Washington, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) introduced a bipartisan bill to cut red tape, lower housing costs, and increase the supply of homes in rural communities across the country.
The Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act streamlines environmental reviews for housing built on previously developed infill sites. Rising construction costs and unnecessary federal delays are making it harder for families to afford a home. In many cases, housing projects on already developed land face duplicative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews that add significant costs and slow construction without providing meaningful benefit.
“I’ve heard from Virginians across our communities who want to buy a home but are being priced out by rising costs and limited supply,” said Vindman. “This bipartisan legislation cuts red tape, lowers housing costs, and helps more families put down roots and achieve homeownership.”
By reducing unnecessary delays and costs, the bill expands housing supply and supports homeownership, while preserving all substantive environmental protections, including those that detect contaminants, toxins, or hazards. The legislation applies only to land already served by existing infrastructure and explicitly excludes farmland, forests, and open space.
Vindman leads the bill in the U.S. House alongside U.S. Representatives Vicente Gonzalez (D-Texas-34), Troy Downing (R-Mont.-02), and Mike Flood (R-Neb.-01).
Click here for bill text.
BACKGROUND
Congressman Vindman has long worked to boost housing supply across the United States. In December, he introduced the bipartisan Main Street Home Builders Act, legislation that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a pilot program supporting the construction or management of build-to-rent multifamily housing.
###