4 Legislative Wins for Planners and Housing Reform in the 118th Congress

The past two years have brought about significant changes across the country — but housing supply and zoning reform remain top-of-mind for planners, elected officials, and their communities.

Planning advocates came out in full force over the past two years during online Planners' Day on Capitol Hill, Congressional Fly-Ins, and at key moments when it mattered most. This year, advocates met with federal representatives 168 times and wrote to Congress 377 times. APA is intentionally finding opportunities to help elected leaders see the value of planners and their profession on the housing affordability issue and beyond. Thanks to APA members' advocacy, planners are heading into the 119th Congress well-positioned to advance federal policy ideas to produce a more diverse, attainable, and equitable housing supply.

APA Planning Advocates in the U.S. Senate during the 2024 Congressional Fly-In.

APA achieved bipartisan housing, zoning, and development wins

Here are four legislative wins planners — and APA — made possible in the 118th Congress:

1. USDA Section 504 Program Expansion

In January 2024, an agreement to extend and improve a key rural housing finance program run by the Department of Agriculture was passed through the Senate. The measure was introduced by Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), and he was joined by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in championing the idea. APA advocates were instrumental in building the bipartisan support that allowed this bill to move forward to an expected unanimous vote.

2. Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing

At the start of this year, a second year of funding for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) Program was secured in the FY24 spending bill with $100 million in grant money available. This is a $15 million increase from the $85 million available in year one, secured in 2023. This funding was made possible thanks to Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-DE), whose PRO Housing budget amendment was passed on the floor with bipartisan support for FY24. The PRO Housing Grant Program was included in the Fiscal Year 2025 Senate version of the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) spending bill, and APA continues to advocate for a third year of funding for this program.

Together with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), APA delivered planners and members of Congress critical information on the housing supply needs in communities and how PRO and other HUD programs are being used to unlock housing opportunities through zoning reform in localities and regions.

At the 2024 Congressional Fly-In, advocates heard from HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs in the Office of Community Planning and Development Kera Package. This fall, APA hosted a webinar with PRO Housing grant recipients and Marion McFadden, HUD principal deputy assistant secretary for the Office of Community and Planning Development, to further discuss how to apply for the second round of PRO Housing, the Legacy Challenge program, and answer the questions of our members as a way to expand education and conversation around these crucial HUD programs.

3. Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act

In 2024, APA assisted the offices of Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-DE) with the development and introduction of the Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act. This bill aims to make the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development a better policy partner for local communities. APA expects Congress to reintroduce this bill under Republican leadership next year.

This month, Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE01) and Rep. Blunt Rochester (D-DE) introduced the Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act, a bill based on a specific section of the Reducing Regulatory Barriers to Housing Act. This bill directs HUD to develop frameworks for best practices on zoning and land-use policies. The legislation also provides local and state governments with the necessary resources to confront barriers to housing development and construction and will be introduced once again at the start of the next session.

4. Yes in my backyard act

After its reintroduction this Congress, APA has worked hand-in-hand with Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA06), Rep. Flood (R-NE01), Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) to build momentum for the bipartisan Yes in my Backyard Act (YIMBY). This year the bill unanimously passed the House Committee on Financial Services.

APA leaders were also on the ground in late November for the launch of the House YIMBY Caucus, a group that aims to promote housing development across the country, increase housing supply to address the housing crisis and provide access to safe and affordable homes to all Americans.

Planning advocates made other noteworthy progress on additional pieces of legislation as APA assisted in introducing the Build More Housing Near Transit Act, the Housing Supply and Affordability Act, and the Safer Streets Act all of which gained tremendous bipartisan support in the 118th Congress.

Over the past two years, housing legislation has become increasingly bipartisan at the federal level. APA has leaned into the White House Housing Supply Action Plan and worked to coordinate engagement between federal offices and planners on commercial to residential-conversion issues. As we look ahead to the 119th Congress, APA continues to create and deepen meaningful, productive relationships with Congressional offices. In January, we expect to see renewed energy for and action on housing supply and zoning reform legislation by a Republican-led Congress.

Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook

Solutions for Local Housing Supply

In partnership with the National League of Cities, APA brought together local governments, community planners, builders, financial institutions, real estate professionals, and state and federal partners to develop and launch the Housing Supply Accelerator Playbook.

Download the Playbook

Top image: iStock/Getty Images Plus - Darcey Bailey