Bynum Advances Bipartisan Housing Bill Out of Financial Services Committee

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) advanced the bipartisan, bicameral Accelerating Home Building Act, as part of a broader package, through the Financial Services Committee, marking a key step on the process to becoming law. The bill will help build more and lower the cost of housing in Oregon and across the country. This bill is co-led by Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Chris Pappas (NH-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and is the fourth bipartisan bill Rep. Bynum has advanced through the committee. 

“Housing has been a day-one priority for me,” said Rep. Bynum. “I’m proud that this bill to build more housing and lower costs is one step closer to becoming law. I’ll partner with anyone to get it done for Oregon’s Fifth, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to deliver results for our small businesses.”

Background:

In a recent study of housing affordability and homebuilding, Oregon earned an ‘F,’ ranking 45th out of the 50 states. It is estimated that Oregon will likely need to build over 140,000 single-family homes by 2030 to meet demand. Moreover, delays caused by complex and restrictive permitting processes and other regulatory burdens have resulted in a nationwide housing shortage of nearly 5 million homes.

Nationwide, communities are investing in a process called pattern zoning, in which architects and local governments develop pattern books full of pre-approved, standardized plans and designs. This bipartisan bill would establish a grant program to fund the creation of these pattern books, speeding up the permitting and home building process and lowering costs for home-buyers.

Specifically, this legislation would: 

• Establish a pilot HUD-administered grant program to fund the creation of pattern books with a focus on missing middle and infill construction; and
• Provide set-asides for rural communities and prioritize high-opportunity areas and localities working to reduce barriers to housing development.

This legislation was also introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).

This legislation 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 the National Association of REALTORS.

“NAR is grateful that Representatives Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Bryan Steil (R-WI), Chris Pappas (D-NH) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) 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.” 

You can view a one-pager on the legislation here and the full text of the bill here.

In Congress, Rep. Bynum is a member of the House Financial Services Committee and sits on the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, where she works to address the housing shortage and make life more affordable for Oregon families.

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