Appropriations Season Advances Key Water and Housing Legislation in Washington

Housing

At a pivotal stage in the legislative calendar, American Supply Association engaged with Capitol Hill lawmakers on key industry priorities while closely monitoring policy developments.

A major highlight was the advancement of the long-anticipated Farm Bill by the House Agriculture Committee, which includes provisions from the Healthy H2O Act, a measure strongly supported by ASA. The legislation enables rural households, particularly those dependent on well water, to conduct water testing and access grants for corrective solutions, including certified point-of-use filtration systems. The bill is now set to proceed to the House floor for a vote.

In parallel, the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644) has passed the House and is progressing swiftly through the Senate. The bill seeks to boost housing supply through zoning reforms that allow higher-density development, accessory dwelling units, and reduced parking requirements. It also introduces grants for preapproved housing designs to accelerate construction, especially in rural areas, streamlines environmental reviews, and reduces regulatory barriers to support transit-oriented development. Additionally, the legislation expands affordable housing financing options, enhances borrower protections, and mandates improved coordination among federal agencies such as HUD, USDA, and the VA for data sharing, oversight, and program evaluation.

Source: American Supply Association