Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act

This legislation aims to discourage the use of overly burdensome land use policies and remove barriers to making housing more affordable, thereby furthering the original intent of the Community Development Grant program. Congress finds that the United States faces a significant housing shortage, contributing to cost-burdened households and economic constraints, and that zoning and land use policy reforms are crucial for addressing rising housing costs. The bill applies to certain grantees receiving federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. These grantees will be required to submit a plan, at least once every five years, detailing how they will track and reduce specific land use policies that impede housing supply. Examples of these policies include expanding by-right multifamily zoning, allowing duplexes or manufactured homes in single-family areas, reducing minimum lot sizes, streamlining permitting processes, and eliminating off-street parking requirements. The plan must describe whether the recipient has already adopted such policies, their strategy to implement them, and the anticipated benefits for their jurisdiction. Importantly, the submission of this plan is not binding, its acceptance does not constitute an endorsement, and the information provided cannot be used as a basis for enforcement actions. These requirements will become effective one year after the bill's enactment.