What Is the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act?

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law on July 11, 2026, after passing Congress with strong support from both Republicans and Democrats.

Here are some of the biggest changes and what they could mean for home buyers and sellers in Whatcom and Skagit Counties.

🏡 Build More Homes
The new law helps communities build more homes by making some rules and approval processes faster. It also supports manufactured and modular homes. Over time, this could help increase the number of homes available in Northwest Washington.

🔑 Help More People Buy a Home
The law expands access to smaller home loans, encourages down payment savings programs, and helps more families qualify for homeownership. This may make it easier for some first-time buyers to purchase a home.

💰 Make It Easier to Build Housing
The law improves access to financing for housing projects, especially affordable housing. More funding could help builders create additional homes in growing communities like Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Burlington, and Mount Vernon.

🎖️ Support Veterans
The law helps veterans better understand their VA home loan benefits and makes it easier to compare financing options, helping them make informed decisions when buying a home.

While this law won't change the housing market overnight, its goal is to increase housing choices and improve affordability over the coming years. Exactly how much it affects Whatcom and Skagit Counties will depend on how state and local governments, builders, and lenders put these new tools to use.

Have questions about how this new law could affect buying, selling, or building a home in Whatcom or Skagit County? Contact The Ramsey Team—we're always happy to help you understand your options.