S. 2416: Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act

The "Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act" aims to address the shortages of affordable housing in the United States, which has become a significant issue leading to increased living costs and economic constraints. The bill encourages the identification and reduction of overly burdensome land use policies that hinder housing development. It seeks to empower local governments and housing authorities to adapt land use policies to better support the creation of housing.

Key Provisions of the Bill

• The bill requires certain recipients of federal housing grants to prepare and submit a plan that evaluates land use policies that may be considered overly restrictive.
• This evaluation must occur at least once every five years and include a description of adopted, intended, or beneficial land use policies.
• The bill outlines specific land use policies that recipients should consider adopting, including:
  • Expanding multifamily zoned areas.
  • Permitting duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes in single-family zones.
  • Allowing manufactured homes in single-family residential zones.
  • Permitting multifamily developments in commercial and light manufacturing zones.
  • Reducing minimum lot sizes and requirements on residential unit square footage.
  • Implementing streamlined permitting processes to shorten approval times.
  • Removing off-street parking mandates to facilitate development.
  • Allowing the conversion of existing buildings, such as offices, into residential units.
  • Encouraging significant changes like creating transit-oriented development zones and density bonuses for affordable housing.

Objectives of the Bill

• The primary goal is to alleviate the national housing shortage, which Congress notes contributes significantly to economic loss and cost burdens for millions of households.
• The legislation aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Community Development Block Grant program by ensuring land use policies facilitate the development of affordable housing.
• This effort involves not only addressing housing shortages but also promoting economic opportunities and productivity by lifting constraints imposed by current land use regulations.

Implementation and Monitoring

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would be involved in monitoring the implementation of these measures. They are encouraged to maintain adequate staffing to support local jurisdictions.
• The submission of plans outlining local land use policies would not be used as a basis for enforcement actions, meaning jurisdictions won’t be penalized based on their evaluations.
• Acceptance or rejection of submitted plans won’t indicate approval or endorsement by the government, ensuring that the responsibility remains with the jurisdictions involved.

Effective Date of the Bill

• The requirements would take effect one year after the bill is enacted.
• The provisions apply to current and future federal grant recipients under the specified Housing and Community Development Act sections.

Relevant Companies

• None found