Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) helped pass H.R. 6644, the 21st-Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at dramatically lowering housing costs for New Hampshire families.

If signed into law, the bill would expand access to financing for building and renovating homes while cutting down on antiquated bureaucracy that fuels the housing shortage. Goodlander previously voted in favor of the original House bill in February. 

“Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American Dream, and yet housing costs are eating up Granite Staters’ paychecks,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “It’s time to get this bill across the finish line and make it easier to build more homes, access financing, and stop giant corporate investors from buying up the American Dream. I’m focused on lowering costs and making sure hardworking people can actually afford to live in our great state.”

The bill is an amended version of an earlier bill that Goodlander helped pass in February. It goes back to the Senate after this week’s vote and includes a number of Goodlander-backed provisions that will deliver for New Hampshire, including:

• Accelerates home building by creating pre-approved “pattern books” for missing-middle and infill housing, speeding up approvals and lowering construction costs—especially in rural areas. (H.R. 5907)

• Cutting needless bureaucracy holding up the development of rural housing (H.R. 4989)

• Expanding the housing supply by allowing modular housing to be built and financed more easily (H.R. 6293)

• Ensuring veterans and their families get the benefits they’re entitled to when it comes to seeking home loans (H.R. 2362)

• Improves Build America Buy America implementation by requiring updated guidance on application of these requirements for the HOME program.

The bipartisan legislation has received broad-based support from affordable housing advocates throughout New Hampshire. 

“Housing costs are squeezing Granite Staters in every corner of our state because we simply don’t have enough homes that people can afford,” said Nick Taylor, executive director of Housing Action NH. “I’m grateful to Congresswoman Goodlander and the bipartisan coalition of lawmakers who supported this legislation that advances solutions to help communities create more housing choices and bring down costs. This legislation is a meaningful step toward making New Hampshire a place where people can afford to live, work, and build their future.”

“The NH Home Builders Association applauds the U.S. Congress for passing common sense legislation that will actually help develop more housing for our workforce,” said Matt Mayberry, CEO NH Home Builders Association. “The 27,000 NH men and women who work in residential construction want to highlight and thank U.S. Rep. Maggie Goodlander for all of her efforts to ensure our voice and opinions were heard during this process. She directly engaged us and asked questions. She met with us, looked us in the eye and asked pointed thoughtful questions before forming her opinion. She represented us, Granite State builders, with tenacity and focus. Thank you for being our champion.”

Goodlander has worked to address a number of factors driving sky-high housing costs. She has helped introduce bipartisan legislation to expand financing for accessory dwelling units and affordable housing development, supported cracking down on corporate landlords and private equity firms that drive up rents and home prices, and backed efforts to increase housing supply and make homeownership more accessible for working families, seniors, and first-time buyers.

The full bill text is available here. 

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