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Planners Lead The Way On Local Housing Reform

Housing reform refers to legislative and policy changes that aim to increase housing supply and attainability. Efforts to reduce regulatory barriers like outdated or restrictive zoning laws are key to boosting housing production, lowering construction costs, and diversifying the types of housing available in our communities.

Elected leaders are turning to community planners for their insights and data-backed policy ideas to overcome restrictive zoning and other barriers that prevent housing development in the places where people most need choice. Through federal support, planners are empowered to create the local reforms that best fit their communities' needs.

Featured Video

The New 21st Century ROAD to Housing Law with Jason Jordan

In this special episode of the APA Podcast, recorded fresh off the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act officially becoming law, host Mike Johnson talks to Jason Jordan, APA's public affairs principal. Jason dives into some of the important provisions in the new legislation, outlines some of the funding opportunities, providing a general sense of what comes next and what this means for planners moving forward.

 

Latest News

Landmark Housing Bill Passes

New 21st Century ROAD to Housing law

The much-anticipated 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act  officially passed into law July 11, marking a years-in-the-making win for planning advocates and their communities nationwide.

For planners, the bill is more than a federal housing package. It is a recognition that local planning capacity, modern zoning tools, and implementation support are essential to expanding housing supply and affordability.

Read more

Planning Priorities in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

The newly enacted 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act contains a variety of provisions, new programs, and program reforms that will support local housing plans, plan implementation, and code reforms. Many key elements of the new law reflect ideas and priorities championed by APA and planning advocates that will improve planning and advance housing supply, choice, and affordability.

Themes, Key Provisions, and Next Steps for the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

 

Theme Key Provisions Next Steps
Guidance for State and Local Code Reforms Spotlight on a checklist labeled "Zoning Code" with buildings and trees in the background. Housing Supply Frameworks (Sec.107)
HUD will produce frameworks and models for state and local zoning and land use codes to support reform efforts across the nation and help determine what solutions are working.		 HUD to issue guidelines for public comments within 2 years and final version within 3 years.
A narrow, three-story apartment building with one internal stairway. Guidance for 'Single Stair' Building Code Reform (Sec. 102)
New federal guidelines will be created for communities working to update building codes and speed permitting for 'single stair' / point access design multifamily housing. Pilot grant programs are also established.		 HUD to issue guidelines within 18 months. Appropriations required for grants.
Funding for Local Planning and Implementation A ribbon with a dollar sign in front of a checklist and a mix of residential building types and a tree. Innovation Grants and Support for Local Reforms (Sec. 207, 208)
Two new grant programs would support communities undertaking local reforms. One program would provide support to help with zoning, land use, permitting, and other code overhauls. The other program would reward communities implementing reforms with funding to support housing production and supportive infrastructure.		 HUD to establish grant programs with 1 year. Appropriations required.
A spotlight on three, narrow, mid-rise residential buildings. Updates to Community Development Block Grants (Sec. 104, 204, 213, 504)
CDBG will get several important changes, including more flexibility for use on affordable housing projects, requirements on identifying barriers to production and cataloging of publicly owned land, authorization of the disaster recovery program (CDBG-DR), and an incentive program to reward communities for increasing housing production.		 New requirements mandatory starting FY27. New eligibilities available starting FY27. Competition incentive takes effect third FY after enactment. CDBG-DR effective on enactment and sunsets in 3 years.
A spotlight on and checkmark over an architectural drawing of a small residential building. Grants for Pre-Approved Plans and Designs (Sec. 209)
The Accelerating Home Building section authorizes new grants to help communities develop pre-approved building and site plans to support the production of diverse housing options.		 HUD to establish grant program and reporting requirements. Appropriations required.
A spotlight on open hands holding a person. Flexibility in Combating Homelessness (Sec. 503)
States and localities receiving Emergency Solutions Grant funding will be able to request a waiver of the statutory 60 percent spending cap on emergency shelter beds and street outreach.		 HUD to develop waiver guidance. Applies to FY27-30 grants.
Removal of Federal Barriers to Housing Development A spotlight on a mid-rise residential building and a tree with a leaf encircled by an arrow. Targeted Streamlining for Environmental Reviews (Sec. 103, 205, 206)
HUD and USDA will coordinate joint environmental reviews, and new streamlining would be put in place for target in-fill housing development.		 HUD, USDA to issue updated program guidance. HUD to issue new rule.
A spotlight on a construction crane with its hook directly over a completed home. Removal of Federal 'Chassis Rule' for Manufactured Housing (Sec. 301, 302, 303, 304)
The federal rule requiring a permanent chassis for any manufactured housing regulated under the HUD Code would be repealed to support wider adoption of modular and manufactured housing. A federal study would also identify barriers to modular housing development.		 HUD to update rule and form for state certification. State certification due within 1 year. HUD to update energy standards within 1 year. HUD to issue report on barriers within 1 year.
Housing Finance and Ownership A spotlight on a home encircled by a dollar sign, a site plan, and a hammer. New Funding for Preserving Housing (Sec. 202)
A 'Whole Home' repair program would provide grants and forgivable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners and landlords to support the repair, weatherization, accessibility and renovation of existing affordable housing.		 HUD to establish new grant program. Appropriations required.
A spotlight on a capitol building above a dollar sign that is connected to two homes. Increasing Private Capital and Federal Finance for Housing (Sec. 203, 210, 211, 501, 502)
The bills include reforms to several housing finance rules and programs. The public welfare cap on banks would increase to 20%. Federal finance programs would increase access for accessory dwelling units and manufactured housing. A new program with HOME will support conversion of vacant and abandoned buildings into attainable housing.		 HUD to issue new HOME rules within 1 year. HUD BABA review due within 180 days and new guidance 90 days following the review. USDA report due in 6 months. USDA to establish new program and issue updated rules and guidance for existing programs. OCC/Federal Reserve to new notice on bank rules. HUD to establish new RESIDE grants subject to Congressional appropriations.
Spotlight on a city section map with a marker over a parcel with dashed lines. New Opportunity Zone Incentive (Sec. 201)
HUD is charged with creating a bonus for applicants or projects located within a designated Opportunity Zone for their discretionary grant programs.		 HUD to update existing grant criteria.
A spotlight on apartment buildings with a sign reading "RENT" in front. Build-to-Rent Development Preserved (Sec. 1001)
Restrictions on build-to-rent ownership timelines were removed while maintaining some new restrictions for institutional investor ownership of single-family housing.		 Treasury to issue new rule. Prohibition takes effect 180 days after enactment.

