U.S. House Passes Vindman-Led Bill to Increase Housing Supply & Lower Costs

Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today advanced bipartisan legislation led by Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) to cut red tape, lower housing costs, and increase the supply of homes in rural communities across the country.

"I'm proud that the U.S. House has passed my bipartisan bill to finally help more Americans afford a place to live," said Vindman. "Across the country, too many families are being shut out of homeownership by rising costs, limited supply, and unnecessary delays. By cutting red tape and speeding up responsible development, this bill lowers costs, expands housing options, and helps keep the door to homeownership open."

BACKGROUND

The Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act first passed the U.S. House as part of the original Housing for the 21st Century package. Today, it passes again as part of the amended version of the package. Click here for bill text.

The Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act streamlines environmental reviews for housing built on previously developed land, commonly referred to as "infill sites". Rising construction costs and unnecessary federal delays are making it harder for families to afford a home. In many cases, housing projects on land with existing infrastructure face duplicative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews that add significant costs and slow construction without providing meaningful benefit.

By reducing unnecessary delays and costs, the bill expands housing supply and supports homeownership, while preserving all substantive environmental protections, including those that detect contaminants, toxins, or hazards. The legislation applies only to land already served by existing infrastructure and explicitly excludes farmland, forests, and open space.

Congressman Vindman has long worked to boost housing supply across the United States. In December, he introduced the bipartisan Main Street Home Builders Act, legislation that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a pilot program supporting the construction or management of build-to-rent multifamily housing.

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