2025 Policy Priority
Federal support for zoning reform is key to increasing housing supply
Zoning Reforms for Housing Abundance
New research reports that the nation's housing deficit is nearly 4 million homes — and smaller regions and mid-sized communities are being hit the hardest. These communities need support at every level of government to enact the planning-led reforms needed to increase housing supply.
Locally-led zoning reform is essential to break down regulatory barriers that stand in the way of producing more housing.
From increasing workforce housing options to streamlining permitting review, planners are working to ensure housing reforms align with our communities' transportation, economic, and resilience goals.
To advance local efforts, Congress can — and must — play an essential role in supporting housing planning through fiscal and policy changes that increase housing abundance and strengthen local economies.
We urge Congress and the Trump Administration to align and advance critical community housing and development needs.
Through both fiscal and policy changes, the federal government can ensure that pro-housing legislation and tools make a local impact in communities big and small.
Opportunities for Fiscal Action
- Provide new funding for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program
- Fund and finance adaptive reuse housing projects, including "missing middle," multifamily, and mixed-use housing
- Modernize and expand the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program
- Renew Opportunity Zones with an improved housing focus
- Enhance alignment of housing with federal transportation and infrastructure programs and support for housing-supportive infrastructure
- Fund vital federal housing tools, such as Community Development Block Grants, HOME, Choice Neighborhoods, vouchers, rural housing, and homelessness assistance.
Opportunities for Policy Action
- Direct HUD to expand efforts to provide frameworks, models, and analysis for local zoning, building code, and land use reforms.
- Establish categorical exemptions from federal environmental reviews for targeted infill housing projects.
- Provide high-quality data to identify local and regional housing needs, improve understanding of zoning, and better measure homelessness.
- Increase the impact and effectiveness of rural housing programs
- Create new models for modular housing and remove outdated definitions that limit manufactured and modular housing
- Promote housing tools and models such as land banks, shared equity, and community land trusts
- Maintain and improve resiliency and adaptation tools and requirements
It Takes a Planner to Support Policymakers
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:
A National Partnership for Zoning Reform
APA has partnered with the National League of Cities to advance solutions for housing supply challenges through the Housing Supply Accelerator.
Bringing together local governments, planners, builders, financial institutions, housing policy associations, and state and federal partners, the partnership has developed a guide for policymakers and community planners working to boost diverse, attainable, and equitable housing supply in communities nationwide.
Zoning Reform Resources
APA's Equity in Zoning Policy Guide was designed to help local and regional planners and decision-makers dismantle barriers and create more diverse housing options in places where they are needed most.
APA's Housing Policy guide identifies policy solutions for planners and local, state, and federal elected officials that address dire housing challenges — including accessibility, affordability, and availability — plaguing rapid and slow-growth communities nationwide.
APA Endorses Bipartisan YIMBY Act
APA joins a pro-housing coalition in support of a federal bill that encourages communities to eliminate discriminatory land use policies, making it easier for planners to close housing gaps and identify a plan for advancing zoning reforms.
Advocacy in Action
Tell Congress to support zoning reform
Planners across the country are speaking out for federal support that will power local innovation — and you can, too!
Share APA's policy agenda today with your members of Congress
Your outreach will ensure that every member of Congress knows federal action on zoning reform is community planners' top priority.
Want to stay up to date on federal action?
Join APA's network of planning advocates, the Planners' Advocacy Network, to stay up to date on what is happening in Washington and the state capitols and help shape federal and state policy outcomes.