Better Use of Intergovernmental and Local Development for Housing Act; BUILD Housing Act
Summary
The BUILD Housing Act aims to streamline environmental reviews for certain housing assistance administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It allows the Secretary of HUD to designate specific assistance as special projects, simplifying the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The bill also expands the ability to assume environmental review responsibilities to include Indian Tribes, in addition to states and local governments.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to expedite the environmental review process for HUD-administered housing projects. This could lead to faster project approvals and quicker deployment of housing assistance. It also empowers Indian Tribes by allowing them to assume environmental review obligations, potentially leading to more culturally sensitive and efficient project implementation on tribal lands.
Potential Benefits
- Faster Housing Project Approvals: Streamlining environmental reviews can accelerate the development of affordable housing.
- Empowerment of Indian Tribes: Allowing tribes to assume environmental review obligations promotes self-determination.
- Reduced Bureaucratic Delays: Simplifying the review process can cut down on administrative bottlenecks.
- More Efficient Use of Resources: Faster project cycles can lead to more efficient allocation of HUD resources.
- Potential for Increased Housing Supply: By speeding up approvals, the bill could contribute to an increase in the supply of affordable housing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for Inadequate Environmental Review: Streamlining may lead to less thorough environmental assessments.
- Risk of Overlooking Environmental Impacts: Expedited reviews could result in overlooking potential negative impacts on the environment.
- Possible Legal Challenges: The streamlined process could face legal challenges from environmental groups.
- Uneven Implementation: The benefits may not be evenly distributed across all regions or tribal lands.
- Lack of Transparency: Reduced review processes could decrease public input and transparency.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it seeks to promote housing development. By including Indian Tribes in the environmental review process, it also acknowledges the federal government's relationship with tribal nations. Article I, Section 8, Clause 3, which grants Congress the power to regulate commerce with Indian tribes, could be relevant to this expansion of tribal authority in environmental reviews.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).