Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4659
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act aims to address the U.S. housing shortage by encouraging local governments that receive federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to identify and plan for land use policies that reduce barriers to affordable housing development. It seeks to align with the original goals of the CDBG program by discouraging overly restrictive zoning and land use rules that drive up housing costs.
Key Provisions
- Reporting Requirement: Grantees receiving CDBG funds under specific sections (for entitlement communities, states, or certain non-entitlement areas) must submit a plan at least once every five years before receiving grants. The plan must describe, for a list of 22 specified land use policies:
- Whether the policy has already been adopted in their jurisdiction in the past five years.
- Plans to adopt and implement it.
- Expected benefits to the jurisdiction.
- Specified Land Use Policies: These include measures to promote denser and more affordable housing, such as:
- Allowing multifamily buildings (e.g., apartments) in areas zoned for single-family homes.
- Permitting duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes in single-family zones.
- Enabling manufactured homes, accessory dwelling units (small secondary units on the same property), or conversions of offices to apartments in residential areas.
- Reducing minimum lot sizes, parking requirements, or building height limits.
- Streamlining permitting processes, creating transit-oriented zones, or offering density bonuses (incentives for building more units).
- Other reforms like tax abatements for higher-density projects or donating land for affordable housing.
- Non-Binding Nature: Submissions do not commit grantees to any actions and cannot be used by the federal government for enforcement or penalties. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will not endorse or approve the plans.
- Standardized Process: HUD must create a uniform form and regulations for submissions.
- Effective Date: The requirements start one year after enactment and apply to all eligible grantees, regardless of when they receive funds.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Section 104 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (which governs CDBG planning and applications) by adding a new subsection (n). It introduces a mandatory but non-enforceable reporting mechanism on land use reforms, which did not previously exist. No direct mandates for policy changes are added; instead, it focuses on tracking and planning to highlight barriers voluntarily.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD will need to develop regulations, forms, and maintain staffing to review submissions and support communities in addressing zoning challenges. This could increase administrative workload but promote better coordination on housing programs.
- On Citizens: May lead to more affordable housing options in rural, urban, and suburban areas by pressuring local governments to consider reforms, potentially reducing costs for renters and buyers burdened by high prices (estimated at $2 trillion annually in economic losses from shortages).
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic housing policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Local Governments and States: Primary grantees under CDBG (e.g., cities, counties, and states serving non-entitlement areas) must prepare and submit plans, potentially influencing their zoning decisions.
- Federal Government (HUD): Responsible for oversight, regulation, and technical assistance without enforcement powers.
- Housing Developers and Builders: Could benefit from easier adoption of pro-density policies, facilitating more projects like multifamily units or accessory dwellings.
- Residents and Communities: Low- and moderate-income households may gain access to cheaper housing, while neighborhoods could see changes in development patterns affecting property values or community character.
- Vulnerable Populations: Programs serving those in need of affordable or quality housing (e.g., in historic districts) stand to benefit from coordinated policies.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: The non-binding and non-enforceable aspects limit legal risks, ensuring submissions cannot trigger federal penalties or lawsuits. This respects local control over zoning (a state and local authority) while tying reporting to federal grant eligibility.
- Constitutional Implications: No major concerns, as it conditions federal funding on informational reporting without compelling policy changes, avoiding potential Tenth Amendment issues on federal overreach into local land use.
- Political Implications: The bill highlights bipartisan interest in housing affordability (introduced by representatives from both parties) and could spark debates on balancing local autonomy with national housing goals. It positions CDBG funds as a tool for voluntary reform rather than mandates, potentially encouraging similar incentives in future legislation.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (6)
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (7 pages)