Housing (Zoning) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2416: Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 7062: Build HUBS Act

The Build HUBS Act extends and improves the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (TIFIA) and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) programs to support housing near transit. It creates new definitions for "attainable housing projects" (affordable to households earning up to 120% of area median income, with most units affordable to those earning up to 80% of area median income) and allows an "investment-creditworthiness assessment alternative" instead of requiring investment-grade ratings for financing. The bill requires at least 75% of TIFIA funding for attainable housing projects to go toward residential components, sets a lower interest rate (half the Treasury Rate) for these projects, and exempts certain land acquisition activities from environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Rail

in committee · United States · House Dec 19, 2025

HR 4856: Revitalizing America’s Housing Act

The Revitalizing America's Housing Act proposes multiple measures to increase housing supply and affordability through tax incentives, zoning reforms, and improved safety standards. Key provisions include a new Neighborhood Homes Credit to incentivize building or rehabilitating homes in affordable areas, zoning reform incentives to encourage municipalities to adopt more housing-friendly policies, and expanded tax benefits for homeowners selling primary residences. The bill also includes specific protections for veterans' housing, improved lead and mold safety standards for public housing, and requirements for better oversight of housing programs. These changes directly affect homeowners, renters, housing developers, public housing agencies, and local governments across the country.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Zoning

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 4576: Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2025

This bill amends federal transit grant rules to incentivize local housing policies near transit. It defines "pro-housing policies" as actions removing regulatory barriers (like eliminating parking minimums or streamlining approvals for multi-family housing) and adds a 1-point scoring boost in grant evaluations for projects demonstrating such policies within walking distance of transit. Local governments and developers seeking federal transit capital grants can earn this boost by documenting these policies, with HUD consulted to assess expected housing outcomes. The policy directly affects how transit projects are scored for funding, aiming to align housing production with transit access.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Electric Vehicles Public Transit Rail

in committee · United States · House Feb 26, 2025

HR 1609: Local Zoning Decisions Protection Act of 2025

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.

Topics ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Historic Preservation Land Use Zoning

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2390: Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act

This bill streamlines environmental reviews for certain housing projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It reclassifies HUD-funded housing activities into three categories: some (like tenant assistance) become fully exempt from review, others (like rehabbing small buildings) get simplified "categorical exclusion" status if they don’t alter environmental conditions, and infill projects (new construction on previously disturbed urban land surrounded by development) receive streamlined review. The bill directly affects HUD housing programs, developers of infill projects, and local governments managing housing approvals. It aims to reduce review times and administrative costs, with HUD required to report annually on these impacts, particularly for affordable housing.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning

in committee · United States · House Sep 26, 2025

HR 5601: Faith in Housing Act of 2025

The Faith in Housing Act of 2025 allows houses of worship (churches or religious associations exempt from taxes under IRS Code 501(a)) to build or rehabilitate affordable housing on their eligible land, overriding local zoning rules that previously blocked such projects. It defines "affordable housing" as units meeting specific affordability thresholds (e.g., 140% of area median income, 30-year affordability commitments) and requires compliance with building codes and the Fair Housing Act. The bill preempts state/local laws conflicting with this authority but permits reasonable safety inspections and exempts rules targeting site-specific hazards like floods. It applies only to land owned by houses of worship for at least five years (or owned before January 2023), with the organization needing to notify local authorities in writing to activate the provision.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

in committee · United States · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 3600: National Housing Emergency Act of 2026

S 3600 declares a national housing emergency, requiring the President to use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic materials for housing construction and rehabilitation. It temporarily suspends federal environmental reviews for housing projects, removes barriers like zoning restrictions (e.g., minimum lot sizes, parking requirements), and waives certain regulations affecting housing development. States and localities must meet housing growth targets - such as increasing permits or allowing duplexes - to qualify for federal block grants. The bill aims to address a projected 4 million housing shortage by accelerating construction, with the emergency ending when 4 million units are built or by 2031.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Zoning

in committee · United States · House Jan 31, 2025

HR 855: Housing Innovation Act

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.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Land Use Zoning Tags Urban Areas

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 28, 2025

S 3067: Innovation Fund Act

S 3067, the Innovation Fund Act, establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help eligible cities, counties, and tribes increase local housing supply. The program provides annual grants (ranging from $250,000 to $10 million) to entities that have demonstrated improved housing supply growth, with priority given to innovative zoning reforms and initiatives that expand "attainable housing" (housing serving households at 60-120% of area median income). Grants can fund activities like revising parking requirements, eliminating restrictive zoning, streamlining permitting, and creating mixed-income developments. The bill authorizes $200 million annually (adjusted for inflation) for fiscal years 2027-2031 and explicitly states it does not override local zoning laws or affect existing housing program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning

All housing bills