Overview of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (2026)


The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) became law on July 11, 2026, after passing Congress on June 23. It is one of the largest federal housing‑supply packages in decades and includes more than 40 sections across 12 titles

The major new U.S. housing law in 2026 is the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, enacted July 11, 2026, which expands housing supply, limits large institutional home purchases, streamlines voucher inspections, and promotes affordable construction.

Overview of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (2026)

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act (H.R. 6644) became law on July 11, 2026, after passing Congress on June 23. It is one of the largest federal housing‑supply packages in decades and includes more than 40 sections across 12 titles.

Key Federal Provisions

  • Increasing Housing Supply:
    Reduces regulatory barriers, encourages zoning reform, and incentivizes local governments to allow more housing construction. 
  • Institutional Investor Restrictions:
    Limits purchases of new single‑family homes by large institutional investors owning 350+ homes, with exceptions for build‑to‑rent. 
  • Voucher Inspection Streamlining:
    Allows units already inspected under LIHTC, HOME, or USDA programs to satisfy Housing Choice Voucher inspections, reducing delays. 
  • Whole‑Home Repair Pilot:
    Grants and forgivable loans for repairs and modifications for homeowners and landlords. 
  • Small‑Dollar Mortgage Expansion:
    FHA pilot for mortgages ≤100,000 USD and CFPB review of lending rules to improve access in lower‑cost markets. 
  • Manufactured & Modular Housing Reforms:
    Removes permanent chassis requirement, updates financing limits, and expands modular housing financing. 
  • CDBG Flexibility:
    Allows CDBG funds to support new affordable housing construction and ties some funding to local production performance. 

House Amendment Differences (May 2026)

The House amendment to the Act introduced several changes:

  • Removed six sections (e.g., lifting RAD cap, permanent CDBG‑DR authorization).
  • Restored 18 sections from the Housing for the 21st Century Act, including new PHA oversight rules.
  • Modified institutional investor restrictions by removing the seven‑year forced divestiture requirement.
  • Added a requirement for CDBG grantees to publish databases of undeveloped public land.

Related Legislation: Housing for the 21st Century Act (2026)

Passed by the House in February 2026, this act overlaps heavily with the ROAD Act and includes:

  • Land‑use policy guidelines and best practices.
  • Streamlined environmental review processes.
  • Adjusted FHA multifamily loan limits.
  • GAO study on workforce housing.

State‑Level Housing Reforms in 2026

States also advanced significant housing reforms:

Arizona (2026)

  • SB1431: Prohibits cities from requiring HOAs or aesthetic standards for single‑family homes; prevents permit delays based on such requirements.
  • SB1787: Codifies Sheetz v. El Dorado by requiring individualized determinations of exactions (vetoed April 7, 2026).

California (2026)

  • AB1070: Studies shifting missing‑middle housing to residential building code.
  • AB1294: Creates uniform permit applications and prevents incomplete‑permit classifications.
  • SB1014 & SB1116: Streamline urban infill townhome production and infrastructure requirement disclosures.

Summary

The year 2026 saw sweeping federal and state housing reforms centered on expanding supply, reducing regulatory barriers, limiting institutional investor dominance, and improving affordability.

Sources: housingaffordabilityinstitute.org , CNBC , Congress.gov , bipartisanpolicy.org , narpm.org , copilot

