Committee considers letter urging Congress to exempt affordable housing from BABA rules

The Vermont House General & Housing Committee on Feb. 6 discussed a draft letter asking the state’s congressional delegation to restore a narrowly targeted exemption for HUD‑funded affordable housing from the Build America Buy America (BABA) requirements in the package commonly called the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644).

A committee member read the draft aloud. The letter says, in part, "We are increasingly concerned about the impact of the Build America Buy America Act on affordable housing development," and urges restoring a targeted exemption for HUD‑funded affordable housing to avoid unintended barriers that slow production in rural states.

Members who have heard testimony from housing developers said the requirement to source certain construction materials domestically can increase costs and delay projects; supporters argued a narrowly tailored exemption would preserve BABA’s intent while enabling practical deployment of federal housing funds. Some members said they had not had enough testimony specifically on BABA to feel fully informed but nonetheless were willing to sign. Others asked whether signing would make a practical difference; the group concluded it would still be appropriate to send the letter as a statement of concern and to pursue signatures from those present and individually from absent members.

The committee did not vote formally on the letter; the chair asked staff to contact absent members and to collect responses by Tuesday so the list of signatories can be finalized.