Pierce County's $1.2 to $1.5 million in annual federal housing funds won't gain the expanded uses Congress intended after President Trump refused to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan bill that cleared both chambers by veto-proof margins.

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, in a statement published Tuesday, June 24, called the move "playing politics with this bipartisan legislation that will benefit millions of Americans."

The county receives its HOME Investment Partnerships dollars through a formula grant that supports about 20 affordable homes each year. The bill would have broadened how those dollars can be spent, including covering sewer infrastructure at the proposed Frederickson housing project. It would also have unlocked new federal tools: grants and forgivable loans for elderly and veteran homeowners to fix a roof or add a wheelchair ramp, a $200 million grant program rewarding cities that eliminate restrictive zoning, and planning grants to streamline local permitting.

Pierce County is seeking Opportunity Zone designations for several locations in the Parkland-Spanaway area. The bill would have given HUD priority to grant applicants in those zones.

Trump posted on Truth Social on Tuesday, June 23, that the signing ceremony was "hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency." He called the housing bill "of minor importance."

The SAVE America Act would require proof of citizenship for all voters and impose new limits on mail-in ballots. Pierce County's press release noted state election officials estimate it would cost more than $35 million statewide to implement before the 2026 midterm elections.

The housing bill passed the House 358-32 and the Senate 85-5. House Speaker Mike Johnson said after meeting with Trump at the White House on Thursday, June 25, that he would formally present the bill for signature, starting a 10-day clock. If Trump takes no action while Congress is in session, the bill becomes law without his signature.

Congress is scheduled to begin a 10-day recess on Friday, July 3. If the recess starts before the 10-day window expires and Trump has not signed, the bill dies by pocket veto.

Pierce County needs more than 100,000 new housing units by 2044 to meet projected demand, according to the county. Of those, 77,000 must be affordable.

Mello said housing would remain a top county priority regardless of federal action, pointing to the Maureen Howard Affordable Housing Act, which uses local tax revenue to lower housing costs, and ongoing efforts to speed permitting and partner with private developers. The bill remains unsigned as of Thursday, June 25.