A federal bill intended to increase transparency in land use and zoning decisions as well as encourage localities to eliminate barriers to housing has advanced out of a House of Representative committee.
[Updated March 2] The House Financial Services Committee passed the Yes in My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (H.R. 4351) late last week, according to a press release from Republicans on the Financial Services Committee.
Rep. Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) and Rep. Denny Heck (D-WA) introduced the YIMBY Act in the House in September 2019, with support from organizations like the American Planning Association and Smart Growth America. U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-IN) introduced the companion bill in the Senate in June 2019.
The YIMBY Act, "requires Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients to report on policies to remove barriers that impact access to housing for Hoosiers and all Americans." The press release provides additional explanation for the intended effect of the YIMBY Act as follows:
Specifically, the YIMBY Act requires reporting under the existing Consolidated Plan on the implementation of certain land use policies, including enacting high-density single-family and multi-family zoning and allowing manufactured homes in areas zoned primarily for single-family residential homes, among others, to promote housing production and increase affordability.
The YIMBY Action Infill podcast includes an episode called "Up For Federal Action" that provides more information on the bill, providing an opportunity for Rep. Heck to join podcast host Laura Foote to discuss the bill.
Read the full story: Press Releases Yes In My Backyard Act Reported Out of Financial Services Committee
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