New Dem Leaders Push for Passage of YIMBY Act to Build More Homes, Lower Costs
The Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act was introduced by New Dem Vice Chair for Policy Derek Kilmer (WA-06), and New Dems have supported the bill since its introduction in the 116th Congress
Today, New Democrat Coalition Vice Chair for Policy Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and NDC Affordable Housing Task Force Chair Norma J. Torres (CA-35) issued statements urging the passage of the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (H.R.3507) ahead of a vote on the House floor this week.
The YIMBY Act, a bipartisan bill introduced and championed by Vice Chair Kilmer in the 116th, 117th and 118th Congresses, would remove discriminatory zoning policies and burdensome regulations blocking housing and community development. The bill has been endorsed by the New Democrat Coalition and was a crucial part of the New Dems’ Housing Action Plan earlier this year.
“Our nation had challenges with housing before the pandemic – and those challenges have only grown since then. We need more workforce housing, more senior housing, more homeless housing, and more affordable housing. We need more housing units, period,” said Vice Chair Kilmer. “That’s why I hope that the House will pass this bipartisan legislation to help communities across the country reduce barriers to construction and build more homes that folks can afford.”
“We need to build more homes in America, plain and simple, and the YIMBY Act is one of the best tools Congress can utilize before the end of the 118th Congress to help eliminate the barriers that drive the housing affordability crisis,” said Affordable Housing Task Force Chair Torres. “New Dems are grateful to Vice Chair Kilmer for his tireless efforts and leadership on this issue, which influenced our Task Force’s Housing Action Plan and inspired our work throughout this Congress. We urge our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill to help deliver more affordable homes for the American people.”
Background on the NDC Housing Action Plan
In March 2024, the Affordable Housing Task Force released its Housing Action Plan, which includes more than 20 policy recommendations that would make improvements to five key factors in affordable housing: the housing supply, permitting and zoning laws, federal financial incentives, the construction workforce, and data collection and transparency.
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