Historic housing legislation received strong bipartisan backing for planning-based approaches to address the housing crisis across the United States.

The American Planning Association (APA) celebrates the enactment of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act into law. This represents a major federal step toward planning-driven housing solutions, equipping communities with fresh resources to boost housing supply, enhance affordability, and increase housing options.

Over several years, APA has collaborated with policymakers, local officials, and planning experts to promote housing policies that eliminate development obstacles and strengthen local planning processes. Numerous planning elements in the new legislation back local changes and align with measures long advocated by APA and its members.

"The 21st Century ROAD to Housing law underscores the key position of planning in assisting communities to lower barriers, expand housing choices, and turn housing objectives into tangible results," stated APA President Sue Schwartz, FAICP. "APA has consistently backed strategies now incorporated in the law and continues its dedication to aiding planners and communities in applying these tools successfully."

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing offers new federal backing for planning approaches that aid communities of all sizes, from cities to rural areas, in ramping up housing construction. This includes zoning updates, pre-approved housing designs, modular and manufactured homes, updates to building codes, repurposing existing structures, missing-middle housing, and additional planning methods to ease development hurdles.

APA plans to offer direction on the implications for planners and their communities. Furthermore, APA will persist in its efforts with planners, local governments, and federal partners to implement the law and broaden housing access throughout the nation.

The American Planning Association is an independent, not-for-profit educational organization that provides vital leadership in creating great communities for all. APA and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, are dedicated to advancing the profession of planning, offering better choices for where and how people work and live. The nearly 40,000 APA members work in concert with community residents, civic leaders and business interests to create communities that enrich people's lives. Through its philanthropic work, APA's Foundation helps to reduce economic and social barriers to good planning. APA is based in Chicago.