Housing across the country

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 6, 2026

S 5285: Visitable Inclusive Tax credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act

The VITAL Act increases federal low-income housing tax credit allocations to states starting in 2026, with amounts adjusted annually for inflation to expand the supply of affordable and disability-accessible housing. The bill provides a 50% boost to the tax credit value for new buildings where at least half of the units are designed to meet accessibility standards for people with disabilities and are located in areas with high walkability. To ensure these accessible units are actually built, the legislation requires states to allocate credits so that at least 40% of all new low-income housing units created over any three-year period meet these specific disability access criteria.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill explicitly increases federal tax credit allocations to expand the supply of affordable and disability-accessible housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance Tags People with Disabilities

Sponsor Amy Klobuchar (D) · 5 co-sponsors

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in committee · United States · House Aug 6, 2026

HR 10049: Visitable Inclusive Tax credits for Accessible Living (VITAL) Act

The VITAL Act aims to increase the supply of affordable housing that is accessible to people with disabilities and older adults by modifying federal tax credit rules. It achieves this by raising the amount of funding states can receive for low-income housing projects and requiring that at least 40 percent of these funds support buildings specifically designed for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the bill offers a financial bonus for projects located in walkable neighborhoods and mandates that these accessible units meet specific design standards, such as wider doorways and lowered counters. These changes are intended to help residents remain independent in their communities rather than moving to institutional care settings.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases federal funding for accessible housing and modifies tax credit rules to support essential public services.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill increases affordable housing supply and funds accessible living projects for disabled and older adults.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance Tags People with Disabilities

Sponsor Dwight Evans (D) · 2 co-sponsors

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1312: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1740 HD2 SD2 CD1 (ACT 210).

This bill amends the rules for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address housing shortages by updating how "qualified residents" are defined and what restrictions apply to affordable housing units. It removes certain financial screening requirements that duplicate standard lender checks and allows deed-restricted units to be rented long-term after an initial occupancy period, rather than requiring perpetual owner-occupancy. The law also limits a qualified resident to owning a majority interest in no more than one dwelling property at a time, requiring the sale of any additional property within two years. These changes aim to reduce administrative burdens, prevent vacant investment holdings, and ensure that affordable housing remains available to local residents without unnecessarily restricting household mobility.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses housing shortages by updating affordable housing rules, removing redundant financial screening, and allowing long-term rentals for deed-restricted units.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1315: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2069 SD2 HD1 CD2 (ACT 213).

This bill extends the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund equity pilot program in Hawaii from June 2028 to June 2031, allowing the state housing finance corporation to continue helping qualified buyers purchase homes at reduced prices. The program specifically targets residents in critical shortage professions like healthcare and education by having the state purchase a share of equity in new homes, which lowers the purchase price for the buyer. Additionally, the law requires that these equity purchases be limited to homes located in transit-oriented development zones, such as areas near major bus routes or transit hubs. By amending existing statutes, the bill ensures that the program's requirements and eligibility rules remain in effect through the extended deadline.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends a housing finance program to help qualified buyers purchase homes at reduced prices, directly advancing affordable housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1318: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2544 SD2 HD1 CD1 (ACT 216).

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program called "Hawaii Builds" within the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to address the state's shortage of affordable housing for middle-income families. The program allows the corporation to use up to $20 million per year from its revolving fund for predevelopment activities like land acquisition and design, while requiring interagency coordination to speed up project timelines. To qualify, projects must be located on sites with adequate infrastructure, preferably in residential zones, and ensure all units meet specific affordability standards. Additionally, the law mandates that at least one such pilot project be designated in each county to promote statewide participation.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes a pilot program to address affordable housing shortages and funds predevelopment activities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1317: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB2385 HD3 SD1 CD1 (ACT 215).

