Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1) The United States has a shortage of millions of homes, contributing to a record number of cost-burdened households across rural, urban, and suburban communities. (2) The housing shortage is constraining the economy and costing Americans about $2 trillion per year in lost opportunities and lower productivity. (3) Zoning and land use policy reforms are one part of the solution to addressing the rising cost of housing, alongside policies that invest in fair and affordable housing throughout the country. (4) The Department of Housing and Urban Development should maintain adequate staffing levels to implement this legislation, assist communities in overcoming zoning and land use challenges unduly constraining housing, and support quality and affordable housing programs serving the most vulnerable of our nation.