U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) celebrated the Senate passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This is a landmark bill to make housing more affordable for Nebraskans. The legislation includes several Ricketts-led bills to build more homes, streamline federal bureaucratic processes and improve housing supply in rural communities.
“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is an important step to make housing more affordable for Nebraskans,” said Ricketts. “Cutting through bureaucratic red tape and improving efficiency will increase housing stock. More homes will make housing more affordable. I’m glad to see this historic legislation pass in the Senate. I will continue to work to drive down the cost of living for Nebraskans.”
Ricketts-led bills included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
Streamlining Rural Housing Act
Introduced with Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).
Eliminates red tape where U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) have overlapping regulations and permitting.
Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act
Rep. Mike Flood (R-NE-1) is an original cosponsor in the House.
Streamlines the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for projects on “infill sites” that already have necessary infrastructure for housing development.
Improving Housing Access Act
Seeks opportunities to remove barriers and improve the quality of housing for seniors and to increase housing accessibility for Americans with disabilities.
Housing for America’s Middle-Class Act
Identifies ways to include middle-income earners in “workforce housing” standards.
Rural Depositories Revitalization Study Act
Identifes Federal statutes or regulations of the Federal banking agencies that limit the establishment of de novo depository institutions in rural areas and create a report to Congress with their findings no later than a year after enactment