The US Congress has approved a new bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which aims to increase the construction of affordable housing, streamline construction permits, and make federal funds more flexible for housing projects across the country, including Puerto Rico. The measure, which now awaits President Donald Trump's signature, allows federal community development funds to be used directly for building affordable housing. In Puerto Rico, these funds benefit dozens of municipalities and are used for housing, infrastructure, and basic services projects. The new law also extends the disaster recovery program for three years, which was used in the reconstruction of the island after hurricanes and emergencies.
A pilot program will be created to transform abandoned or vacant buildings into affordable housing between 2027 and 2031. The goal is to increase the supply of available homes without the need for new constructions in all cases. The legislation also reduces duplications in environmental processes required to approve housing projects, aiming to accelerate their construction. According to the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration (PRFAA), the measure can help accelerate the island's reconstruction and expand the availability of housing.
PRFAA Executive Director Gabriella Boffelli stated that the measure seeks to reduce costs, eliminate bureaucracy, and facilitate the construction of housing. The project was approved with broad support in Congress, with a vote of 85-5 in the Senate and 358-32 in the House of Representatives.