HUD seeks to dismantle housing barriers

HUD has increased its resources for communities to break down barriers to affordable housing. Tax policies, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, and growth limits can each negatively impact a community’s ability to increase the supply of affordable housing. HUD has a bank of four webinars for affordable housing stakeholders to help identify and reduce or remove barriers. HUD has also issued a preview of an $85 million notice of funding opportunity for municipalities and other levels of government to proactively work to break down barriers to affordable housing. The grants, through a new Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program funded in the fiscal year 2023 HUD appropriations bill, can also be used to address barriers such as a lack of community amenities and deteriorating infrastructure.