June 18, 2026

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity applauds the bipartisan, bicameral progress made through the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. At a time when housing affordability continues to be one of the most pressing challenges facing families across the country, it is encouraging to see leaders from both parties recognize the urgency of expanding housing opportunities and reducing barriers that make it harder to build.

For too long, the conversation around housing has focused on the symptoms rather than the root causes. Communities need more tools to increase housing supply, modernize outdated systems, and create pathways to homeownership and housing stability. This legislation represents meaningful progress toward addressing those challenges.

“Housing affordability is not a partisan issue. It’s a family issue, an economic issue, and a community issue,” said Ashley Brundage, President and CEO of Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity. “Families cannot thrive when housing costs consume their paychecks, and communities cannot grow when workers, teachers, first responders, and young families are priced out. We are encouraged to see leaders come together around practical solutions that help communities build more homes, remove unnecessary barriers, and create greater opportunities for people to achieve the stability that comes with homeownership.”

While this legislation is an important step forward, the work is not finished. Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity urges both chambers of Congress to move swiftly to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act and send it to the President’s desk.
 
Families across the country need more housing options, greater affordability, and stronger pathways to homeownership. This legislation represents meaningful progress toward those goals, and we encourage policymakers to continue advancing solutions that increase housing production, preserve existing affordable housing, and strengthen communities for generations to come.

Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity is proud to be part of Up for Growth, a national coalition advocating for policies that increase housing supply and affordability.

Read the coalition’s full statement here

Safe, stable homes are the foundation for health, job stability, children’s educational success, and long-term well-being — and here in North Texas, they’re just as vital to a thriving local economy.

Housing is the single largest expense in most household budgets, making it one of the biggest factors in where people can afford to live and work. When housing costs price hardworking people out of the communities where they work, local employers struggle to hire and retain the people they need — a strain that reaches households, neighborhoods, and the strength of our region’s economy. Source: HR&A

We believe Dallas and Kaufman counties are stronger when everyone has a fair shot at the security homeownership provides, and the chance to build wealth and a better future for themselves and the people who matter most to them.

To lower the cost of homeownership, expand access for more North Texas households, and strengthen resilience for existing homeowners, we’re calling on local, state, and federal leaders to act in three critical areas: increasing affordable homeownership supply; broadening homeownership access; and improving homeownership resilience.

Advocate with Us – When we speak up, together, we can make the dream of homeownership a reality in Dallas County. Join us as we advocate for policies that will expand the availability of affordable homes for purchase, open more pathways to homeownership for families, and strengthen homeowners’ long-term stability and success. Sign up to get Advocacy Alerts and learn more about our local advocacy efforts in partnership with the Dallas Housing Coalition here.

Increasing funding, tools, and resources for attainable housing

• Set up a revolving loan fund with a one-time capital investment that funds attainable housing activities while encouraging workforce training
• Appropriate funding for land banks to support blight remediation, title clearance, brownfield assessment, and strategic property acquisition
• Establish new funding streams for housing production and preservation

Expediting the construction and rehabilitation of homes

• Streamline the funding and approval processes for attainable housing projects, including leveraging publicly owned land
• Reduce barriers to housing development through pre-approved plans, building and parking code reforms, and strengthening existing laws

Innovating to produce and preserve attainable housing

• Allow diverse housing options to boost housing supply, such as ADUs and condominiums, especially for students, seniors, and first-time homebuyers
• Establish a Texas Voluntary Cleanup Tax Credit program
• Expand protections for heirs’ property owners