S. 2391: Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act

The bill titled the "Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act" (or "BUILD Housing Act") aims to modify certain environmental review procedures related to housing assistance administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The main components of the bill include:

Designation of Environmental Review Procedure

The Secretary of HUD is authorized to determine specific environmental review procedures for funding assistance provided under certain programs. This includes:

• Allowing the Secretary to classify funding assistance for housing projects as special projects under the environmental review framework of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This enables a streamlined review process for environmental assessments related to these projects.
• These designated procedures aim to facilitate quicker decision-making regarding housing projects and reduce regulatory burdens that might delay housing development.

Exemption from Existing Procedures

The bill specifies that this designation does not apply to types of assistance for which other established procedures under NEPA or related laws are already defined. This means some housing assistance may still need to follow existing environmental review processes depending on the specific situation.

Inclusion of Tribes in Environmental Review Obligations

Another key aspect of the bill is to allow Indian Tribes to assume environmental review obligations. Changes include:

• Modifying language in the existing law to include “Indian Tribe” alongside states and local governments as eligible entities for environmental review responsibilities concerning housing assistance.
• Defining “Indian Tribe” according to the standards set by the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996, ensuring that federally recognized tribes can participate in and benefit from these housing initiatives.

Goals of the Legislation

The overarching intention of the bill is to improve housing development efficiency by streamlining the environmental review process and expanding the role of indigenous tribes in housing-related environmental assessments. The aim is to facilitate the construction and availability of housing, particularly in areas needing rapid development.

Relevant Companies

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