Slave labor linked to palm oil


Rainforest Action Network
Tell Cargill CEO Gregory Page you’re outraged his company is importing palm oil made with child and slave labor
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Businessweek has released a groundbreaking article connecting Indonesia‘s palm oil industry to widespread cases of forced and child labor. The stories are truly terrifying, including workers, many of whom are children, being defrauded, abused, and held captive on palm plantations. All to grow a plant and extract its oil for use in junk food, lipsticks and other household items in our supermarkets.
As the Businessweek piece put it: “…[B]ecause palm oil companies face little pressure from consumers to change, they continue to rely on largely unregulated contractors, who often use unscrupulous practices.”  The power is ours to change this story. TODAY. It’s time to tell Cargill, the leading supplier of palm oil in the country, that we will not stand for child and slave labor in our food.
The Businessweek piece was instigated by a nine-month investigation of the palm oil industry by the Schuster Institute for Investigative Journalism. The investigation focused on one of the world’s most significant palm oil suppliers, Kuala Lumpur Kepong (KLK), a major Cargill supplier. KLK workers—men, women and children—were lured thousand of miles away from their homes with promises of good work. What they found was that they wouldn’t be paid for two years, but only loaned up to $16 a month for health care and company-owned food. Many workers were locked into “stifling, windowless barracks” at night, and their national identity cards and school certificates were confiscated to prevent them from escaping.
So what did Cargill have to say about the practices of its corporate partner KLK? According to Businessweek: “Cargill defended its supplier. ‘At this time, KLK is not in violation of any labor laws where they operate nor are we aware of any investigation of KLK’s labor practices,’ says Cargill spokeswoman Susan Eich in an e-mail.”
This makes me furious. Let’s make sure Cargill doesn’t get away with using a PR flack to dodge its huge role in subjecting laborers and children to horrifying working conditions.
Please take the time today to tell Cargill to get conflict palm oil and slave and child labor out of our food.
Let’s face it, news breaks every day and then disappears into the background. In fact, companies like Cargill count on it. But we’ve all seen stories that break through and facilitate epic changes. The internet really does make it possible for our communities to amplify the news we care about—news that would otherwise go unseen. Today we have the opportunity to make sure palm oil plantation workers are not alone.
In too many ways, Cargill is right at the center of palm oil’s controversial web. Cargill must adopt comprehensive safeguards to prevent palm oil connected to slave and child labor, human rights abuses and rainforest destruction from tainting the world’s food supply.
Please tell Cargill today that you demand the company have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to slave and child labor.
You’ve told us that together we need to do everything in our power to get conflict palm oil off our grocery store shelves. This article needs to become our ammunition for educating our communities and going after the companies most responsible. When you’re done writing to Cargill today please take the time to encourage your friends to do the same. Let’s not let this issue fade from the front page.

Campaigner Name

Thanks for all that you do,

Robin Averbeck             Senior Forests Campaigner


More info: Bloomberg Businessweek: “Indonesia’s Palm Oil Industry Rife With Human-Rights Abuses” Understory: “BREAKING: Despite New Evidence, Cargill Denies Its Palm Oil Is Being Made By Slave Laborers”

USDA~ FSN ~ FDA ~ July 2026 -Recalls – Food Safety Alerts – Previous Month & last day of prior month update


** USDA and Foodborne illness when ordering takeout or home delivery foods … usda.gov

** Midwest Poultry Services. L.P. Recalls Shell Eggs Due to Possible Salmonella Enteritidis Contamination. Midwest Poultry Services, L.P. is voluntarily recalling 1,589,577 dozen white shell eggs and brown cage-free shell eggs produced in Texas because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella Enteritidis.

** On July 17, 2026, Taylor Farms de Mexico, announced that they are voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market. On July 17, Taylor Farms initiated a recall, which includes Marketside-brand product available at Walmart described as “Iceberg Salad 12-oz or 24-oz” and “Shredded Lettuce 8-oz or 16-oz” with Best if Used By dates of 7/18/2026 to 8/3/2026 and July 18 to Aug 3, 2026, respectively. A complete list of other recalled products distributed to food service customers is included in the recall notice. More information will be provided as it becomes available. 

** Taher, Inc. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing a public health alert for ready-to-eat chicken Caesar wrap products due to concerns that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes ( Lm). A recall~Impacted Products

8.7-oz. clear plastic wrapped packages of “FRESH SEASONS Kitchen Chicken Caesar Wrap” with “Sell By:6/24/2026” printed on the back label above the ingredients.

** PT Organics Limited Recalls Select Pumpkin Tree Peter Rabbit Organics Banana & Strawberry Fruit Puree Pouches Due to the Potential for Soft Plastic to Enter the Finished Product.

