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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Up for Growth Action Applauds Reintroduction of Bipartisan Build More Housing Near Transit Act to Address the Nation’s Housing Shortfall 

WASHINGTON, DC –Up for Growth Action applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Build More Housing Near Transit Act (BMHNTA), a commonsense legislative effort aimed at tackling the severe housing supply and affordability crisis facing the United States. This crucial bill provides a clear path forward to alleviate the nation’s shortfall of 3.85 million homes and help families access affordable housing and commutes. 

We extend our sincere gratitude and congratulations to Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT-1), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) for their bipartisan leadership in championing this vital legislation. 

The BMHNTA is designed to strategically leverage federal resources to encourage the development of affordable housing near transit projects. It directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide a scoring benefit in project evaluations for sponsors who submit housing feasibility assessments and demonstrate significant efforts to align land use and zoning policies that encourage more affordable housing near proposed transit projects. Furthermore, the bill allows federal funding used for affordable housing planning and development within a half-mile of a project station to count towards the total project cost when determining the government’s cost-share. In essence, the BMHNTA incentivizes local governments to implement pro-housing policies along transit routes, fostering communities where workforces have both easy access to housing and low-cost commutes. 

“America is experiencing a severe housing shortage that affects every aspect of American lives and the economy,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “The Build More Housing Near Transit Act addresses the critical link between transportation and housing and would create greater access to affordable commutes and abundant housing. We applaud the lead sponsors for introducing this bill, serving as an example of how the federal government can use its leverage to ensure the right types of housing are available in the places people want to live.” 

“The cost of housing remains the greatest barrier to prosperity in California, forcing people to move farther and farther from where they work, which means longer commutes and more air pollution,” said Rep. Peters. “Our bill will get more cars off the road by maximizing federal investments in public transportation and will increase affordable housing options for families across the country.  As a Co-Chair of the YIMBY Caucus and founding member of the growth–oriented Build America Caucus in Congress, I look forward to getting this commonsense legislation across the finish line to help relieve the pressure on cost-burdened Americans.” 

“Housing has consistently been one of the most pressing issues for Utahns since I joined Congress. In some ways, Utah is a victim of its own success. Our incredible quality of life, economic opportunity, and low unemployment rates have put significant strains on our housing market, which has priced out young families from starter homes and presented major challenges to servicemembers at Hill Air Force Base,” said Rep. Moore. “I’m proud to introduce legislation that will condition federal transit grants on whether states are reducing zoning barriers for housing near new bus or rapid transit lines, something that Utah has already been doing for years through the leadership of partners such as UTA along the Wasatch Front and Connect in Cache Valley. The end result will bring more of Utah’s common-sense policies to Washington and help more families find affordable and accessible homes.” 

“The clearest way out of our national housing shortage is by building more housing,” said Senator Schatz. “Our bipartisan bill incentivizes cities and towns to build housing when they expand or redevelop their public transit systems. This will help put more families in homes, grow local economies, and cut carbon pollution. It’s a win for everyone.”  

“This bill makes it easier for communities to build homes for working families by cutting red tape and giving them the freedom to create strong, family-friendly neighborhoods near public transit,” said Senator Banks. 

The current housing crisis has imposed tremendous hardship on working families, with a disproportionate amount of income going towards rent, and homeownership increasingly feeling out of reach. The Build More Housing Near Transit Act offers a vital federal solution to this decades-long problem. 

Up for Growth Action expresses its strong hope that leaders from both parties will continue to recognize the urgent need for supply-focused solutions and work together to pass this critical legislation into law, providing families with safe, secure, and affordable places to call home. 

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About Up for Growth Action: Up for Growth Action® is a 501(c)(4) federal legislative advocacy organization committed to fostering accessible growth through the removal of systemic barriers to housing development. Affiliated with Up for Growth®, a 501(c)(3) organization, it engages in research and advocacy to achieve housing equity and meet the nationwide need for more homes.