HUD News

Washington- The Department of Housing and Urban Development released a new publication that brings to light the effects of restrictive land use policies on affordability, location, and housing supply and highlights the reforms using which state and local governments can increase the housing supply. The New Policy and Practice Publication discusses innovative solutions to address housing and community development challenges.

HUD is also announcing an award of $350,000 to the National Zoning Atlas of Cornell’s University via PD&Rs Research Partnerships Program along with the new brief on land use and zoning reforms. The objective of this grant is to bridge the data gaps that hinder our comprehension of the relationship between zoning and segregation, affordability, and other relevant domains. With the help of these research funds, the researchers can study the impacts of zoning in the largest cities by giving their contribution to the first-ever geospatial repository of zoning conditions.

The past efforts by the National Zoning Atlas and its local partners stated how excessive regulations dampen housing production and increase the housing shortage.

Solomon Greene, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy Development and Research said, “ Through the release of Policy & Practice and the partnership with Cornell University, HUD is highlighting promising reforms that can create more housing abundance while also taking steps to improve data and understanding around the impacts of zoning”.

The Housing Supply Action Plan outlined by the Administration highlights the impact of land use and zoning laws in diminishing housing development and escalating prices. HUD provides technical assistance to local governments and makes sure that housing needs are included in the larger infrastructure investment plans and identifies and implements regulatory reforms. Congress gave $85 Million to HUD in 2023 to provide grants to communities to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production.