Barcode: 8 15367 01078 0

  • Lane number – identified by the number ‘4’ printed on the rear right-hand side seam

** Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories (A Div. of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg Due to Potential Cross-Contamination with Ranitidine. July 18th, 2026 – Panoli, Gujarat, Unique Pharmaceutical Laboratories (A Div. of J. B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) is voluntarily recalling four lots of Cetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets USP 5 mg to the consumer level due to cross-contamination with Ranitidine. Consumers with general or medical inquiries regarding this recall can contact Rising Pharma Holdings Inc. at: Phone number: 1-844-874-7464 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST), (Monday-Friday) or e-mail addresspv@risingpharma.com or qa@risingpharma.com. Complete and submit the Report Onlinewww.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm . The product is used as an Antihistamine and is packaged in HDPE Bottle pack of 100 tablets (NDC: 16571-401-10) Lot Numbers – GY825029, GY825030, GY825031, GY825032

** Relay Peak Research LLC Recalls Zen Principle® Moringa Capsules Because of Possible Health Risk. he product was distributed nationwide from December 2025 through July 2026, sold to consumers online primarily through Amazon.com and the company’s website, zenprinciple.com. Additionally, one unit was sold on eBay and one unit on Etsy.

The recalled product is Zen Principle® brand Moringa Capsules, 180 capsules packaged in a plastic bottle. The lot number (Lot A6FF4) and Best By date (11/2028) are printed on the bottom of the bottle. The product is offered as a 1-pack (180 capsules; Amazon code/FNSKU X000ZJJ4FT) and as a 2-pack (twin pack, 360 capsules; Amazon code/FNSKU X00159YJXP). No other products are impacted.

No illnesses have been reported to date. Consumers who purchased Zen Principle® Moringa Capsules, Lot A6FF4, are urged to stop using the product and dispose of it. Consumers do not need to return the product to receive a full refund. To request a refund or ask any questions, consumers may contact the company at 775-451-6171 from 9 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time, or by email at info@zenprinciple.com.

** Taylor Fresh Foods Recalls Iceberg Lettuce from Central Mexico Because of Possible Health Risk Taylor Farms de Mexico of Guanajuato, Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market, because it has the potential to be contaminated with Cyclospora. Most people infected with Cyclospora develop diarrhea, with frequent bowel movements. Other common symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss, stomach cramps/pain, bloating, increased gas, nausea, and fatigue. Vomiting, body aches, headache, and fever may be noted. Some people who are infected with Cyclospora do not have any symptoms. If not treated, the illness may lead to dehydration and severe complications that may require higher levels of care. The shredded iceberg product was distributed June 29th thru July 16th in AL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NH, NJ, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and WI. This action was prompted by the multistate Cyclospora outbreak https://www.fda.gov/food/outbreaks-foodborne-illness/investigation-5-state-outbreakcyclospora-illnesses-iceberg-lettuce-july-2026. We are actively removing the implicated products. The company has stopped receiving product from the implicated lot, suspended distribution of the iceberg lettuce from Central Mexico, notified our customers, and we are continuing to work with the FDA, CDC, and state authorities.

** Lettuce at Taco Bell in 5 states confirmed as a source of diarrhea-causing parasite https://apnews.com/article/cyclospora-lettuce-taco-bell-cdc-fda-13d9e9ebdc46a4d05a58da2ae8e8d0de?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=share

** Taylor Farms 07/17/26 12:44 PM PT

As a family-owned company, we are deeply concerned for those who became ill, their families, and the Americans whose trust in the safety of fresh produce has been shaken.

Based on information provided yesterday by the FDA, Taylor Farms de Mexico is voluntarily removing all iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico from the U.S. market.

