In communities across the nation, complex and restrictive land-use regulations, permitting processes, and other regulatory burdens hinder housing production, causing a spike in housing cost. These regulations have contributed to an acute housing supply crisis with an estimated shortage of nearly 5 million housing units.
On November 5th, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick introduced the new Accelerating Home Building Act, bicameral legislation, which will make housing more affordable for buyers in Pennsylvania and across the country. It has been known that for years, Pennsylvania has fallen behind the nation in new home construction.
This pushes higher prices and homeownership further and further out of reach. In Bucks and Montgomery counties, home builders, community stakeholders, and advocates are clear; stating that without more efficient pathways to advance responsible projects, families will continue to struggle finding sustainable and affordable homes.
Across America, many communities are starting to adopt a more modernized approach, known as pattern zoning. This is where architects and local governments collaborate on pattern books of pre-approved, standardized designs such as duplexes, triplexes and multiplexes.
The Accelerating Home Building Act builds on that by establishing a federal grant program. By providing a middle ground between rigid design rules and unpredictable pattern zoning speeds up the construction of new homes, which strikes a balance between rapid building and community design goals.
It establishes a HUD administered grant program to fund the creation of pattern books, with a focus on missing middle and infill construction. It provides set-asides for rural communities and prioritizes high opportunity areas and locals working to reduce barriers in housing development.
Pattern Zoning is creative and cost-effective. Communities may lack the funds and capacity to implement pre-reviewed designs effectively.
“Housing is a real and growing concern in our community. Families are being stretched thin, young people are struggling to put down roots, and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve long called home. This bill clears a path for local governments to get homes built faster, more affordably, and in ways that reflect the needs of the communities they serve. It’s a bipartisan solution that puts more homes directly in our community, supports smart growth across the country, and keeps opportunity within reach for the next generation,” said Fitzpatrick.
It is endorsed by The American Planning Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, Up for Growth Action, National Apartment Association, Smart Growth America, Main Street America, and finally the National Association of Realtors.
“NAR is grateful that Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick, Janelle Bynum, Bryan Steil, and Chris Pappas introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Chief Advocacy Officer and Executive Vice President.
“NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country. We support this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability.”
Overall, the Accelerating Home Building Act aims to increase housing supply by providing grants to local governments to streamline construction and “cut red tape”. It will seak to tackle the housing crisis by encouraging more efficient construction practices and reducing regulatory barriers at the local level.