Rushmore State News

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), both members of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, have introduced two bipartisan bills aimed at addressing the national housing shortage and improving access to affordable homeownership. The proposed Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act and the Better Use of Intergovernmental & Local Development (BUILD) Housing Act seek to streamline federal environmental review processes related to housing projects.

According to Senator Rounds, excessive paperwork requirements from Washington are causing delays in housing development without meaningful environmental benefits. “Too often, Washington demands paperwork for the sake of paperwork. Many Department of Housing & Urban Development-funded activities have no real environmental impact, yet communities are forced to waste time and taxpayer dollars proving it,” said Rounds. “I have heard consistently from housing professionals in South Dakota that this kind of red tape delays housing and drives up costs. That’s why Senator Kim and I introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to cut through the bureaucracy and help communities focus on building homes instead of filling out forms. I want everyone in America to be able to achieve the American dream of owning a home, and this bill gets us one step closer by creating more housing and lowering costs.”

Senator Kim emphasized the widespread nature of the issue: "We have a housing crisis in this country and it’s holding too many back from achieving the American dream,” said Kim. “I see this all the time in my home state. Families who just want the security of a roof over their head that’s theirs; something they can pass down to the next generation. These bills won’t solve all the problems, but they’ll help make sure we’re building more and faster to increase opportunities and lower costs. These aren’t just Democratic or Republican problems and they’ll require both parties working together. It’s why I’m proud to work with Senator Rounds to collaborate on these solutions and look forward to working to get them passed in committee and onto the Senate Floor.”

The legislative proposals aim to speed up rehabilitation efforts for existing buildings as well as new residential construction by updating regulations—especially where development is expensive—and making federal reviews more efficient for certain Department of Housing & Urban Development projects.

Nationwide data shows there is a shortfall exceeding 7 million affordable homes for low-income families; over 70% of these households spend more than half their income on rent.

In South Dakota—ranked as one of America's most affordable states—more than 18% of renters still pay over half their income toward rent, indicating ongoing challenges linked partly to regulatory barriers.

The Unlocking Housing Supply Through Streamlined and Modernized Reviews Act would update National Environmental Policy Act procedures for HUD-funded projects by classifying some activities under simpler review frameworks, expediting repairs for homeowners, removing obstacles for converting vacant spaces or revitalizing properties, thereby supporting faster community development.

Organizations such as Bipartisan Policy Center Action, Mortgage Bankers Association, Enterprise Community Partners, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), National Neighborworks Association, National Council of State Housing Agencies, Housing Assistance Council, American Planning Association, National Affordable Housing Management Association, National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, Up for Growth Initiative Inclusive Abundance Initiative Habitat for Humanity International have endorsed this measure.

Companion legislation will be introduced in the House by Representatives Mike Flood (R-Neb.)—Chairman of the Housing & Insurance Subcommittee—and Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.).

The BUILD Housing Act proposes increasing cooperation between HUD agencies at various government levels by delegating some reviews directly to states or localities when possible while providing flexibility through special project designations.

This act has also received support from organizations including Enterprise Community Partners LISC National Neighborworks Association Mortgage Bankers Association National Council State Housing Agencies Bipartisan Policy Center Action American Planning Association National Affordable Housing Management Association National Association Redevelopment Officials Up For Growth Inclusive Abundance Initiative.