By Christian Britschgi | Reason
On Thursday, a group of Republican senators led by Sen. Tim Scott (R–S.C.) introduced the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act, which proposes a grab bag of reforms to federal housing programs.
Unlike the slew of federal YIMBY (Yes in my backyard) bills that have been introduced in recent years, Scott’s bill doesn’t try to poke, prod, or bribe local and state governments into liberalizing their zoning codes. “Housing policy is inherently local, and federal legislators should encourage local solutions to local problems,” reads the press release on the bill.
Nevertheless, the bill does include at least one idea to increase housing supply.
That includes a repeal of the federal regulation requiring that manufactured housing sit on a permanent steel chassis.
Residential building codes for traditional, site-built housing are set by state and local governments. Manufactured housing, which is built off-site and shipped to its destination, is regulated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
