North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer celebrates passage of major housing bill designed to help Americans achieve the dream of home ownership
Fargo, North Dakota – The U.S. Senate has overwhelmingly approved a wide-ranging housing package that supporters say could help millions of Americans move closer to owning a home. Lawmakers voted 85-5 in favor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan measure designed to increase housing opportunities, reduce barriers to development, and address workforce shortages that have contributed to delays in the housing market.
The legislation comes after months of negotiations involving members of both political parties. Leaders of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee worked alongside members of the House Financial Services Committee and officials from the Trump administration to develop the final package.
Among those celebrating the bill’s passage was North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, a member of the Senate Banking Committee, who said the legislation addresses one of the biggest challenges facing prospective homeowners.
“For generations, achieving the American Dream was symbolized by owning a home, and it’s become increasingly out of reach for many Americans, largely because there’s just not enough homes. There’s a supply shortage in the communities across our country. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is going to help millions of Americans become homeowners. This vote, and really the whole process, has really been a result of steadfast collaboration between the political parties and of course between the two chambers of the United States Congress. I look forward to the House’ swift action so we can get it to the president’s desk as soon as possible.”
North Dakota concerns helped shape the legislation
Two provisions authored by Cramer were included in the final bill. Both focus on issues that have affected North Dakota and many other parts of the country.
One provision addresses a growing shortage of home appraisers. In North Dakota, rapid population growth has increased demand for housing, but a limited number of appraisers has created delays in the buying and selling process. According to lawmakers, North Dakotans currently face an average wait of about 21 days for an appraisal, significantly longer than the national average of six to nine days.
The shortage is expected to become more severe in the future. More than two-thirds of appraisers are older than 51 years old, while only 13 percent are younger than 35. Industry leaders have warned that the aging workforce could create even greater delays if new professionals do not enter the field.
To address the issue, Cramer previously introduced the Appraisal Industry Improvement Act with Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona. The proposal seeks to strengthen the appraiser workforce by adding state-credentialed trainee appraisers to the national Appraiser Registry. It also allows grants to support education, certification, and licensing programs for future appraisers.
Supporters believe the changes could help reduce appraisal bottlenecks and speed up real estate transactions for buyers and sellers.
Effort to expand housing opportunities
Another provision included in the legislation comes from the Choice in Affordable Housing Act, which Cramer introduced alongside Senator Chris Coons of Delaware.
This section is intended to reduce delays involving inspections required for participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program. Under the proposal, housing units financed through other federal housing programs can automatically satisfy voucher inspection requirements if they have already been inspected within the previous year.
Supporters say this change will eliminate unnecessary duplication and reduce paperwork for landlords. The measure also makes it easier for new landlords to request pre-inspections, a step lawmakers believe could encourage greater participation in the voucher program and increase housing options for voucher recipients.
Beyond the provisions authored by Cramer, the legislation contains several broader housing reforms aimed at increasing the nation’s housing supply.
The bill prioritizes housing development projects located within Opportunity Zones and establishes a Community Development Block Grant pilot program designed to encourage additional housing construction. It also directs the Federal Housing Administration to increase multifamily housing loan limits, a move intended to support larger housing developments.
Another section updates how the National Environmental Policy Act applies to smaller housing projects, which supporters argue could reduce delays and help bring more housing units to market more quickly.
Backers of the legislation say the combined reforms address both immediate and long-term housing challenges by encouraging construction, reducing regulatory barriers, strengthening workforce pipelines, and improving access to affordable housing programs.
The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where supporters hope it will receive swift consideration. If approved by the House and signed into law, advocates believe the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act could become one of the most significant federal housing measures in years, with effects reaching communities across North Dakota and the rest of the nation.
