Bill > S2390

This bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to streamline and modernize environmental review processes for housing-related activities by reclassifying certain types of projects under more flexible environmental review categories. The bill defines an "infill project" as a development within a municipality on previously disturbed land (up to 5 acres) that repurposes vacant or underutilized space for residential or commercial use. The legislation creates three main tiers of housing activities with progressively less stringent environmental review requirements: (1) activities fully exempt from detailed environmental review, such as tenant-based rental assistance and supportive services; (2) activities subject to minimal environmental review, like rehabilitation of residential buildings or acquisition of existing structures; and (3) activities with slightly more comprehensive review, including new construction of 5-15 housing units or conversion of office buildings to residential spaces. The bill mandates that HUD submit annual reports for five years detailing the impact of these streamlined reviews, focusing on reductions in review times and administrative costs, particularly for affordable housing projects. The goal is to expedite housing development by reducing bureaucratic barriers while maintaining some environmental safeguards, ultimately aiming to increase housing supply and affordability.