 

 

Housing Supply Accelerator

Housing Supply Accelerator Challenge logo

solutions and strategies to Increase local housing

The Housing Supply Accelerator is a national campaign to improve local capacity, identify critical solutions, and speed reforms that enable communities and developers to work together to produce, preserve and provide a diverse range of quality housing by realigning the efforts of public and private stakeholders in the housing sector to meet housing needs at the local level.

Learn more and Read the Playbook to get strategies on how to speed up housing development in your community.

Housing is a complex crisis that requires comprehensive solutions. Planners provide data-driven insights and expertise that can help policymakers improve public policies and investments that create housing abundance, efficient infrastructure, and lasting economic strength.

Hear from local policymakers how planning has produced positive outcomes in their communities:

 

From parking minimums to building more housing near transit, planners — together with decision-makers — are finding innovative, locally-led ways to make housing more affordable, accessible, and available to residents.

Learn how planners and elected officials are working together to create solutions for housing in communities of all sizes across the nation:

Allowing for a Range of Multiunit Housing Types

Modular Momentum: Boulder’s New Approach to Housing (Planning Magazine)

Columbus 'Zones In' on More Housing Amid Population Boom (APA Blog)

New Ordinance Aims to Boost Sacramento’s Housing Supply (APA Blog)

Eliminating Owner-Occupied Restrictions for Missing Middle Housing (APA Blog)

Housing diversity encourages age-friendly, accessible communities (Planning magazine)

Going Beyond "Use" Zoning to Promote Housing Equity (APA Blog)

Spokane's Interim Housing Ordinance Allowed City to Do "Some Great Things" (Planning magazine)

Eagle, Colorado Goes to Bat for Affordable Housing Solutions (Planning magazine)

Reducing Parking Minimums

The Push For Parking Reform (APA Blog)

How Sacramento Won Major Housing Gains with Zoning Reform (Planning magazine)

A Business Case for Dropping Parking Minimums (Planning magazine)

Three Zoning Reform Success Stories that Reignited Downtown Development (Planning magazine)

Making Space for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)

What's at Stake: Zoning Reform with Arlova Vonhm, AICP (video)

New ADU Tools May Unlock Affordable Housing In Your Backyard (Planning magazine)

ADU Resources for Policymakers: From Model Legislation to Case Studies (Knowledgebase Collection)

Rural Communities Embrace ADUs to Boost Housing Supply (Planning magazine)

San Diego County Tackles Affordable Housing and Climate Change (podcast)

Repurposing Buildings as Homes

Adaptive Reuse Revives a Casket Factory as Affordable Housing (Planning magazine)

Unlock Suburban Housing Potential and Put Empty Offices to Work (APA Blog)

Transforming Empty Churches Into Affordable Housing Takes More Than a Leap of Faith (Planning magazine)

How Adaptive Reuse Can Help Solve the Housing Crisis (Planning magazine)

Yes, You Can Convert Vacant Retail to Housing (Planning magazine)

Linking Housing to Transportation

Rapid Growth Overwhelmed Austin. These Housing Reforms Made a Difference. (APA Blog)

Axios Local Events: How Zoning Reform Can Spur Redevelopment, Economic Growth, and a Demand for Housing (video)

 

Bold Reforms Lead to Strong Outcomes

Sacramento planners increase housing through major zoning overhaul

Sacramento, California, is at the forefront of zoning reform, tackling some of the biggest challenges in housing supply and affordability. Tom Pace, the city's director of community development, shares how the city has embraced policies to remove barriers to housing production, modernize outdated regulations, and promote sustainable growth through one of the country's boldest zoning overhauls yet.

 

Have a question or thought to share about planners' work with elected officials to increase the nation's housing supply? Email housing@planning.org