Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025
The Streamlining Rural Housing Act of 2025 would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to formalize interagency cooperation through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) within 180 days of enactment. The MOU would focus on coordinating environmental reviews for housing projects funded by both agencies, including evaluating NEPA categorical exclusions, designating a lead agency to streamline adoption of environmental documents (EISs and EAs) approved by the other agency, ensuring continued compliance with Part 58 environmental regulations, and exploring a joint physical inspection process. The bill also creates an advisory working group to provide input from a broad set of rural and housing stakeholders and directs a report to Congress within one year with recommendations to improve efficiency while protecting resident safety, avoiding higher long‑term costs for residents, and maintaining environmental standards. In short, the bill aims to speed up rural housing projects that involve both HUD and USDA funding by reducing duplicative reviews and inspections, while preserving important environmental and tenant protections.
Key Points
- 1Requires HUD and USDA to sign a memorandum of understanding within 180 days to evaluate NEPA categorical exclusions for housing projects funded by both agencies.
- 2Establishes a process to designate a lead agency and streamline the adoption of environmental impact statements (EIS) and environmental assessments (EA) approved by the other agency for joint-funded housing projects.
- 3Requires continued compliance with environmental regulations under Part 58 of 24 CFR, as in effect on January 1, 2025.
- 4Creates a study on the feasibility of a joint physical inspection process for housing projects funded by both HUD and USDA.
- 5Establishes an advisory working group within 180 days comprising diverse stakeholders (including residents, affordable housing nonprofits, builders, housing agencies, property managers, owners of multifamily housing, and housing contract administrators) to advise on implementation; and directs a Congress-bound report within one year with recommendations to improve efficiency without compromising safety, resident costs, or environmental standards.