Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act
Housing affordability is a national problem that demands the attention of federal policymakers. The YIMBY Act is an important step to help mitigate this crisis. This bipartisan bill passed the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 48-0 and the National Apartment Association (NAA), along with many other Housing groups, are urging Congress to take up and pass this bill under Suspension of the Rules.
The YIMBY Act would help to eliminate exclusionary land use policies and remove barriers that depress the production of housing in the United States. By requiring Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) recipients to report periodically on the extent to which they are removing discriminatory land use policies, and promoting inclusive and affordable housing, it will increase transparency and encourage more thoughtful and inclusive development practices.
Choice in Affordable Housing Act
The Housing Choice Voucher Program at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) helps more than 5 million low-income Americans afford safe and decent housing in the private retail market. Unfortunately, 10,000 housing providers left the program each year between 2010 and 2016. The Choice in Affordable Housing Act is sponsored by Senators Coons and Cramer and Representatives Chaves Deremer and Cleaver. The Choice Act would incentivize more landlords to participate in the program, expedite the inspection process for new landlords, reduce inspection delays and decrease other regulatory burdens, ultimately increasing housing options for low and moderate-income households.
The bill has been endorsed by the National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Low Income Housing Coalition, National Housing Law Project, Habitat for Humanity International, National Association of Realtors, National Association of Home Builders, RESULTS Education Fund, Enterprise Community Partners, Mobility Works, National Association of Residential Property Managers, National Leased Housing Association, Institute of Real Estate Management, National Rental Home Council, the Poverty & Race Research Action Council, the Bipartisan Policy Center, the National Multifamily Housing Council, the National Apartment Association and the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing.
Respect State Housing Laws Act
In April 2024, the Respect State Housing Laws Act passed out of the House Financial Services Committee by a vote of 29-21. This important bill makes clear that the temporary, federal notice-to-vacate requirement instituted under the CARES Act ended, returning eviction policies back to states and localities. NAA continues to urge Congressional leadership to bring the legislation to the House floor for a vote.