Housing (Homeownership)

HR 6328, the Main Street Home Builders Act of 2025, creates a pilot program (the "505 Pilot Program") allowing the Small Business Administration to provide loans to small housing businesses for building or managing rental properties. The bill removes standard SBA loan requirements like job creation targets and restrictions on leasing, specifically for projects constructing or renovating build-to-rent multifamily housing (housing built solely for renting). It sets annual funding limits of $1 billion for 2026, $2 billion for 2027, and $3 billion each year from 2028-2030, with the program ending after five years. This directly affects small housing developers/managers who build or renovate rental units, requiring them to create at least one new rental unit per project.

This bill establishes two new programs under the National Affordable Housing Act to increase affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education. It provides $25 million annually (2026-2031) for technical assistance to help these groups remove barriers to developing housing for low-income households, including those at risk of homelessness, veterans, and people with disabilities. Additionally, it creates $50 million annually in competitive challenge grants for local governments and states to adopt policies removing barriers and produce housing for households earning below 60% of area median income, with priority for well-resourced neighborhoods. The programs require public planning and reporting to ensure funds directly support affordable housing development on eligible properties.

The Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025 establishes a federal pilot program to fund home repairs for affordable housing. It provides grants to eligible homeowners (with income at or below 80% of area median income) and forgivable loans to eligible landlords (who own 10 or fewer rental properties with majority affordable units) for repairs addressing accessibility, habitability, energy efficiency, and safety. The program requires landlords to maintain affordability by capping rent increases at 5% annually for three years after repairs and to comply with accessibility standards. The pilot will operate until 2031 with $30 million in funding, administered by local governments or qualified nonprofits, and will track outcomes through annual reporting on units served and demographic data.