Creating a Task Force on Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing

It has been well established by study after study, as well as by practical application, that regulatory barriers can increase housing costs anywhere from 10 to 35 percent and, in many cases, can even prevent its construction.

A regulatory barrier to affordable housing is defined as a public or regulatory requirement, payment, or process that significantly impedes the development or availability of affordable housing without providing a commensurate health and/or safety benefit.

In response to this growing problem, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) created the America’s Affordable Communities Initiative (AACI) in June 2003 to help state and local governments address regulatory reform to increase the availability of affordable housing for America’s workforce.

The AACI seeks to help state and local governments identify regulatory barriers to affordable housing. It also assists community and interest groups and the general public in understanding that well-designed, attractive, affordable housing can be an economic and social asset to a community.

Full Report: http://www.huduser.org/rbc/nca/doc/HUDsGuideToCreatingTaskForce.pdf