WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Housing Supply Frameworks Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation that provides resources to help communities update their zoning and land use regulation to reduce unnecessary burdens and increase the supply of affordable housing across income levels.
“This bipartisan legislation gives local communities the tools they need to modernize zoning and land use policies to make housing more affordable and accessible for North Carolinians,” said Senator Tillis. “By equipping states and municipalities with the resources to streamline regulations and cut unnecessary red tape, we can expand affordable housing options for families across the nation.”
“Supporting legislation that empowers state and local governments with the resources, data, and innovative models they need to reform regulatory barriers is essential to solving the housing crisis,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO, Up for Growth Action. “The Housing Supply Frameworks Act will tip the scales in hundreds of communities who are eager to create more housing but need help getting started.”
“Supporting innovative local approaches to housing and zoning reform is an essential part of tackling the nation’s housing crisis,” said Sue Schwartz, President, American Planning Association. “The bipartisan Housing Supply Frameworks Act will provide critical insights and understandings that planners need to drive the reforms necessary to unlock the housing supply, choice, and affordability that communities need. The American Planning Association supports this legislation as a targeted, high-impact tool to meet today’s housing challenge.”
“Solving our nation’s housing affordability crisis requires innovative solutions at all levels of government and a bipartisan commitment to expanding available supply,” said Michele Stockwell, President, Bipartisan Policy Center Action. “BPC Action applauds the work of Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mike Crapo (R-ID), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) in introducing the Housing Supply Frameworks Act which will ensure HUD can be a resource for states and localities looking to amend overly restrictive zoning regulations and break down barriers to building affordable housing in their communities.”
“Zoning is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to solving the nation’s affordable housing crisis,” said Renee Willis, Interim President and CEO, NLIHC. “The Housing Supply and Innovations Frameworks Act would help provide communities with the information they need to adopt zoning practices that facilitate the construction of affordable, accessible homes and inclusive communities. I applaud Representative Mike Flood and Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester, Thom Tillis, Mike Crapo, and John Fetterman for introducing this important, common-sense legislation.”
“Housing supply shortages continue to exacerbate affordability challenges in communities across our country - and it's past time for bold, bipartisan action,” said Bob Pinnegar, President and CEO, National Apartment Association. “Working alongside subject matter experts from across the housing space, this legislation would provide states and localities with frameworks for positive and meaningful housing policy reform. NAA is proud to support to support this bill as an important step in boosting our nation's housing stock, and thanks Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), John Fetterman (D-Penn.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Representatives Mike Flood (R-Neb.-1) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.-7) for their important leadership across the aisle.”
“The National Association of REALTORS® is proud to support the Housing Supply Frameworks Act(HSFA),” said Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief of Advocacy Officer, National Association of Realtors. “This bipartisan legislation provides much-needed leadership and guidance to help communities overcome barriers to housing development. By encouraging smart, locally driven reforms, HSFA will play a vital role in addressing our nation’s housing shortage and help expand access to affordable homeownership and rental opportunities.”
“NAHB commends Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) as well as Senators John Fetterman (R-Pa.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Mike Crapo (R-Id.), and Thom Tillis (R-NC) for introducing legislation designed to ease America’s housing affordability crisis by focusing on proven and?innovative solutions to increase the nation’s housing supply,” said Buddy Hughes, Chairman, National Association of Home Builders. “The Housing Supply Frameworks Act directs HUD to work in tandem with state and local governments to reduce red tape and develop best practices to boost housing production and streamline land-use policies. This bill will help expand housing and economic opportunities in communities across the land.”
“Too many families are locked out of homeownership due to our housing supply shortage,” said Laura Arce, Senior Vice President for Economic Intiatives, UnidosUS. “UnidosUS supports the Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act?as a bipartisan solution to develop zoning and land use best practices that would make it easier, faster, and more affordable to build homes. This is the type of housing policy American families are waiting on.”
“We view this legislation as a good first step and look forward to working with Congress to find solutions to break down the regulatory barriers that jeopardize our ability to create the housing that is needed for residents across all income levels,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, President, NMHC.
“A record shortage of starter homes has inflated home prices and pushed homeownership out of reach for millions of families and essential workers nationwide,” said Chris Vincent, Vice President of Government Relations and Advocacy, Humanity International. “The?Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act?would accelerate pro-housing regulatory reforms at the local and state levels that increase the supply of starter homes in America by addressing outdated zoning barriers. It would empower reform-minded governments to modernize their land use policies in ways best suited to their local communities. Habitat for Humanity urges Congress to pass it.”
Background:
Companion legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by Representatives Brittany Petterson (D-CO) and Mike Flood (R-NE).
The federal government first laid the foundation for zoning in the 1920s with the Standard State Zoning Enabling Act, a model law for states to enable zoning regulations in their jurisdictions. This legislation provides a similar conceptual framework that will help states and localities move toward the regulatory structure needed for the housing industry of the 21st century.
The legislation is endorsed by over 140 housing advocacy organizations, including: Up For Growth Action, American Planning Association, Casita Coalition, Chamber of Progress, Coalition For Home Repair (formerly ReFrame Foundation), Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, Congress For The New Urbanism, Inc., Council for Affordable and Rural Housing, Enterprise Community Partners, Grounded Solutions Network, Habitat For Humanity International, Inc., Housing Assistance Council, Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers, Inclusive Abundance Action, Leading Builders of America, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors, Main Street America, Mortgage Bankers Association, National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Apartment Association, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Residential Property Managers, National Council of State Housing Agencies, National Housing Conference, Inc., National Leased Housing Association, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Multifamily Housing Council, National NeighborWorks Association, National Rental Home Council, National Urban League, Niskanen Center, Smart Growth America, UnidosUS, and YIMBY Action.
A one-pager on the bill is available HERE.
Full text of the legislation is available HERE.
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