This week, several CARW members had the opportunity to attend an event featuring HUD Secretary Scott Turner and Congressman Bryan Steil, where the discussion focused on the nation’s housing challenges and new federal efforts to increase housing supply.
Congressman Steil highlighted the recently enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan law designed to expand housing production by reducing regulatory barriers, modernizing financing tools, encouraging redevelopment, and providing additional resources for communities seeking to address housing needs.
Secretary Turner discussed HUD’s role in implementing many of these initiatives, emphasizing collaboration with state and local governments, reducing unnecessary barriers to development, and creating conditions that encourage private investment. The legislation also includes provisions intended to support housing development in Opportunity Zones, encourage redevelopment of underutilized properties, streamline project reviews, and help communities plan for future housing growth.
While the conversation centered on housing, the implications extend well beyond residential development. Housing availability increasingly influences workforce attraction, business expansion, and economic competitiveness. For commercial real estate professionals, policies that improve development certainty, encourage investment, and support public-private partnerships can also create opportunities for mixed-use development, adaptive reuse, neighborhood revitalization, and long-term community growth.
As implementation of the new law moves forward, CARW will continue monitoring how these federal initiatives may affect commercial real estate, economic development, and investment opportunities across Wisconsin.