It’s pretty weak. It could do quite a bit, in theory, but I’m skeptical that the very regions that would most benefit from the new opportunities and funding, would bend over backwards to find ways to refuse the money and loosened zoning laws etc that this bill provides a “framework” for. It’s all pretty weak and feels like a messaging bill to me. I really hope I’m wrong, I’m trying to buy/build a house myself so I’d love it if these things end up working in parts of the country where it’s almost impossible to get a house without being a millionaire.

Here’s the part of the article that talks about exactly what the bill would do:

To increase the supply of housing, the bill would streamline environmental reviews and speed up the construction process.

It would offer funding to local governments that build more housing, including Community Development Block Grant money to places exceeding the median rate of homebuilding. It would also provide money for communities to turn abandoned infrastructure into housing, and offers a framework for communities that want to reform outdated zoning regulations, which often limit larger housing developments.

The legislation would allow banks to invest more in affordable housing and raise limits on the number of public housing units that can receive private financing through Section 8 funding to rehabilitate properties. And it would remove outdated requirements and expand federal financing to make manufactured homes more affordable.