Councilman Carlos Clanton Applauds Enactment of the Bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

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Councilman Carlos Clanton Applauds Enactment of the Bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk City Councilman Carlos Clanton, Co-Chair of the Mayor's Housing Commission and member of the National League of Cities (NLC), today welcomed the enactment of the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, calling it one of the most significant federal housing reforms in decades and an important step toward expanding homeownership and addressing America's housing affordability crisis.

"As communities across the nation continue to grapple with rising housing costs and limited housing supply, this legislation represents meaningful progress," said Councilman Clanton. "Housing affordability is one of the defining challenges of our time, and it will take strong partnerships between the federal government, states, and local governments to ensure every family has access to safe, stable, and affordable housing."

As Co-Chair of the Mayor's Housing Commission, Clanton has helped lead Norfolk's efforts to develop a comprehensive housing strategy focused on increasing attainable housing, preserving existing neighborhoods, supporting first-time homebuyers, and strengthening pathways to homeownership.

This federal action also builds upon significant progress made during the 2026 Virginia General Assembly, where lawmakers advanced a series of bipartisan housing affordability initiatives designed to increase housing supply, preserve existing affordable housing, and provide local governments with additional tools to meet community needs. The General Assembly approved legislation expanding local housing incentive programs, encouraging accessory dwelling units (ADUs), strengthening workforce housing initiatives, preserving affordable housing, and creating additional pathways for attainable homeownership. Together, these state and federal actions demonstrate a growing commitment to addressing housing affordability through collaboration across every level of government.

"The work we've been advancing in Norfolk aligns closely with the goals of this legislation," Clanton added. "This isn't just a federal success story. Here in Virginia, the General Assembly took meaningful steps this year to expand housing opportunities and strengthen the tools available to local governments. Now, with the enactment of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, we're seeing alignment between local, state, and federal policymakers around a shared goal: making housing more attainable for working families, seniors, young professionals, veterans, and first-time homebuyers."

The National League of Cities praised the legislation for expanding opportunities for homeownership while preserving local zoning authority, avoiding unfunded mandates, and providing practical tools to help municipalities address housing challenges. NLC also described the measure as the most comprehensive federal housing package in more than three decades.

Councilman Clanton noted that Norfolk will continue building upon its local housing initiatives by working collaboratively with neighborhood organizations, nonprofit partners, developers, regional stakeholders, and state and federal partners to expand housing choices for residents across every stage of life.

"Housing is more than a roof over someone's head. It is the foundation for educational success, workforce development, economic mobility, and healthier communities. I look forward to working with our local, state, and federal partners to ensure Norfolk is prepared to leverage every opportunity this new law provides."