Since taking office in January, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego has made housing affordability a top priority—driven by his own experiences growing up in a working-class Arizona family.
“Growing up, I watched my single mom work tirelessly to afford a safe apartment for my sisters and me,” Gallego said. “For too many Arizonans today, no matter how hard they work, rent is unaffordable. I’m proud of the bills we’re working on to address the housing crisis.”
Gallego’s legislative efforts include measures to streamline permitting, update outdated rules, and expand development opportunities to increase housing supply. “The market has been distorted for a lot of reasons,” he said. “But at least we in Congress have decided to step up and do something.”
A Rare Bipartisan Breakthrough
At the center of Gallego’s housing agenda is the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, a bipartisan package he co-authored that recently became the first housing bill in two decades to clear the Senate’s housing committee with support from both parties.
The legislation would direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to review outdated caps on multifamily construction loans—potentially unlocking thousands of new rental units. It would also modernize the definition of manufactured housing to include modular and prefabricated homes, supporting innovation and affordability.
The bill also strengthens veteran homelessness programs and improves coordination among federal housing agencies.
“Arizona used to be affordable, but that’s no longer the case,” Gallego said during a recent hearing. “This is about giving families a fair chance at the American dream—and doing it in a bipartisan way.”
Fixing the Voucher Funding Gap
Another key proposal, the Housing Vouchers Fairness Act, would reform how the federal government distributes Section 8 housing assistance. Funding formulas still rely on population data from 25 years ago, leaving fast-growing cities like Phoenix and Mesa at a disadvantage.
Gallego’s bill would add $2 billion to the program and ensure fast-growing regions receive fairer allocations. “It’s unfair that Arizona rental-assistance waitlists stretch for years,” he said. “My bill finally addresses the disparities so that more Arizonans can get into safe, affordable homes.”
Building Responsibly on Federal Land
Gallego has also urged federal officials to explore responsible housing development on public lands, with safeguards for local communities, tribal nations, and the environment.
“With 42% of Arizona’s land federally owned, compared to less than 1% in some eastern states, improving building opportunities on certain federal lands could help ease shortages in key areas,” Gallego said.
As his housing initiatives gain bipartisan traction, Gallego says he remains focused on practical solutions. “We must pursue every available avenue to reduce the burden of housing costs on families and make homeownership an accessible cornerstone of the American dream.”
