Bipartisan Bill Aims to Speed Housing Construction Through Pre-Approved Building Designs

U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act (S. 2361) to help address the nation's housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes.

The legislation would establish a pilot grant program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund the creation of pattern books—collections of pre-reviewed building designs that allow developers to secure permits and break ground more quickly. The program focuses on missing middle and infill construction, with set-asides for rural communities and priority for high-opportunity areas.

Complex land-use regulations and lengthy permitting processes have contributed to an estimated shortage of 4.7 million homes nationwide. These barriers drive up housing costs and leave growing numbers of families cost-burdened by their housing expenses.

The National Association of REALTORS® supports this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability. NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country.