Rep. Maxine Waters of California has reintroduced the “Strengthening Housing Supply Act,” a bill aimed at tackling the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Rep. Waters previously introduced this bill in the 118th Congress, HR 6948 and in the 117th Congress, HR 9522. During the 117th Congress, Rep. Waters also successfully attached this bill as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, during House consideration, although it was not yet passed into law.
Specifically, the “Strengthening Housing Supply Act” would authorize the use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support the development of affordable housing and establish a maximum limit for affordable rents. Currently, CDBG rules limit the use of these funds for new housing construction. By expanding eligibility, Rep. Waters’ bill would give state and local governments greater flexibility to address the affordable housing shortage and promote neighborhood revitalization.
“Over the years, I have introduced and secured support for several urgently needed housing bills aimed at expanding affordable housing and addressing our nation’s growing homelessness crisis. While we have worked tirelessly to increase access to affordable housing for hard-working American families and vulnerable communities, we must do more,” said Rep. Waters. “Therefore, I am reintroducing my bill the ‘Strengthening Housing Supply Act.’ By allowing Community Development Block Grants to be used for new affordable housing construction, my bill empowers local governments to take direct action to address this worsening shortage and create safe, stable, and affordable housing for families, seniors, and people experiencing homelessness. Addressing this crisis is an urgent, bipartisan priority. I look forward to getting this bill across the finish line.”
Since May 2020, housing prices have risen by nearly 40%, locking millions of families out of homeownership and forcing more renters than ever to spend in excess of 30% of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. Today, more than half a million people, including children and seniors, have been pushed into homelessness. And on any given night, more than 770,000 people experience homelessness, the highest number ever recorded in our nation’s history.
Rep. Waters’ “Strengthening Housing Supply Act” comes at a time when the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM), according to Freddie Mac, has averaged 6.26% as of September 18, 2025, down from last week when it averaged 6.35%. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 6.09%.
Redfin reports that home prices nationwide were up 1.6% year-over-year in August. At the same time, the number of homes sold fell 2.9% and the number of homes for sale rose 10%.
And for those on the sidelines of homeownership, Redfin reports that the median U.S. asking rent rose 1.7% ($30) year-over-year to $1,790 in July—the largest increase recorded since January 2023. July marked the second-consecutive year-over-year increase (the median asking rent rose 0.4% in June) following over two years of declining or flat rents. The median asking rent climbed 0.8% on a month-over-month basis in July over the reported June 2025 totals.
Click here for more on the “Strengthening Housing Supply Act.”
