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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC –Up for Growth Action today applauded the introduction of the Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply (IRBHS) Act, a bipartisan effort championed by Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE-1) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN). The legislation is a major step toward encouraging communities to build more housing at all price points and restoring balance to the nation’s housing market. 

Formerly known as the Yes in My Back Yard (YIMBY) Act, the bill previously passed the House without opposition in 2020 and was approved unanimously by the House Financial Services Committee in the 118th Congress. Its reintroduction marks a continued commitment to creating more opportunities for Americans to access an affordable home. 

“America’s housing shortage is rooted in exclusionary zoning and restrictive land-use policies. The Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act addresses this challenge head-on,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth Action. “By requiring communities to report on their implementation of twenty-two proven pro-housing policies, this bill lays out a clear path forward—highlighting proven strategies that reduce costs, accelerate housing production, and unlock new opportunities for American families.” 

“Housing affordability is a major concern for communities nationwide. As Chairman of the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee, I have remained focused on commonsense, consensus-building efforts to find meaningful solutions to America’s housing crisis. This bipartisan bill helps accomplish that goal by shedding light on onerous local zoning and development policies so we can build more housing,” said Congressman Flood. 

“People across Colorado know all too well how drastic the housing crisis is in our country. We simply cannot keep up with the demand for affordable housing for our workers, seniors, or low and middle-income families,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues to encourage local governments to work together to address policies that may be affecting affordability and build more housing to help those who need it the most.” 

The IRBHS Act requires localities receiving Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to report on their adoption of policies that impact housing supply and affordability. Importantly, the legislation does not mandate specific policy changes. Instead, it uses transparency to empower communities and encourage them to address the housing crisis actively with proven solutions. 

The legislation is timely, given the persistent gap between housing supply and demand. A 2024 report from Up for Growth, “Housing Underproduction in the U.S.,” revealed a nationwide shortfall of 3.85 million homes in 2022—a deficit that has more than doubled since 2012. The IRBHS Act provides a crucial, data-driven tool for communities to implement effective housing solutions, complementing other legislative proposals aimed at closing this gap. 

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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.