Powering Local Utility Guidance in Housing Act of 2025

The Powering Local Utility Guidance in Housing Act of 2025 (PLUG in Housing Act) helps affordable housing developers navigate utility approval processes during construction. It directs the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) to create a "housing utility readiness team" that provides three key services: (1) administrative assistance to coordinate utility inspections, (2) access to technical consultants to prevent design issues, and (3) coordination to integrate utility permitting data into government tracking systems. This directly affects developers of affordable housing projects, particularly in high-cost areas where utility delays have caused costly project pauses or redesigns. The bill aims to streamline the permitting process by reducing administrative hurdles with utility companies, without changing utility regulations themselves.