Nebraska Panhandle News

U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts, representing Nebraska, has introduced the Streamlining Rural Housing Act alongside Senators Jerry Moran of Kansas, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, and Ruben Gallego of Arizona. The proposed legislation aims to make rural housing development more efficient by directing the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to create a memorandum of understanding for joint environmental review and inspection processes.

Senator Ricketts highlighted the challenges posed by current regulations, stating, “Duplicative red tape and burdensome regulations create additional costs and deter much-needed investments in rural affordable housing.” He emphasized that the bill is intended to enhance efficiency and eliminate conflicting requirements that delay approvals.

Senator Moran pointed out the increasing demand for rural housing in Kansas, saying, “Streamlining rural housing regulations between HUD and USDA will simplify the regulatory process for developers.” Senator Shaheen echoed these sentiments by advocating for federal regulations that work for communities rather than against them.

Senator Gallego addressed the broader issue of an affordable housing crisis in America: “We need to build more housing and build it fast to bring down costs.” He believes this bipartisan bill will help accelerate construction by reducing bureaucratic hurdles.

Colleen Fisher from the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing expressed support for the legislation: “By requiring one inspection, operating costs will be reduced or redirected toward services on properties.”

The background provided with the announcement outlines how separate processes required by HUD and USDA can lead to increased costs and project delays. Memoranda of Understanding are seen as a solution to streamline compliance requirements across different agencies.