This bill creates a HUD grant program to help developers offset state and local taxes and infrastructure fees for new housing projects. Developers must secure commitments from local governments to reduce property taxes by at least 50% on qualifying projects to qualify. Priority is given to projects increasing affordable housing, located near transit or job centers, using infill sites, or targeting workforce/senior housing needs. The program allocates $300 million annually (2027-2031) to cover up to 50% of eligible costs or $150,000 per developer, with grants lasting up to five years.
This bill modifies eligibility rules for two federal loan programs (TIFIA and RRIF) to better accommodate residential and mixed-use development projects. It requires that such projects meet creditworthiness standards jointly determined by the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development secretaries, ensuring standards protect program finances while aligning with HUD's existing housing requirements. The changes apply to projects seeking loans under these programs after a 180-day effective date. The bill does not create new funding but adjusts how housing projects qualify for existing federal loan assistance.
HR 5824, the Tribal Affordable Housing Act, creates a new HUD grant program to help Native American tribes build or improve housing on tribal lands. It allocates $150 million annually starting in 2026 for competitive grants to tribes or tribal housing entities that historically received under $500,000 in HUD funding. Grants fund either new residential units or necessary improvements (like repairs or additions) to existing units. The program operates under existing rules from the 1996 Native American Housing Act.
HR 5443, the Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2025, expands federal housing anti-discrimination protections to include "source of income," "veteran status," and "military status." It defines "source of income" broadly to cover housing vouchers, Social Security benefits, child support, and other lawful income sources like savings or gifts. The bill adds these categories to all existing anti-discrimination provisions in the Fair Housing Act, prohibiting housing providers from refusing to rent or sell based on these factors. This directly affects renters and homeowners using housing assistance, veterans, active military members, and individuals receiving non-wage income.
HR 7326 (ABODE Act) creates a grant program to fund the development or rehabilitation of affordable housing. It directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award grants to organizations building or rehabbing single- and multi-family homes for households earning 50% or less of the area median income. Projects must prioritize reducing costs, improving energy efficiency, enhancing accessibility for people with disabilities, and using resilient designs. HUD will require grantees to build a set number of homes meeting these standards before receiving full payment, and must report results to Congress within two years.
The MAHA Act of 2026 creates a new $5,000 federal tax credit (doubling to $10,000 for joint filers) for first-time homebuyers who purchase a principal residence during the tax year. It directly affects eligible individuals who haven’t claimed this credit in the prior four years, with the credit phasing out for those earning above $250,000 (individual) or $500,000 (joint) in modified adjusted gross income. The credit reduces tax liability by a fixed amount, not a percentage, and applies to taxable years beginning after the bill’s enactment. This is a tax incentive, not direct housing assistance, aimed at reducing the cost of homeownership for qualifying buyers.
The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program through fiscal year 2029 with annual funding increasing from $5 billion in 2025 to over $6 billion in 2029. The bill makes several key changes including increasing administrative resources from 10% to 15% of funds, eliminating a commitment deadline for using funds, and creating new provisions for small-scale housing (up to 4 rental units) to qualify as affordable housing. It also establishes a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion cap for fiscal year 2025, designed to help finance affordable housing development and preservation. These changes directly affect state and local governments administering the HOME program, as well as developers and residents of affordable housing properties.
S 3600 declares a national housing emergency, requiring the President to use the Defense Production Act to boost domestic materials for housing construction and rehabilitation. It temporarily suspends federal environmental reviews for housing projects, removes barriers like zoning restrictions (e.g., minimum lot sizes, parking requirements), and waives certain regulations affecting housing development. States and localities must meet housing growth targets - such as increasing permits or allowing duplexes - to qualify for federal block grants. The bill aims to address a projected 4 million housing shortage by accelerating construction, with the emergency ending when 4 million units are built or by 2031.
The Housing Crisis Response Act of 2025 is a comprehensive federal bill that provides substantial new funding to address the housing affordability crisis. It directly affects low- and moderate-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and rural communities through expanded access to affordable housing. Key mechanisms include $10 billion for public housing repairs and construction, $15 billion for housing vouchers, $1.8 billion for rural rental housing, and new requirements for housing accessibility and energy efficiency. The bill also establishes a Community Restoration and Revitalization Fund to support community-led housing initiatives and creates new downpayment assistance programs for first-generation homebuyers. Overall, it represents a major federal investment in creating and preserving affordable housing across multiple housing program categories.
The HOME Reform Act of 2025 updates the HOME Investment Partnerships Program to improve affordable housing access. It redefines eligibility by requiring household income to not exceed 100% of the area median family income (replacing vague "low-income" terms), expands infrastructure funding for nonentitlement areas to support housing-related utilities, and adds new definitions for "infill housing projects" (e.g., projects on previously disturbed land within developed areas). Key provisions include exceptions for military members and heirs of deceased homeowners to maintain affordability, streamlined environmental reviews for certain projects, and removal of a 24-month deadline for unused funds. The bill directly affects low-income families, housing developers, and local jurisdictions administering HOME funds.
