SE Nebraska News

U.S. Congressman Mike Flood and Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester have introduced the Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act, a bill aimed at addressing housing shortages in the United States. The legislation directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create frameworks for best practices on zoning and land-use policies, providing resources to local and state governments to overcome barriers to housing development.

The HUD-established frameworks are intended as a guide for jurisdictions interested in reforming their zoning laws to encourage building and growth. This initiative is particularly significant for communities facing housing shortages, with an estimated deficit of 4 to 7 million homes nationwide.

Congressman Flood emphasized the importance of this legislation in making housing more accessible: “The rising cost of housing is putting the American Dream out of reach for working families across our country,” he stated. He expressed gratitude towards Rep. Blunt Rochester for her role in this bipartisan effort.

Congresswoman Blunt Rochester highlighted the need for affordable housing based on feedback from Delaware residents: “In conversations with Delawareans up and down our state, one of the top concerns I hear about is the urgent need for more affordable and available housing.” She expressed her commitment to increasing housing supply and reducing costs through this bill.

The bill has garnered support from various stakeholders, including Up for Growth Action CEO Mike Kingsella, who said it "empowers local and state governments with tools needed to streamline land-use policies." Bill Killmer from the Mortgage Bankers Association also supported it as a means to encourage more housing development.

National Apartment Association President Bob Pinnegar described addressing the nation’s longstanding housing shortage as critical, praising Reps. Flood and Blunt Rochester's leadership. Sharon Wilson Géno from National Multifamily Housing Council called it a good first step toward breaking regulatory barriers affecting housing creation.

Angela Brooks from the American Planning Association endorsed the act, emphasizing its potential impact on locally-led solutions. Cynthia Karnai from Delaware State Housing Authority acknowledged similar efforts within Delaware, expressing support for Congresswoman Blunt Rochester's work beyond state lines.

The act is backed by numerous organizations such as Up for Growth Action, National Apartment Association, Mortgage Bankers Association, among others. Congressman Flood has previously prioritized housing issues with other legislative efforts like the Whole-Home Repairs Act.