To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to annually submit to the Congress a report that analyzes State and local strategies, activities, and plans that promote affordable housing, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2494
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-20T15:42:54Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The legislation, H.R. 2494, aims to address the national affordable housing crisis by requiring the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide Congress with annual reports on successful state and local strategies. This information is intended to help Congress develop federal policies that support effective local efforts to increase affordable housing availability.
Key Provisions
- Findings Section: Outlines the housing crisis, including shortages of millions of units, high renter costs (over one-third of income), and the lack of affordable options for buyers. It emphasizes states' primary role in regulating housing factors, such as zoning reforms, and the need for federal support based on proven state successes.
- Annual Reporting Requirement: Amends existing law to mandate that HUD's Secretary submit a yearly report to Congress. The report must include:
- An analysis of data from the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse (a federal database that collects information on state and local laws, regulations, and policies affecting affordable housing, including efforts to promote it).
- Policy recommendations derived from the analysis to help Congress back successful state and local initiatives.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Builds on the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (specifically Section 1205, which established the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse primarily for use by state and local governments).
- Adds a new subsection (e) to require annual reports to Congress, shifting the clearinghouse's focus to also inform federal lawmakers. Previously, the clearinghouse served mainly as a resource for local governments without a direct congressional reporting mandate.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases HUD's administrative workload by requiring annual data analysis and reporting, potentially enhancing coordination between federal, state, and local levels.
- Citizens: Could indirectly improve access to affordable housing by informing federal policies that remove barriers and promote effective local solutions, benefiting renters and homebuyers facing high costs.
- State and Local Governments: Highlights successful strategies (e.g., zoning reforms), encouraging adoption of proven approaches and potentially unlocking federal support.
- International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic housing policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Government: Congress (receives reports for policy-making) and HUD (responsible for reporting).
- State and Local Governments: Providers of data to the clearinghouse; their efforts may gain federal recognition and support.
- Citizens and Housing Advocates: Low- and moderate-income individuals affected by the housing crisis, including renters and potential homebuyers, who stand to benefit from informed federal responses.
- Real Estate and Development Sector: Developers and organizations involved in housing projects, as policy recommendations could influence regulations and funding.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens the existing framework of the 1992 Act without creating new enforcement mechanisms or penalties; relies on voluntary data collection from states and localities.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending and commerce powers to address national economic issues like housing shortages; no apparent conflicts with states' rights, as it promotes rather than overrides local authority.
- Political: Provides a data-driven tool for bipartisan action on the housing crisis, potentially reducing regulatory barriers nationwide while emphasizing federalism (respecting state-led solutions). It avoids mandates, focusing instead on analysis to guide voluntary federal incentives.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-31: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-03-31: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-31: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to annually submit to the Congress a report that analyzes State and local strategies, activities, and plans that promote affordable housing, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-03-31 — PDF (3 pages)