Sponsors (8)
The bill offers federal data, definitions, and modest funding to encourage zoning reform and increase housing supply, improving prospects for more affordable housing while increasing federal scrutiny, imposing reporting and implementation costs, reducing a centralized Clearinghouse resource, and limiting some local flexibility.
State and local governments (and the communities they serve) gain federally supported data, models, and technical guidance to reform zoning and boost housing supply, which could increase building permits and reduce housing cost burdens.
Households and program administrators get clearer statutory definitions — including 'affordable housing' as units with payments ≤30% of income and defined 'local'/'State zoning framework' terms — reducing administrative ambiguity for HUD and jurisdictions.
Federal funding ($3,000,000 per year for FY2026–2030) is authorized to implement the Act, providing resources to run programs, outreach, and related activities that support the law’s objectives.
States and localities may face increased federal scrutiny or perceived federal pressure on zoning choices, prompting legal or political pushback and concerns about federal overreach in land‑use decisions.
Taxpayers bear new costs: an authorized $15,000,000 over five years plus additional reporting and outreach expenses, and meeting strict affordability definitions could require extra funding from localities or federal programs.
Removing the Clearinghouse eliminates a centralized resource and statutory forum for identifying and removing regulatory barriers, which could slow barrier‑removal efforts, reduce transparency, and leave community groups with fewer federal supports.
Based on analysis of 7 sections of legislative text.
Directs HUD to publish model zoning guidelines and best practices, convene stakeholders, report on adoption and effects, repeals a clearinghouse, and authorizes $3M/year (2026–2030).
Introduced April 3, 2025 by Lisa Blunt Rochester · Last progress April 3, 2025
Directs HUD to create and publish model State and local zoning guidelines and best practices to increase housing supply across income levels, with drafts and a stakeholder task force in the first two years and a final set of guidelines within three years. Requires a follow-up report five years after publication showing which States and localities adopted the recommendations and effects on building permits, repeals an existing Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse, and authorizes $3 million per year for HUD for fiscal years 2026–2030 to implement the law.