.
• Accelerating Home Building Act – Bipartisan, bicameral legislation aimed at increasing housing supply and improving affordability nationwide.
• Caring for Our Seniors Act – Addresses the rising cost of senior care while strengthening the long-term care workforce.
• Affordable Child Care Act – Doubles key tax credits to help working families access quality, affordable child care and put money directly back into parents’ pockets.