East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Lisa Blunt Rochester, John Fetterman, and Thom Tillis have introduced a new piece of legislation, the Housing Supply Frameworks Act, aimed at addressing the ongoing affordable housing crisis. The bill proposes a framework that would enable the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist local governments in revising their zoning and land use regulations, with the goal of increasing housing supply across income levels.

Senator Crapo highlighted that "equipping cities and states with tools to change their zoning and land use policies to accommodate increasing the available supply of housing is a good place to start in mitigating this crisis." He emphasized that the legislation does not impose federal mandates but empowers municipalities to implement zoning reforms tailored to their specific needs.

Senator Blunt Rochester noted the widespread impact of the housing crisis, stating, "Everyone deserves a safe, comfortable, and affordable place to call home." She emphasized that the act aims to reduce regulatory barriers and facilitate the construction of affordable housing.

Senator Fetterman underscored the importance of the act in light of the current housing challenges in Pennsylvania and across the nation. "We are currently facing a housing crisis in Pennsylvania and across the country. We must increase our housing supply to meet Americans’ needs," he stated.

The act also has support from Representatives Brittany Pettersen and Mike Flood, who introduced the bill in the House of Representatives. Rep. Pettersen mentioned the need to "build up the supply of housing to bring down costs for renters and homebuyers."

Furthermore, the initiative is backed by over 140 housing advocacy organizations, including the American Planning Association, the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development, Habitat for Humanity International, and the National Association of Realtors. Shannon McGahn from the National Association of Realtors described the act as providing "much-needed leadership and guidance to help communities overcome barriers to housing development."

Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action, reinforced the significance of the legislation, saying it "will tip the scales in hundreds of communities who are eager to create more housing but need help getting started."

The proposed framework acknowledges the legacy of federal zoning foundation laid by the Standard State Zoning Enabling Act of the 1920s and seeks to equip localities and states with the regulatory tools necessary for addressing 21st-century housing demands.