Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Incentivize More Housing Supply Near Transit Routes

By Libby O’Neill, NLIHC Senior Policy Analyst 

Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA), Blake Moore (R-UT), and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the “Build More Housing Near Transit Act” (S. 2363/H.R. 4576) on July 21. If passed, the bill would incentivize the development of more housing, including affordable housing, near transit stops by directing the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide a scoring benefit to transit projects that demonstrate pro-housing policies along the project route. Pro-housing policies include state or local actions that reduce or eliminate parking minimums, establish by-right approval for multifamily housing, reduce or eliminate minimum lots sizes, and encourage the development or preservation of housing units. NLIHC has endorsed the bill. 

NLIHC joined a sign-on letter led by Up For Growth in support of the bill, highlighting the nation’s affordability and supply crisis and how the federal government can incentivize solutions.  

While pro-housing policies such as those incentivized in this bill can help increase supply, such reforms on their own will not be sufficient to address the housing needs of the lowest-income renters. NLIHC will continue to push Congress to provide needed federal investments to develop and operate housing for those with the greatest needs. 

Read Representative Peters’ press release here.  

Read the bill text here.  

Read the sign-on letter here.