Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act
Summary
The "Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act" (H.R. 4659) aims to address the national housing shortage by requiring grantees under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to submit plans for tracking and reducing overly burdensome land use policies. This includes policies related to zoning, density, and permitting processes. The goal is to encourage more affordable housing development by removing regulatory obstacles.
Expected Effects
If enacted, H.R. 4659 will require recipients of certain housing and community development grants to create and submit plans detailing their efforts to identify and reduce burdensome land use policies. This could lead to changes in local zoning and land use regulations, potentially increasing housing density and affordability. The Act also emphasizes that the federal government will not use this information for enforcement.
Potential Benefits
- Potentially increases housing affordability by reducing regulatory barriers.
- May stimulate economic growth through increased construction and development.
- Could lead to more diverse housing options within communities.
- Encourages local governments to review and modernize their land use policies.
- Focuses on addressing a critical national shortage of housing.
Potential Disadvantages
- May face resistance from local communities concerned about changes to neighborhood character.
- The effectiveness depends on the willingness of local governments to implement the proposed policies.
- The Act does not provide direct funding or incentives for adopting the recommended policies.
- Could potentially strain existing infrastructure if not managed properly.
- The Act's reliance on existing grant recipients may limit its reach to communities not already receiving such funding.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the General Welfare Clause (Preamble) by attempting to address the housing shortage and promote economic opportunity. Congress's power to regulate land use policies indirectly through federal funding is generally accepted, although the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights.
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).