Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, who represents Pennsylvania’s 1st District in the U.S. Congress, has introduced new bipartisan legislation aimed at making housing more affordable both in Pennsylvania and across the country. The Accelerating Home Building Act was announced with support from Representatives Janelle Bynum (OR-05), Bryan Steil (WI-01), and Chris Pappas (NH-01). Companion legislation has also been introduced in the Senate by Senators Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio).
The bill seeks to address a longstanding issue in Pennsylvania, where home construction rates have lagged behind national averages, contributing to higher prices and reduced access to homeownership. In Bucks and Montgomery counties, local builders and advocates have highlighted the need for more efficient processes to help families find attainable homes.
The proposed legislation is designed to promote a practice known as pattern zoning. This approach involves collaboration between architects and local governments on pre-approved design books that can streamline housing approvals. The bill would establish a federal grant program administered by HUD to help communities develop these pattern books, with an emphasis on missing middle and infill construction. There are provisions for rural communities as well as priority given to areas working to reduce barriers to development.
Fitzpatrick stated, “Housing is a real and growing concern in our community. Families are being stretched thin, young people are struggling to put down roots, and seniors are being priced out of the neighborhoods they’ve long called home. This bill clears a path for local governments to get homes built faster, more affordably, and in ways that reflect the needs of the communities they serve. It’s a bipartisan solution that puts more homes directly in our community, supports smart growth across the country, and keeps opportunity within reach for the next generation.”
Bynum added: “The dream of homeownership is getting further out of reach for too many Oregonians. I’m an engineer by training, which means I know we can innovate our way out of the biggest problems – including the housing crisis. I’m proud to be introducing a bill that invests in creative solutions that cut through red tape and speed up processes so more families can afford a home.”
Steil commented: “Housing prices remain too high in Wisconsin and across the nation. It’s critical that we take steps to streamline housing construction, lower costs, and support working families. The Accelerating Home Building Act supports innovative, cost-effective solutions to increase housing supply and help more Wisconsin families.”
Pappas said: “It’s critical that all levels of government work together and listen to the needs of local communities to tackle the housing crisis that is hurting families, small businesses, and our economy. That’s why I’m joining Representatives Bynum, Steil, and Fitzpatrick in introducing this bipartisan legislation that would expand tools and resources for local governments, empowering them to cut red tape and ease the process of building more housing. I’ll continue supporting commonsense action to grow our affordable housing supply.”
The measure has received endorsements from several organizations including the American Planning Association; Congress for the New Urbanism; Up for Growth Action; National Apartment Association; Smart Growth America; Main Street America; and National Association of REALTORS.
Shannon McGahn from NAR stated: “NAR is grateful that Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and Chris Pappas (D-NH) introduced the bipartisan Accelerating Home Building Act to help address the nation’s housing affordability crisis through streamlined construction approval processes.” She continued: “NAR recognizes that reducing regulatory barriers and streamlining approval processes are essential steps toward addressing the housing shortage affecting communities across the country. We support this legislation as part of comprehensive efforts to increase housing supply and improve affordability.”
Brian Fitzpatrick was born in Philadelphia in 1973 and currently lives in Levittown at age 49. He graduated from La Salle University with a bachelor’s degree before earning his law degree from Pennsylvania State University.
