USDA, HUD sign agreement to streamline affordable housing process

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Tuesday, officials say will make the homeownership process easier.

“Facing a lot of America today is the lack of affordable housing,” said USDA Sec. Brooke Rollins.

HUD and the USDA are teaming up to streamline standards related to housing, including environmental review, impact, regulations and physical inspections.

“We want to deregulate, make it easier for builders to build and for buyers to buy, and we want to make supply go up and costs go down, so more Americans, particularly in the rural areas of our country, can afford to buy a home,” explained HUD Sec. Scott Turner.

The partnership stems from the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which Congress passed at the end of June. Despite President Trump’s refusal to sign the bill, it eventually became law July 11.

“This MOU signifies and signals to the American people that USDA and HUD are indeed in partnership to make these processes easier, as we have been doing from day one,” Turner added.

Both agencies say the agreement also streamlines the housing approval process by cutting red tape and eliminating unnecessary paperwork to help communities build more homes, faster.

“The unprecedented level at which we’re all working together is a game changer for the American people,” Rollins said.

Average home prices are currently at an all-time high. The national median price for a single-family home is more than $434,000, according to the National Association of Realtors.