Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act
- Bill Number
- S. 2390
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-27T12:03:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the legislation This bill directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to streamline environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for various housing-related activities. The goal is to reduce review times and administrative costs, particularly for affordable housing projects.
Key provisions outlined
- Definitions: The bill defines an "infill project" as development on previously disturbed land of 5 acres or less within a municipality, served by existing utilities, surrounded by existing development, and intended for residential or commercial use. The "Secretary" refers to the HUD Secretary.
- Reclassification of activities (Section 3): HUD must update regulations to place housing activities into three tiers of reduced NEPA scrutiny, modeled on existing rules in 24 CFR parts 58 and 50 (as of January 1, 2025):
- Exempt activities (similar to 24 CFR 58.34): Includes tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, operating costs, economic development activities without construction, homebuyer assistance for existing units, pre-development costs without physical impact, supplemental insurance approvals, and emergency utility assistance.
- Categorical exclusions not subject to certain reviews (similar to 24 CFR 58.35(b) and 50.19): Covers repairs to public facilities (with limits on size changes), rehabilitation of 1-4 unit buildings and related infrastructure, new construction or disposition of up to 4 scattered-site units, and acquisitions or dispositions of existing structures or vacant land for the same use.
- Categorical exclusions subject to reviews (similar to 24 CFR 58.35(a) and 50.20): Applies to acquisitions for open space or relocation from high-risk areas, conversion of office buildings to housing (with unit and size limits), new construction or rehabilitation of 5-15 units (or scattered sites with spacing rules), infill projects, and buyouts of properties in floodways or disaster-impacted areas. Conditions require no material change to environmental conditions or project scope.
- Rulemaking requirement: Changes must follow standard administrative procedures under 5 U.S.C. 553 and NEPA section 103.
- Reporting (Section 4): HUD must submit annual reports for five years (starting two years after enactment) to Senate and House committees detailing reductions in review times and costs, with emphasis on affordable housing, plus recommendations for further changes.
Significant changes to existing law introduced The bill expands the use of exemptions and categorical exclusions for HUD-funded housing activities, shifting many from full environmental assessments or impact statements to lighter review categories. This modifies how NEPA applies to activities previously subject to more rigorous scrutiny under 24 CFR parts 50 and 58.
Potential impacts on government agencies, citizens, or international relations
- Government agencies: HUD and local grantees may experience faster project approvals and lower administrative burdens; environmental reviews by other agencies could also be affected indirectly.
- Citizens: Could lead to quicker development of housing, including affordable units, repairs, and conversions, potentially increasing supply in urban and suburban areas.
- International relations: No direct impacts identified.
Main stakeholders affected
- HUD and its grantees (state and local governments).
- Housing developers, nonprofits, and property owners involved in rental assistance, rehabilitation, new construction, or conversions.
- Residents seeking affordable or emergency housing.
- Environmental review agencies and advocacy groups.
Notable legal, constitutional, or political implications The legislation relies on existing administrative authority to reclassify activities through regulation rather than altering NEPA itself. It focuses on reducing regulatory barriers for housing without changing core environmental protections for activities outside the specified categories. No constitutional issues are addressed in the bill.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-23: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 2025-07-23: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act — issued 2025-07-23 — PDF (8 pages)