Call to Advocacy: The ROAD to Housing Act

10/15 Update: The Senate advanced the bipartisan “ROAD to Housing Act” (S. 2651) to the “National Defense Authorization Act” (NDAA, S. 2296), which passed the Senate with a vote of 77-22. 

As noted by the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), since this was incorporated into NDAA, the next step is for the Senate and the House of Representatives to attempt to reconcile differences between their respective defense authorization bills. To help shape a house counterpart to this bill that could inform negotiations, the Financial Services Committee is expected to consider its own housing legislation during a markup scheduled for October 28-29 (though this may be delayed due to the government shutdown). 

 

9/16/2025

Dear Supporter, 

Earlier this year, I met with Senator Tim Scott’s office to discuss the Whole Home Repairs Act—a bill designed to help families keep their homes safe and livable.

I shared the story of Ms. Catherine, a longtime Greenville resident and widow of a U.S. Air Force veteran. After years of caring for others, she needed critical repairs she couldn’t afford and no longer had her husband’s help to do the work. With community support, we were able to secure funds and mobilize volunteers to ensure her home remained safe.

That’s why this legislation matters. It would create a five-year national pilot program offering grants and forgivable loans for low-income homeowners to make essential repairs. You can check out Bipartisan Policy Center’s helpful explainer of the full legislation here.

Good news: the Whole Home Repairs Act has now been included in the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, a bipartisan housing package led by South Carolina’s own Senator Tim Scott and hailed as a historic step forward in federal housing policy.

This is a significant victory for those of us working to ensure that every family has a safe, healthy, and affordable home. It’s also a clear sign that home repair and rehabilitation are no longer afterthoughts, but central to the housing conversation.

But this progress only becomes reality with your support. Here’s how you can help:

  • Thank Senator Tim Scott for his leadership and ask how you can help move the bill forward.
  • Urge Senator Lindsey Graham and your U.S. House Representative to co-sponsor or support the bill.
  • Call, write, or email to share your own story of why home repair matters. Personal experiences carry more weight than form letters.

Showing up for our neighbors doesn’t stop when repairs are done. Showing up means ensuring key funding so neighbors have access to repairs for years to come. 

Sincerely, 

Jake Beaty

CEO, Rebuild Upstate

Help Make the ROAD Act Law: Letter Template to Legislators

Subject: Please Support the ROAD to Housing Act

Dear [Senator/Representative Last Name],

My name is [Your Name], and I live in [City/County], South Carolina. I am writing to urge you to support the ROAD to Housing Act (S.5027), introduced by Senator Tim Scott.

Safe, affordable housing is essential for healthy families and strong communities. In South Carolina, many residents face increasing challenges with rising rents, limited affordable options, and aging housing stock. The ROAD to Housing Act takes important steps toward addressing these issues and expanding opportunities for people in our state to access stable housing.

South Carolina has many nonprofits, such as Rebuild Upstate, that are well-equipped to invest and leverage these funds in South Carolina thanks to years of experience, community partnerships, and the work of volunteers.

I am grateful for Senator Scott’s leadership on this bill, and I hope you will join him by co-sponsoring or supporting it. Your support would show a commitment to the thousands of South Carolinians who need safe and affordable places to live.

Thank you for your service and for considering this important legislation. Please let me know your position on the ROAD to Housing Act, as I and many of your constituents care deeply about this issue.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Address]

[Your Email / Phone Number]