Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1), joined by Representatives Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Bryan Steil (WI-01), and Chris Pappas (NH-01), introduced the Accelerating Home Building Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation to make housing more affordable in Pennsylvania and across the country. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).
For years, Pennsylvania has trailed the nation in new home construction, pushing prices higher and putting homeownership further out of reach. In Bucks and Montgomery counties, home builders, community stakeholders, and advocates have been clear: without more efficient pathways to advance responsible projects, families will continue struggling to find attainable homes.
Across the country, communities are beginning to adopt a modernized approach known as pattern zoning, where architects and local governments collaborate on pattern books of pre-approved, standardized designs. The Accelerating Home Building Act builds on that by establishing a federal grant program to support communities in developing these pattern books—streamlining approvals, aligning design and planning, and making it easier to bring well-designed homes to market.
“Housing is a real and growing concern in our community. Families are being stretched thin, young people are struggling to put down roots, and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve long called home. This bill clears a path for local governments to get homes built faster, more affordably, and in ways that reflect the needs of the communities they serve. It’s a bipartisan solution that puts more homes directly in our community, supports smart growth across the country, and keeps opportunity within reach for the next generation,” said Fitzpatrick.
“The dream of homeownership is getting further out of reach for too many Oregonians,” said Bynum. “I’m an engineer by training, which means I know we can innovate our way out of the biggest problems – including the housing crisis. I’m proud to be introducing a bill that invests in creative solutions that cut through red tape and speed up processes so more families can afford a home.”
“Housing prices remain too high in Wisconsin and across the nation. It’s critical that we take steps to streamline housing construction, lower costs, and support working families,” said Steil. “The Accelerating Home Building Act supports innovative, cost-effective solutions to increase housing supply and help more Wisconsin families."
“It’s critical that all levels of government work together and listen to the needs of local communities to tackle the housing crisis that is hurting families, small businesses, and our economy. That’s why I’m joining Representatives Bynum, Steil, and Fitzpatrick in introducing this bipartisan legislation that would expand tools and resources for local governments, empowering them to cut red tape and ease the process of building more housing,” said Pappas. “I’ll continue supporting commonsense action to grow our affordable housing supply.”
Specifically, this legislation would:
- Establish a pilot HUD-administered grant program to fund the creation of pattern books with a focus on missing middle and infill construction; and
- Provide set-asides for rural communities and prioritize high-opportunity areas and localities working to reduce barriers to housing development.
This legislation is endorsed by the American Planning Association, Congress for the New Urbanism, Up for Growth Action, National Apartment Association, Smart Growth America, Main Street America, and the National Association of REALTORS.
“NAR is grateful that Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Chris Pappas (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Chief Advocacy Officer and Executive Vice President. “NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country. We support this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability.”
You can view a one-pager on the legislation here and the full text of the bill here.
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