Housing across the country

in committee · United States · House Jul 30, 2026

HR 9994: Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act

The Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act requires states to ensure that children are not separated from their parents solely because of poverty. It mandates that states develop or improve services, such as housing and unemployment assistance, to help low-income families stay together safely. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report within two years detailing how poverty influences child welfare investigations, removals, and foster care placements. This legislation aims to prevent the separation of families due to financial hardship and to gather data on the link between poverty and child neglect cases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates states to improve housing services for low-income families to prevent child separation due to poverty.85% confidence

Tags Children

Sponsor Gwen Moore (D)

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10028: MOVE Act

The MOVE Act directs the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation to start buying and bundling specific conventional mortgages within 180 days of the law's enactment. These mortgages must allow homeowners to transfer their loan's interest rate, terms, and balance to a new property within 90 days of selling their current home. By purchasing these loans, the bill aims to create a market for portable mortgages that facilitate easier home sales by preventing rate locks from hindering transactions. The legislation defines eligible loans based on existing standards set by the two government-sponsored enterprises.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill creates a market for portable mortgages to facilitate easier home sales, thereby supporting housing liquidity and mobility.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Mortgages

Sponsor Thomas H. Kean, Jr. (R)

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5106: Wildfire Insurance Affordability Act

The Wildfire Insurance Affordability Act establishes two main programs to help homeowners in high-risk areas reduce fire danger and lower insurance costs. First, it creates a grant program for states and local agencies to fund home hardening projects, such as upgrading roofs and installing fire-resistant materials, with funding distributed based on population, fire risk, and the needs of low-income or rural communities. Second, it launches a five-year pilot program that provides vouchers to low-income households in high-risk zones to help pay their wildfire insurance premiums, but only after they have completed specific safety improvements. The bill also ensures that money received from these new programs is not counted as taxable income for individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a grant program and pilot program to fund home hardening and provide insurance vouchers, directly increasing federal spending to support state budgets and fiscal management in high-risk areas.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds home hardening and fire-resistant materials to reduce wildfire risk, protecting natural resources and ecosystems from destruction.75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill funds home hardening and insurance affordability for homeowners, directly supporting housing stability and access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry

Sponsor Jeff Merkley (D)

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2026

S 5125: Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026

The Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026 mandates that new single-family homes, townhouses, and small multi-unit buildings receiving federal assistance must include at least one level designed to be accessible for individuals with disabilities. To enforce this, builders must submit construction plans for approval to state or local agencies, which can withhold final occupancy permits if the designs do not meet specific accessibility standards. The law also establishes a legal framework allowing private citizens to sue developers for non-compliance, with potential remedies including damages and court orders to retrofit the property.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill improves patient access to healthcare by mandating accessible home designs for individuals with disabilities.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates accessibility in federally assisted housing, strengthening protections for individuals with disabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Tags People with Disabilities

Sponsor Tammy Duckworth (D)

Track

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

Track

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10022: CLUSTER Act

The CLUSTER Act amends federal disaster relief laws to officially include "community hardening" as a recognized type of hazard mitigation. This change allows funding for coordinated safety upgrades across multiple private homes in a specific area, rather than treating each property individually. The bill directly affects homeowners and local governments seeking federal assistance to strengthen residential structures against threats like earthquakes or storms. By adding this category to the existing Stafford Act, the legislation expands the scope of eligible projects for disaster preparedness.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe bill funds community hardening and safety upgrades for residential structures, directly strengthening housing resilience against disasters.85% confidence

Sponsor James Gallagher (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Aug 4, 2026

S 5227: First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act

The First-Time Home Buyer Empowerment Act allows individuals to use funds from long-term 529 college savings plans to purchase a principal residence without incurring federal income taxes. To qualify, the account must have been open for at least 15 years, the distribution must be used within 60 days, and the total amount withdrawn for this purpose cannot exceed $35,000. If the home is sold or no longer used as a primary residence within five years, the beneficiary must repay the tax benefit, though this penalty decreases by 20 percent for each full year the home is kept. The law also adjusts the overall limit on special rollovers to Roth IRAs to account for these new home purchase withdrawals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief for first-time home buyers by allowing tax-free withdrawals from 529 plans, aligning with fiscal support for middle-income households.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables tax-free use of 529 funds for first-time home purchases, increasing access to homeownership and supporting affordable housing goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership

Sponsor Jon Husted (R) · 1 co-sponsor

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 28, 2026

S 5146: Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026

The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026 amends the Higher Education Act to provide specific protections and support services for homeless and foster care youth. The bill requires colleges to designate trained staff liaisons to assist these students with accessing financial aid, housing, and other essential resources, while also mandating that institutions offer priority access to on-campus housing during breaks. Additionally, the legislation expands eligibility for in-state tuition rates at public universities for both homeless and foster care youth and updates Federal TRIO programs to require outreach and barrier removal for these populations. The act also establishes new reporting requirements to track the number of homeless and foster youth served and mandates annual training for university staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access and mandates support services for homeless and foster youth in higher education.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill mandates priority access to on-campus housing for homeless and foster youth, directly strengthening housing support for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Homelessness

Sponsor Patty Murray (D)

Track

introduced · Hawaii · Senate Jul 14, 2026

GM 1352: Informing the Legislature that on July 14, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB2866 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 250).

This message from the Governor informs the Hawaii Legislature that he signed Act 250 into law on July 14, 2026. The bill makes permanent the state rent supplement program for elderly residents, known as kupuna, which provides monthly rental assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness. Previously set to expire in 2026, the program's sunset date was extended to 2028 before this legislation made the funding permanent. The act takes effect on July 1, 2026, ensuring continued support for approximately 300 at-risk elderly individuals who receive less than $500 per month in aid.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill makes permanent funding for a rent supplement program for elderly residents, preventing eviction and homelessness.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Renters Tenant Rights

Track

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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