Shaheen Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Streamline Housing Regulations, Increase Supply of Affordable Housing in Rural Communities

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS), Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) in introducing bipartisan legislation to streamline rural housing regulations between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by requiring the two agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to align housing standards. The Streamlining Rural Housing Act would simplify the process to build housing, lowering the cost and shortening project timelines for developers.

“To address the shortage of quality, affordable housing in rural areas, federal regulations need to work for communities rather than against them,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m glad to join my colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation that would improve and streamline environmental reviews and housing unit inspections so that we can build more homes and lower costs where it’s needed most.”

“The Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH) applauds the efforts of Senators Moran, Ricketts, Shaheen, and Gallego in introducing this important legislation which will help streamline program requirements at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Development (RD) programs,” said Colleen Fisher, Executive Director of CARH. “Many times when housing developers and owners are operating a property here is a need to have multiple sources of funding so that the property can cash flow and rents are at levels that low-income residents can afford. When this occurs, the agencies require separate if not identical inspections, somewhat negating the purpose of having the multiple layers of funding, thus increasing regulatory costs. By requiring one inspection, operating costs will be reduced or redirected toward services on properties. The approach envisioned in the bill has been supported by several different Administrations, with the goal of reducing regulatory burdens and improving the delivery of affordable housing programs.”

Specifically, the Streamlining Rural Housing Act would:

• Require HUD and USDA to enter into a memorandum of understanding to align housing standards.
• Require the creation of an advisory group to consult with the agencies on the MOU’s implementation. This group would include rural affordable housing nonprofit organizations, state housing agencies, home builders, property management companies, multifamily property owners and housing contract administrators.
• Require HUD and USDA to report to the appropriate committees on recommendations for legislative, regulatory or administrative actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of combined funding housing projects.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

As a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) Subcommittee, Shaheen has continually worked to ensure rural communities have the federal funding needed to tackle the housing affordability crisis. In the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Ag-FDA Appropriations bill, Shaheen fought to fully fund the Rental Assistance program so that participating families can remain housed, provides funding to preserve the existing affordable housing portfolio and makes $1 billion in financing available for very low-income homebuyers, many of whom are first-time homeowners. In the FY24 Ag-FDA bill, Shaheen two Shaheen-led provisions were signed into law to help to preserve existing rural housing, build new housing in rural areas and protect low-income renters in rural areas from losing their homes.

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