The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is mandated to establish a demonstration program, known as the FAST Housing Act , within one year of enactment. This program will award up to 15 competitive grants to eligible local governments or public housing agencies to develop workforce and affordable housing. Grants are targeted at areas where the workforce is significantly expanding, particularly due to federal investments like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or the CHIPS and Science Act, and where a housing supply shortage exists. To qualify for a grant, applicants must detail existing laws facilitating workforce housing and propose new zoning reforms to accelerate development. These reforms can include upzoning expedited permitting by-right zoning near public transit reducing barriers for manufactured housing removing parking minimums and reducing minimum lot sizes . Grant funds can be used to finance new construction, rehabilitate existing properties, convert commercial spaces, provide technical assistance, and acquire properties for development, with at least 30 percent of units designated as affordable housing for a minimum of five years. The program will be funded by 10 percent of unobligated COVID funds, and HUD will conduct annual studies to evaluate its effectiveness.