** Clover Hill Dairy ~ June, Company expands cheese recall; Listeria outbreak traced to products
By News Desk foodsafetynews.com, the FDA and CDC, in collaboration with state and local partners, are investigating a multi-state, multi-year outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes infections linked to requeson, a soft cheese similar to ricotta, manufactured by Clover Hill Dairy LLC of Mechanicsville, MD. A distributor of Clover Hill Dairy requeson cheese has also initiated a recall. On June 5, Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC of Bay Shore, NY, initiated a recall of 1-pound packages of requeson cheese sold in clear plastic clamshell containers to retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28. The recalled cheese was likely repacked at the retail store locations, and labeling or coding of recalled cheese may vary based on location of purchase. A list of New York retail stores and locations that FDA has reason to believe received requeson cheese that was included in the recall by Nelson & Isa Lacteos LLC can be found in the recall announcement.

Clover Hill cheese was distributed from May 4 through May 30 in the following states: North Carolina, New York, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and Washington D.C. through bulk distributors, retail stores and directly to consumers.

Nelson & Isa Lacteos requeson products were sold at retail locations in New York from May 15 to May 28.

** Kao USA Voluntarily Recalls Some Lots of Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo-The recall is limited to specific lots of the Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo in8.5 oz and 33.8 oz sizes. Further investigation to confirm the scope of the issue is still ongoing.

Identifying the Affected Products:

  • Oribe Serene Scalp Densifying Shampoo (in 8.5 oz and 33.8 oz sizes), manufactured between February 21, 2026 and February 26, 2026, could be impacted.
  • The affected lot codes for the 8.5 oz size (UPC 840035231242) can be found onthe bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010556
  • The affected lot codes for the 33.8 oz size (UPC 840035231273) can be found onthe bottom of the bottle printed in black and begin with the prefix “YR”: o YR010566 o YR010576

To report any adverse events experienced with the use of this product, arrange for a replacement or for any questions, please contact the Kao Professional Hair Technical Hotline at 800-333-2442 or email oribecomplaints@kao.com.

** Voluntary Recall of Two Lots of PEDIGREE® Can High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor Wet Dog Food Due to Potential Fraudulent Distribution of Product Which May Contain Foreign Material -How to Identify Impacted Products
This recall applies ONLY to the two lot codes of product below:

  • Product: PEDIGREE® Can High Protein Chopped Chicken & Duck Flavor 13.2oz for dogs
  • Lot codes: 613C3KKCFC & 613C1KKCFC
  • Safety Risk: Pieces of hard and sharp metal with plastic may be present and could cause harm if consumed.

If you believe you have purchased this product, do not feed it to animals, and contact PEDIGREE for a replacement product.

No other PEDIGREE or Mars Petcare US, Inc. products are affected or being recalled.Contact PEDIGREE Consumer Care to initiate a replacement or with any questions at 1-800-525-5273, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Central Standard Time (CDT), and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM (CDT). You can also visit: https://www.pedigree.com/updateExternal Link Disclaimer.

** Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A. Initiates Recall of Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries Due to Potential E. coli O145 Contamination -Frutas y Hortalizas del Sur S.A., San Carlos, Chile is recalling frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries 10 oz. Because it may be contaminated with Escherichia coli O145:H28 (E. coli O145).

E. coli O145 is a Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) that can cause illness characterized by severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (which may be bloody), and vomiting. While most healthy individuals recover within a week, some infections may result in a serious complication known as hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), particularly in young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

The recalled product was shipped to Publix retail stores throughout 8 states including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Consumers should check their freezers for the affected product.

The affected product lot is:

  • Product: Frozen GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries
  • Package Size: 10 oz
  • Lot Code: 60401
  • Best By Date: February 9, 2028

No other lot codes or Best By dates are affected by this recall.

There have been reports of 12 confirmed cases of consumers experiencing stomach illness between May 11, 2026 and June 5, 2026 linked with E. coli O145:H28 infections –

Consumers or customers with questions regarding this recall may contact:

Info.foodsafety@comfrut.com or 336-899-5612

After receiving reports of consumers experiencing digestive illnesses and having consumed GreenWise frozen blueberries as part of their diet, Frutas y Hortalizas S.A. has decided to initiate the recall.

