Housing (Land Use)

This bill requires local governments receiving certain federal housing grants to track and report on specific zoning reforms that could increase housing supply. It targets jurisdictions served by recipients of Community Development Block Grants, asking them to document plans for policies like allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining building permits. The reporting is voluntary - submissions aren't binding, can't be used for enforcement, and don't require actual policy changes. The goal is to identify barriers to affordable housing through data collection, not to mandate specific reforms.

HR 1609 would nullify two specific U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules requiring local governments to address housing discrimination in zoning decisions. It also prohibits using federal funds for databases tracking racial disparities in housing access or affordable housing availability. The bill mandates that HUD consult with state and local officials before creating new fair housing regulations, requiring consensus among these groups for any proposed rules. This directly affects local zoning authorities, HUD, and public housing agencies by removing federal requirements related to fair housing enforcement.

HR 855, the Housing Innovation Act, establishes a new Office of Housing Innovation within HUD, headed by a presidentially appointed Assistant Secretary. This office coordinates federal agencies to support local efforts addressing housing shortages, affordability, and transportation challenges through three grant programs: Section 4 grants ($2 million max per locality) for planning regulatory reforms in urban areas; Section 5 grants ($500,000 max) for research on innovative housing solutions like micro-units or "last-mile" transit access; and Section 6 grants ($200,000 max) for academic partnerships on housing education. The bill authorizes $100 million annually (2026-2032) for these programs, with 90% funding allocated to planning grants, and requires a GAO review after three years to assess effectiveness. It directly affects local governments, regional planners, and communities facing housing supply constraints.

HR 891, the Pro-Housing Act of 2025, provides federal grants and low-cost loans to states, cities, and tribes to develop and implement local housing plans. It requires recipients to address housing supply, affordability, and accessibility for all income levels while avoiding displacement of current residents, with priority given to plans that improve transit-accessible housing near job centers. The bill allocates $200 million annually for 2026-2031, mandates 20% of funds for rural or exurban areas, and includes a pilot program to transfer unused federal property for affordable housing development. It also requires annual reports on progress and a 5-year study to evaluate the program's impact on housing supply and affordability.

This bill modifies federal transit funding rules to encourage housing development near transit hubs. It defines "pro-housing policies" (like removing parking minimums or streamlining approvals for multi-family housing) and allows projects demonstrating such policies to earn an extra point in funding evaluations. Transit projects applying for capital grants can receive higher funding priority if they show evidence of these policies in areas near transit. The policy directly affects cities, transit agencies, and developers seeking federal transit funding, without mandating new state or local laws. The bill focuses on incentivizing existing housing-friendly practices through grant scoring, not direct housing construction.