Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act

This bill, known as the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act, would exempt certain federal housing assistance programs from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements when used to build or modify homes on infill sites. It directly affects rural communities and housing agencies that currently must complete environmental reviews before approving construction projects on existing developed land. The exemption applies specifically to assistance under the Housing Act of 1949 and defines infill sites as locations with access to existing water, sewer, and road infrastructure, while excluding greenfield sites and areas at high risk for wildfires or flooding. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress within five years evaluating whether the exemption reduced review times and administrative costs, and to assess its impact on affordable housing in rural America.