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WASHINGTON, DC – Up for Growth Action is proud to support the reintroduction of the “Housing Supply Frameworks Act,” introduced by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), John Fetterman (D-PA),  Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Representatives Mike Flood (R-NE) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO). This important legislation is designed to help local and state officials proactively explore solutions for pro-housing reforms that will increase the housing supply in their communities.   

“We are excited to support this bill; it will empower local governments to implement meaningful and proven reforms to land use policies to increase homebuilding,” said Up for Growth Action CEO Mike Kingsella. “By bringing together experts through the field of housing, this legislation will create a gold standard for pro-housing reforms at the local and state level.”

The “Housing Supply Frameworks Act” will direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop best practices on zoning and land use to encourage housing production. The recommendations from this work will include guidance on reducing or eliminating parking minimums, reforming floor area ratio, building height, setback, and other requirements, and increasing by-right approvals, among others.   

A HUD-convened working group will develop these best practices and recommendations, which will be made up of professionals in the field of housing. This will include planners, architects, builders, developers, advocates, and researchers.   

According to Up for Growth’s 2024 Housing Underproduction in the U.S. Report, the U.S. is 3.85M homes short of meeting housing needs, all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are experiencing a housing shortage, and one-third of U.S. households are cost-burdened.  

Additional research highlights the stark impact of regulatory barriers on housing affordability, showing that these obstacles can inflate the cost of new homes by up to 41% for multifamily developments. The proposed recommendations from this legislation will aim to reduce these costs and facilitate the construction of urgently needed housing.  

“This groundbreaking legislation will increase housing stock, promote economic vitality, and enhance community-led growth,” added Kingsella. “We applaud Senators Rochester (D-DE), Fetterman (D-PA), Crapo (R-ID), and Tillis (R-NC) and Representatives Flood (R-NE) and Pettersen (D-CO) for their continued leadership and dedication to solving America’s housing affordability crisis through smart, bipartisan approaches.”