Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 4351. This bipartisan legislation would require localities to analyze the artificial barriers that local zoning requirements create that hinder the production of affordable housing. Republicans agree with our friends across the aisle that the cost of local zoning rules and regulations at all levels of government often contribute to the high cost of housing. In fact, according to the National Association of Home Builders and the National Multifamily Housing Council, up to 30 percent of the cost of building each unit of housing can be attributed to these barriers. The impact of local zoning and regulatory barriers is particularly apparent in high-cost areas, particularly on the East and West Coasts of this land, where zoning and regulatory costs can be upward of 50 percent of a total project's cost before it even breaks ground. Mr. Daryl Carter, founder, chairman, and CEO of Avanath Capital Management, outlined some of these zoning barriers on behalf of the National Multifamily Housing Council when he testified before the Financial Services Committee in April 2019. Examples include onerous and extended entitlement requirements, excessive impact and linkage fees, business license taxes, assessment and inspection fees, outdated minimum parking requirements, and lengthy environmental site assessments.…”