Municipalities are increasingly under pressure from their constituents and the federal government to streamline residential development amid a national housing affordability crisis. A growing national trendAn increasing number of municipalities from coast to coast are testing out pilot programs that utilize AI to streamline the permitting and zoning approval process. Housing affordability ranks as a top political priorityThe Senate’s ROAD to Housing Act, which enjoys broad bipartisan support, aims to reduce regulatory barriers and streamline housing development. The federal government would accomplish this goal by allocating more Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to municipalities that have streamlined housing development. States are also pushing for measures to streamline residential development, as the cost of housing becomes a top issue for voters nationwide.