FY26 Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing)

The Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing program is administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development as part of its broader mission to expand access to affordable housing and strengthen communities across the United States. This program is authorized through federal appropriations and implemented using the Community Development Block Grant framework, which prioritizes benefits to low- and moderate-income households. The initiative reflects HUD’s response to nationwide housing shortages, rising costs, and structural barriers that limit the development and preservation of affordable housing stock. It builds on prior funding rounds that supported a wide range of jurisdictions in addressing systemic housing challenges. The purpose of the program is to provide competitive funding to jurisdictions that have demonstrated measurable progress in removing regulatory, administrative, and structural barriers to housing development. These barriers may include restrictive zoning laws, inefficient land use policies, infrastructure limitations, and procedural delays that increase the cost and complexity of housing production. By rewarding communities that have already taken steps toward reform, the program aims to accelerate the expansion of affordable housing supply and reduce long-term housing costs. Funding is intended to support a range of eligible activities aligned with increasing housing supply and improving affordability. These activities may include planning initiatives, infrastructure improvements, policy development, and implementation of housing production or preservation strategies. The program emphasizes investments that lead to tangible outcomes such as increased housing units, reduced development timelines, and expanded access to land suitable for housing development. Special emphasis is placed on Opportunity Zones and rural communities where housing shortages are particularly acute. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and multijurisdictional entities. The program encourages collaboration among overlapping jurisdictions to submit joint applications rather than competing proposals. Individuals and foreign entities are explicitly excluded. Applicants must demonstrate prior efforts to improve zoning practices or land use policies and must show a commitment to continuing those efforts to achieve measurable housing outcomes. The application process is expected to be conducted electronically through standard federal submission systems. Applicants will be required to submit detailed proposals outlining their progress to date, planned activities, expected outcomes, and alignment with program priorities. Evaluation criteria include demonstrated progress in removing housing barriers, the severity of local housing needs—particularly for households earning below area median income—and commitments to expanding homeownership opportunities within the project timeline. The timeline for this opportunity is forecasted, with an estimated application opening in early June and a submission deadline at the end of July. Awards are expected to be announced in November, with project activities beginning shortly thereafter in December. The program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, making it more accessible to eligible jurisdictions. HUD provides a program contact for inquiries and encourages applicants to monitor official channels for updates, guidance, and supplemental materials throughout the application period.

Focus on demonstrating measurable progress in zoning reform and housing policy changes; clearly quantify housing need and expected unit production; align proposal with affordability outcomes for low- and moderate-income households