Jaime Herrera Beutler Works to Remove Barriers for More Affordable Housing in Southwest Washington

Statement

Last night, U.S. Representatives Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Trey Hollingsworth (R-IN) and Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced a bipartisan bill, H.R. 4351, that encourages communities to prioritize measures that will increase housing supply and affordability.

Under the bill, local governments applying for federal housing development funds through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program would have to explain decisions not to adopt the recommended pro-affordability, anti-discriminatory housing policies. This act increases transparency in land use, zoning and housing decisions; sheds light on exclusionary policies; and ultimately encourages communities to eliminate barriers to much-needed housing.

"We are facing a national housing crisis that has hit Southwest Washington particularly hard -- a surging number of people are facing homelessness, and everywhere I go families talk about the lack of affordable housing options," Herrera Beutler said. "The cities and communities I represent are desperate to address homelessness and barriers to affordable housing, so I'm pleased to offer this solution that would provide more people with more affordable housing options. I'm particularly hopeful that our bill's approach of making recommendations versus putting onerous federal mandates on cities will allow them to decide how to make pro-housing reforms in the way that works best for our entire community."

The Senate companion bill, S. 1919, was introduced in June by Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Todd Young (R-IN).