ENACTED JULY 11, 2026 · PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN MAJORITIES

The most comprehensive federal housing legislation in decades became law today. The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (“the ROAD Act”) establishes a new federal framework for housing policy nationwide and marks a generational opportunity for addressing Oklahoma’s housing needs. The bill aims to expand housing supply, reduce regulatory barriers, and lower costs for families, all while preserving local control.

The Act adds no new mandatory federal spending and does not preempt state or local zoning authority. Its provisions largely take the form of opt-in authorities, competitive grants, and pilot programs. This means for Oklahoma to benefit from the legislation, our state must organize to take advantage of the new tools.

Oklahoma is well positioned to meet the moment. Elected officials, municipal employees, developers, and the business community are invested in growing workforce housing opportunities, housing preservation, and expanding attainable options for Oklahoma families. The Oklahoma Uniform Building Code Commission (OUBCC) is already working to reform single-stair regulations, a change that would allow more efficient mid-size “missing middle” housing while reducing costs and maintaining safety. This reform, while still in progress, is a result of the research and advocacy by Housing Forward. To keep that momentum going, Oklahoma can work to modernize zoning to allow more housing types, reduce regulatory barriers, and streamline approval processes.

The ROAD Act reflects years of bipartisan work in both chambers and passed with overwhelming majorities. The bill was presented to the President on June 29 and became law without his signature under Article I, Section 7 of the Constitution, which provides that a bill left unsigned for ten days while Congress is in session becomes law.