**FDA issues emergency use generic OTC drug treatment for New World ScrewWorm for dogs and cats https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-issues-emergency-use-authorization-generic-over-counter-drug-treat-new-world-screwworm-dogs-and

** USDA Launches Great American Cotton Plan

Secretary Brooke L. Rollins today announced the Great American Cotton Plan, a comprehensive USDA initiative to strengthen the cotton farm economy.

** Five Star brand oysters recalled in Canada because of Salmonella

Certain Five Star Shellfish Inc. brand oysters are being recalled in Canada because of contamination with Salmonella. The recall was triggered by Canadian Food Inspection Agency test results.  There have

By News Desk 

** TNVitamins expands recall of moringa powder products

Total Nutrition Inc. of Deer Park, NY, has expanded a recall to now include TNVitamins 100% Organic Moringa 1,200 mg Capsules and 100% Organic Moringa Powder following a supplier-

By News Desk 

** Concerns voiced after Listeria found in chicken supplied to hospitals; withdrawal initiated

Health officials in the United Kingdom have opened an investigation after Listeria was found in chicken supplied to hospitals. Chicken products imported by Foodbridge EU and Foodbridge UK from Brazil

By Joe Whitworth 

on this day … 7/25


0326 – Constantine refused to carry out the traditional pagan sacrifices.

1394 – Charles VI of France issued a decree for the general expulsion of Jews from France.

1564 – Maximillian II became emperor of the Holy Roman Empire.

1587 – Japanese strong-man Hideyoshi banned Christianity in Japan and ordered all Christians to leave.

1593 – France’s King Henry IV converted from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism.

1759 – British forces defeated a French army at Fort Niagara in Canada.

1799 – Napoleon Bonaparte defeated the Ottomans at Aboukir, Egypt.

1805 – Aaron Burr visited New Orleans with plans to establish a new country, with New Orleans as the capital city.

1845 – China granted Belgium equal trading rights with Britain, France and the United States.

1850 – In Worcester, MA, Harvard and Yale University freshmen met in the first intercollegiate billiards match.

1850 – Gold was discovered in the Rogue River in OR.

1854 – The paper collar was patented by Walter Hunt.

1861 – The Crittenden Resolution, which called for the American Civil War to be fought to preserve the Union and not for slavery, was passed by the U.S. Congress. 

1866 – Ulysses S. Grant was named General of the Army. He was the first American officer to hold the rank.

1868 – The U.S. Congress passed an act creating the Wyoming Territory.

1871 – Seth Wheeler patented perforated wrapping paper.

1907 – Korea became a protectorate of Japan.

1909 – French aviator Louis Bleriot flew across the English Channel in a monoplane. He traveled from Calais to Dover in 37 minutes. He was the first man to fly across the channel.

1914 – Russia declared that it would act to protect Serbian sovereignty.

1924 – Greece announced the deportation of 50,000 Armenians. 

1941 – The U.S. government froze all Japanese and Chinese assets. 

1943 – Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini was overthrown in a coup.

1946 – The U.S. detonated an atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. It was the first underwater test of the device. 

1947 – Fortune Gordien of Oslo, Norway set a world record discus throw of 178.47 feet.

1952 – Puerto Rico became a self-governing commonwealth of the U.S. 

1978 – Louise Joy Brown, the first test-tube baby, was born in Oldham, England. She had been conceived through in-vitro fertilization.

1978 – Pete Rose (Cincinnati Red) broke the National League record for consecutive base hits as he got a hit in 38 straight games.

1984 – Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana Savitskaya became the first woman to walk in space. She was aboard the orbiting space station Salyut 7.

1987 – The Salt Lake City Trappers set a professional baseball record as the team won its 29th game in a row. (Utah)

1994 – Israel and Jordan formally ended the state of war that had existed between them since 1948.

1997 – K.R. Narayanan became India’s president. He was the first member of the Dalits caste to do so.

1998 – The USS Harry S. Truman was commissioned and put into service by the U.S. Navy.

2010 – WikiLeaks leaked to the public more than 90,000 internal reports involving the U.S.-led War in Afghanistan from 2004-2010.