A Landmark Victory for Housing

APA New Jersey joins the American Planning Association in celebrating the enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the most significant federal housing reform package in decades and an important step toward addressing our nation’s housing shortage.

Housing production has long been one of APA New Jersey’s highest legislative and policy priorities. As New Jersey continues to face a shortage of more than 200,000 homes, this legislation reinforces what planners have long known: we need more housing, and thoughtful planning is essential to delivering it.

The Act provides states and local governments with new tools to increase housing production, modernize planning practices, and remove barriers that can slow the development of much-needed homes.

What This Means for Planners and Communities

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes dozens of reforms that provide new tools and resources for states and local governments. Highlights include:

  • Supporting local zoning and land use reform through new federal best-practice guidance and technical assistance while preserving local decision-making.
  • Providing incentives and grants to help communities remove barriers to housing production and implement planning reforms.
  • Encouraging faster permitting and project delivery by streamlining certain federal environmental review and approval processes for housing.
  • Promoting “missing middle” and innovative housing types, including updates that make manufactured and modular housing more practical and affordable.
  • Creating model building code guidance, including for innovative building types such as single-stair multifamily buildings where appropriate.
  • Supporting adaptive reuse by encouraging the conversion of underutilized commercial and other buildings into housing.
  • Strengthening housing finance tools by modernizing federal loan programs and expanding access to financing for housing development.
  • Improving disaster recovery and community resilience programs, helping communities rebuild housing more efficiently after natural disasters.
  • Expanding technical assistance and planning capacity so local governments have access to research, data, and implementation tools that support housing production.

Why It Matters in New Jersey

New Jersey’s housing challenges are significant. More than one-third of New Jersey households are housing cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing, while nearly 550,000 renter and homeowner households spend more than half of their income on housing costs. Expanding the housing supply is critical to improving affordability, supporting economic growth, and creating opportunities for residents of all ages and incomes.

APA New Jersey remains committed to working alongside our members and municipal partners to translate these new federal tools into thoughtful planning and meaningful housing solutions throughout the Garden State.

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Published:  July 11, 2026