This bill, signed into law as Act 215, shifts the authority to approve general excise tax exemptions for affordable housing projects from individual counties to the state's Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation. Beginning January 1, 2027, the state agency will certify these tax incentives for developments that utilize county housing programs, aiming to better offset rising construction costs and interest rates. The legislation also grants counties expanded powers to develop, finance, and construct low- and moderate-income housing, including the ability to make loans, guarantee mortgages, and acquire land, while prohibiting counties from issuing state general obligation bonds for such projects. These changes are designed to leverage both state and local resources to address Hawaii's ongoing housing shortage by streamlining the approval process for affordable rental housing.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill centralizes tax exemption authority to offset rising construction costs, supporting affordable housing funding and fiscal management.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill centralizes tax exemption authority to better offset construction costs and interest rates for affordable housing projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 9, 2026

GM 1307: Informing the Legislature that on July 8, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1920 HD1 SD2 CD1 (ACT 205).

This message informs the Hawaii Legislature that Governor Josh Green signed HB1920 into law on July 8, 2026. The bill amends state tax statutes to allow taxpayers to claim a low-income housing tax credit regardless of their eligibility for the federal version of the same credit. It also permits partnerships and limited liability companies to transfer or sell these tax credits to other taxpayers, even if those recipients do not own an interest in the qualifying building. The law takes effect immediately upon approval and includes specific provisions regarding how the credit can be allocated and transferred.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for low-income housing and allows transferability, providing tax relief and funding affordable housing.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands low-income housing tax credits and allows their transfer, increasing funding for affordable housing development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 15, 2026

GM 1366: Informing the Legislature that on July 15, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2338 SD1 HD2 CD1 (ACT 263).

This bill, signed into law as Act 263, updates the compensation and employment rules for the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Hawaii Community Development Authority to help them compete for skilled staff. It raises the salary cap for the executive director of the housing finance corporation to 99% of the governor's pay and creates a new deputy executive director role with a salary cap of 95% of the director's pay. Additionally, the legislation exempts these agencies from certain state approval requirements for hiring and job descriptions, while establishing new conditions for their employment contracts. These changes aim to allow the agencies to offer more competitive salaries and streamline their hiring processes to better address Hawaii's affordable housing needs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens housing agencies by increasing staff compensation to attract skilled workers, ensuring effective management of housing programs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill raises salary caps for housing agency executives to help compete for skilled staff, directly addressing labor standards and employment competitiveness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9906: FIXER Act

The FIXER Act allows state and local governments to issue tax-free bonds for specific housing projects without being limited by the usual spending caps. This change applies to buildings that need repairs or upgrades, such as low-income housing where the required affordable rental period has ended or federally assisted structures. By removing these limits, the bill aims to make it easier to raise funds for preserving and improving existing residential rental properties. Additionally, the act adjusts rules on buying existing buildings to allow up to 50 percent of bond funds to be used for such acquisitions, up from the previous 15 percent limit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill enables tax-free bonds to fund housing repairs, increasing available capital for essential public infrastructure without raising taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe FIXER Act enables tax-free bonds for repairing and upgrading housing, directly funding preservation of existing rental properties and low-income housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

Sponsor Daniel S. Goldman (D) · 1 co-sponsor

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in committee · United States · House Jul 2, 2026

HR 9584: The Housing Voucher Funding Reallocation Act

This bill, known as the Housing Voucher Funding Reallocation Act, aims to change how unspent federal housing funds are managed at the end of each fiscal year. It directly affects public housing agencies that administer tenant-based assistance, such as housing vouchers. Under the new rules, agencies that do not use all their allocated funds must return the leftover money to the federal government. These recaptured funds are then redistributed to other public housing agencies that have exhausted their entire budgets. The goal is to ensure that available housing assistance reaches more eligible individuals rather than remaining unused in agencies with excess capacity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by requiring agencies to return unspent funds, preventing waste and ensuring resources are redistributed to those in need.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill redirects unspent funds to agencies with exhausted allocations, ensuring more tenants receive housing assistance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Housing Finance Tenant Rights

Sponsor Michael Lawler (R)

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