U.S. House Amends Housing Bill to Protect Build-to-Rent Sector

The U.S. House of Representatives released an amended version of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act that removes the controversial provision requiring build‑to‑rent (BTR) operators to sell newly built or renovated single‑family homes within seven years. The bill retains a ban on institutional investors that own more than 350 single‑family homes, but adds specific exemptions for homes built under BTR programs, for renovate‑to‑rent projects, and for newly constructed or renovated homes intended for sale or rental conversion.

The amendment aims to address lobbying concerns from BTR developers and affordable‑housing advocates who argued the original Senate version, passed on March 12, would freeze capital flow into the sector. House leadership plans to bring the bill to a vote next week under suspension of the rules, which requires a two‑thirds majority. If approved, the measure will return to the Senate for final consideration. President Donald Trump has publicly urged swift passage, citing threats to the “American Dream of homeownership.” A bipartisan coalition of 76 House members signed a letter demanding the removal of the BTR restrictions before the legislation could advance.