The American Dream Accounts Act of 2026 creates a new type of tax-advantaged trust designed to help U.S. citizens save for purchasing their first home. This account allows individuals to contribute up to $7,500 annually, or $10,000 if they are over 35, with a lifetime limit of $250,000, and the funds must be managed by a bank or a qualified administrator. Money withdrawn from the account remains tax-free only if used to buy a first home, provided the buyer has not previously claimed this benefit and the home is kept for at least three years. The bill also permits rolling over distributions into other American Dream Accounts or Roth IRAs and imposes taxes on excess contributions or withdrawals used for non-qualified expenses.
The MAIL Act allows unhoused or housing-unstable individuals with low incomes who receive specific federal assistance to rent free post office boxes. To qualify, eligible people must submit proof of their status, such as enrollment in Medicaid or participation in food assistance programs, to their local postmaster. The law requires the United States Postal Service to issue regulations for this program within a year and authorizes the agency to buy and maintain the necessary boxes. To cover the cost of lost rental fees and the expense of providing these boxes, the bill directs Congress to appropriate funds to the Postal Service annually. The Postmaster General must also submit an implementation plan within six months and provide progress reports every five years to Congress.
The Homeowners Premium Tax Reduction Act of 2026 allows individual taxpayers to deduct up to $10,000 of their annual homeowners insurance premiums from their federal income taxes. This deduction applies specifically to insurance paid for a person's principal residence and is treated as an adjustment to income, meaning it reduces taxable earnings before other deductions are calculated. The law takes effect for tax years that begin after the bill is enacted, providing a direct financial benefit to homeowners who pay qualifying insurance costs.
The Build Homes, Not Hate Act of 2026 directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency to create a grant program aimed at reducing homelessness by funding new and existing housing units, emergency shelters, and support services for individuals and families. The legislation appropriates $70 billion for these efforts, allocating at least $54 billion for housing construction and rehabilitation, while reserving $14 billion for direct services like rental assistance, behavioral health support, and job training. Funds may be used for various housing solutions, including modular homes and converting vacant buildings, with a preference for areas experiencing high rates of unsheltered homelessness or rising rent costs. A specific provision prohibits the use of any funds from this program for immigration enforcement, detention, or border wall construction. Additionally, the bill permanently rescinds $70 billion previously designated for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to finance this new housing initiative.
This Senate resolution recognizes the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to live in their own homes and communities. It calls on the Department of Justice to rescind a recent opinion that the Senate views as undermining the legal requirement to provide community-based services instead of institutional care. The document also urges various federal agencies to improve funding for home and community-based services, increase accessible housing and transportation, and promote competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, the resolution pledges bipartisan efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including those of color, and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program that could limit access to essential support services.
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The Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2026 requires that new homes receiving federal assistance include at least one level designed to be accessible for people with mobility challenges. This rule applies to single-family houses, townhouses, modular homes, and ground-floor units in small buildings, provided they are made available for occupancy after one year from the law's enactment. To comply, builders must submit their architectural and construction plans to state or local officials for approval, ensuring the design meets specific accessibility standards before construction is finalized. The bill also establishes legal penalties for violations, allowing private individuals to sue for damages or court orders, such as requiring retrofits, while protecting existing contracts with buyers who were unaware of any violations.
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.
The Higher Education Access and Success for Homeless and Foster Youth Act of 2026 expands federal protections and support services for homeless and foster care students in higher education. It requires colleges to designate trained staff liaisons to assist these students with accessing resources like housing, food, and financial aid, while also mandating that institutions provide priority access to on-campus housing for this population. The bill further updates various federal student aid programs to explicitly include homeless and foster youth, ensuring they are treated as independent students for financial aid purposes and are actively recruited and retained through targeted outreach. Additionally, the legislation establishes new reporting requirements for colleges to track the number of these students served and mandates that states offer in-state tuition rates to homeless and foster youth attending public institutions.
This bill establishes a federal grant program to help states create or maintain dedicated offices focused on women's health. The funding, totaling $55 million annually from 2027 to 2031, is split evenly between all states and a formula based on factors like maternal mortality and poverty rates. Recipients must use the money for public education, data collection, and addressing social issues like housing and food insecurity, while also forming community advisory panels. The legislation includes strict rules prohibiting the use of funds to discourage reproductive health services and mandates strong privacy protections for any data collected.
This emergency bill authorizes the District of Columbia to approve two contract modifications with Friendship Place to expand short-term family housing services. The legislation increases the contract's funding limit to $1,342,150.58 to cover an overflow shelter for unhoused families when primary facilities reach capacity. It also grants immediate approval for payments related to goods and services provided under these modifications. The bill is designed to prevent service gaps by utilizing local resources to reduce strain on existing shelters.
