Housing Affordability Measure Stalls After Trump Links It to SAVE America Act

June 29, 2026

President Trump has canceled the signing ceremony for a bipartisan housing bill that received overwhelming congressional support, demanding that lawmakers first pass his SAVE America Act voting legislation instead. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which passed with an 85-5 Senate vote and 358-32 House vote, aims to address the national housing crisis by increasing supply, reducing construction barriers, and limiting institutional investor purchases of single-family homes. The bill's uncertain future comes as housing affordability reaches crisis levels nationwide and particularly in Washington D.C., where nearly half of all renters are cost-burdened and Black residents face disproportionate housing challenges.

Who is affected

Millions of Americans struggling with housing affordability nationwide
D.C. renters (nearly half spending over 30% of income on housing)
Black D.C. residents (54.5% are rent-burdened)
Extremely low-income households in D.C. (only 32 affordable units per 100 households)
Residents of Wards 7 and 8 in D.C.
Residents in the Rock Creek West Planning Area/Chevy Chase neighborhood
Local governments seeking to convert vacant buildings to affordable housing
Large institutional investors in single-family homes
Housing organizations and industry groups

What action is being taken

President Trump is refusing to sign the housing bill until Congress passes the SAVE America Act
The District is moving forward with zoning changes along upper Connecticut Avenue following the court dismissal of a lawsuit

Why it matters

The national housing shortage has left millions of Americans unable to find affordable housing due to rising home prices, elevated mortgage rates, and years of underbuilding. The bipartisan legislation represents one of the most broadly supported bills in Congress this year and addresses critical supply issues through reforms to construction barriers, housing programs, and limits on institutional investors. Housing affordability challenges are particularly acute in Washington D.C., where the burden falls disproportionately on Black residents and extremely low-income households, with the city facing severe shortages of deeply affordable housing units. Trump's decision to hold the bill hostage to unrelated voting legislation creates uncertainty about whether these crucial housing reforms will become law.

What's next

House Speaker Mike Johnson has stated he still expects the housing measure to "become law within the constitutional review period." However, the bill's future depends on whether Congress passes Trump's SAVE America Act, which Senate Republicans acknowledge lacks sufficient support to overcome a filibuster. The District will proceed with zoning changes along upper Connecticut Avenue following the court victory.

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer