On Wednesday, U.S. Reps. Mike Flood (R-Neb.) and Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) introduced the Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act. The bipartisan measure aims to increase housing supply by encouraging local governments to examine and reduce restrictive zoning and development policies.
“Housing affordability is a major concern for communities nationwide,” said Flood, who chairs the House subcommittee on housing and insurance. “This bipartisan bill helps accomplish that goal by shedding light on onerous local zoning and development policies so we can build more housing.”
Pettersen said the legislation responds to urgent housing pressures across the country.
“People across Colorado know all too well how drastic the housing crisis is in our country. We simply cannot keep up with the demand for affordable housing for our workers, seniors, or low and middle-income families,” she said.
“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to encourage local governments to work together to address policies that may be affecting affordability and build more housing to help those who need it the most.”
The legislation promotes transparency in land-use planning, encourages local reform efforts and reinforces the role of the federal Community Development Block Grant program in addressing inventory shortages.
The bill has drawn support from a wide range of national organizations, including the National Association of Home Builders, the National Multifamily Housing Council, Habitat for Humanity International, the National Apartment Association and Smart Growth America.
It is also backed by pro-housing and yes-in-my-backyard (YIMBY) groups in dozens of states and cities.
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