Housing & Insurance Chairman Flood Calls for Passage of Bipartisan Amendment to the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood, who serves as Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, released a statement following the announcement of amended text to the “21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.” The amendment, posted by House Leadership last night, includes several of Congressman Flood’s bills and housing priorities.
“The strong, bipartisan work reflected in this amended housing bill delivers on President Trump’s goal of making housing affordable again,” said Congressman Flood. “The commonsense, pro-growth measures included in the amended version of the '21st Century ROAD to Housing Act' not only prevent large institutional investors from undermining working families’ ability to own a home but also cut barriers so we can unleash our nation’s homebuilders. It’s time to pass this amended housing bill, which reflects meaningful bicameral input, so it can be signed by President Trump and deliver relief for families.”
In addition to serving as Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee, Congressman Flood is the Chairman of the Republican Main Street Caucus.
The amended text of the "21st Century ROAD to Housing Act” can be found here. Legislation Congressman Flood previously introduced that are included in the amended version of the housing bill are detailed below:
The HOME Reform Act
“America is in the midst of a housing crisis as families struggle to live the American dream due to the shortage of millions of homes,” said Congressman Flood. “The HOME program is a federal program that builds housing supply, but it has previously been weighed down by regulatory burdens that make it hard to build housing. The reforms in this legislation will result in more homebuilding across the country as we work to tackle our nation’s housing shortage. From Columbus, Nebraska to Columbus, Ohio and beyond, local communities will have an unprecedented opportunity to build affordable homes and directly address the housing crisis gripping our nation.”
The "HOME Reform Act" modernizes the HOME Investment Partnership Program by exempting projects from NEPA and Build America, Buy America requirements as well as establishing a “small project” exemption under Section 3 of the HUD Act of 1968. The bill raises income eligibility to 100% of area median income, extends the time communities have to commit funds, updates definitions of affordable single and multifamily housing, as well as allows funds to be used for infrastructure tied directly to new housing, such as sidewalks, sewers, and utility connections.
Read the initial press release on the "HOME Reform Act" here. The bill was co-introduced by Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).
The Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act
“America has been grappling with a housing crisis and cutting red tape is one of the key tools to helping home builders create more housing,” said Congressman Flood. “Manufactured homes have historically been built to a HUD code, and in order to make manufactured homes a cost-effective option for consumers we must ensure that HUD has primary authority over all manufactured housing standards.”
The "Streamlining Manufactured Housing Standards Act" clarifies that the Department of Housing and Urban Development is the primary regulator as it relates to all manufactured housing building standards.
Read the initial press release on the "Streamlining Manufactured Housing Starts Act" here. The bill was co-introduced by Housing & Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO).
Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act
“The Unlocking Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act is an important step towards increasing housing supply in America,” said Congressman Flood. “Environmental reviews can slow housing projects by months- or even years. Currently, those reviews are not properly tailored to the size and scale of housing projects. This legislation is a meaningful step towards fixing that problem.”
The "Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act" streamlines the environmental review process for a range of Department of Housing and Urban Development building activities.
Read the initial press release on the "Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act" here. The bill was co-introduced by Congressman Sam Liccardo (D-CA).