The Housing Opportunities and Preservation Enhancement Act of 2026 provides specific tax incentives to encourage the rehabilitation and long-term preservation of low-income rental housing. It defines "qualified property" as buildings that have been in service for over 15 years, are owned by specific non-profit or government entities, and maintain restrictions ensuring at least 70% of units are occupied by low-income tenants. To qualify, these buildings must undergo significant rehabilitation spending within a 24-month period, a fact that must be certified by an independent accountant. The bill grants these properties exemptions from various tax rules, including passive activity limitations and profit motive requirements, while also allowing for accelerated depreciation over 15 years. Additionally, it clarifies how gains are calculated upon sale and ensures that certain capital grants used for construction do not reduce the property's tax basis.
The Freedom to Build Act creates a voluntary designation for local governments that adopt specific reforms to reduce barriers to housing construction. To qualify, a locality must either implement at least three reforms in each of three categories - such as allowing modern building methods, setting strict permit timelines, and eliminating rent control - or demonstrate sustained growth in its housing supply relative to local affordability. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will maintain a public list of these designated areas and review the required reforms every five years. Localities that lose their designation due to reversing reforms or failing supply targets receive a 180-day grace period to correct the issue before revocation. Additionally, the bill directs the Department to prioritize these designated communities when awarding competitive federal grants for housing and community development projects.
The Grad Student Affordable Housing Act of 2026 directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a program offering rental assistance vouchers to graduate students. To qualify, students must be enrolled in graduate programs and meet specific income limits, which are set at $40,000 for dependents or independent individuals and $80,000 for families, with provisions for cost-of-living adjustments. Selected students receive vouchers that cover 80 percent of the fair market rental cost for their chosen housing. The bill requires students to apply through the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development within one year of the law's enactment.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act to change the deadline for senior citizens to apply for property tax and rent rebates. Under the new rules, eligible individuals must file their claims by December 31 of the year following the tax year, replacing the previous June 30 cutoff. The legislation also removes the requirement that late-filed claims be accepted only if funds are available, allowing the state to process applications submitted after the deadline. These changes directly affect elderly Pennsylvanians seeking financial assistance and streamline the administrative process for the state department handling these claims.
