Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · United States · House May 17, 2025

HR 3475: Bipartisan American Homeownership Opportunity Act of 2025

This bill creates two new tax credits to support homebuyers. It provides a first-time homebuyer credit of up to $50,000 for down payments on primary residences, with income limits ($150,000 single filers, $225,000 head of household, $300,000 joint filers). A separate starter home construction credit offers 15% (30% for first-time buyers) of costs for new homes under 1,200 square feet priced at or below 80% of local median home prices. The credits require repayment if the home is sold or no longer used as a primary residence within five years, with exceptions for new purchases, death, divorce, or military service.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credits for middle-income homebuyers ($150k single filer limit), providing direct tax relief per income thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax credits for down payments and starter home construction at or below median prices, directly advancing affordable homeownership access for qualifying buyers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 24, 2025

S 2441: Build Now Act of 2025

The Build Now Act of 2025 adjusts federal housing funding for eligible cities and counties that receive Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs). It rewards jurisdictions with strong housing growth by adding bonus funds to their CDBG allocations if their housing growth rate meets or exceeds the median of similar areas, or if they qualify as "extremely high-growth" (4%+ annual growth). Conversely, areas with below-median growth face a 10% reduction in their standard CDBG allocation. The bill uses housing unit data from the Census Bureau to calculate growth rates and requires annual reports on these metrics before funding is distributed. This policy directly affects over 100 metropolitan areas meeting the defined eligibility criteria under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates federal CDBG funds based on housing growth performance, rewarding high-growth areas with bonus funds and directing resources toward housing development programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRewards high-growth areas with bonus CDBG funds, incentivizing housing development and increasing funding for eligible jurisdictions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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in committee · United States · Senate Oct 21, 2025

S 1511: Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act

The Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act modifies provisions of the Internal Revenue Code to improve housing bond programs. It increases the financing limit for qualified home improvement loans from $15,000 to $75,000 (with annual inflation adjustments), eliminates restrictions on refinancing mortgages for eligible homeowners, and revises reporting requirements for bond usage. The bill also extends the period for mortgage credit certificates to remain in effect and makes other adjustments to housing finance provisions. These changes affect state and local housing authorities, mortgage lenders, and low- to moderate-income homeowners seeking affordable housing financing. The bill aims to make housing finance programs more flexible and accessible through concrete policy changes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases housing bond financing limits and extends tax credit certificates, directly funding affordable housing through tax incentives and enhanced budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases home improvement loan limits to $75k, eliminates refinancing restrictions, and enhances housing bond programs to advance affordable housing access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

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in committee · United States · House Jul 29, 2025

HR 4810: BUILD Housing Act

HR 4810, the BUILD Housing Act, streamlines environmental reviews for HUD-funded housing projects by allowing the Secretary to designate such assistance as "special project" funds under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This change directly affects HUD housing programs, local governments, and federally recognized tribes by simplifying the review process for projects like affordable housing developments. The bill specifically adds "Indian Tribe" to the list of entities that can assume environmental review responsibilities, aligning with existing tribal housing laws. It does not create new funding or housing but modifies procedural requirements for existing programs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentStreamlines NEPA reviews for HUD housing, reducing environmental scrutiny and regulatory burden for projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStreamlines environmental reviews for HUD-funded affordable housing projects, reducing bureaucratic delays in development and directly advancing housing construction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Tags Tribal Nations

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in committee · United States · House Jun 10, 2025

HRES 493: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States must take urgent, coordinated action to address the national housing crisis through preservation and production of affordable housing.

HRES 493 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' view that the U.S. housing crisis requires urgent, coordinated action. It highlights a shortage of over 7 million affordable rental homes, cost-burdened renters (12 million spending over 50% of income on housing), and rising homelessness, disproportionately affecting communities of color, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families. The resolution urges federal, state, and local governments to prioritize expanding affordable housing supply, preserving existing units, and strengthening rental assistance programs. It also encourages private and nonprofit partnerships to develop community-responsive housing solutions. This resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally calls for policy alignment across all levels of government to address housing affordability.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingResolution urges coordinated action to preserve/produce affordable housing amid crisis, addressing shortage and homelessness per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Tenant Rights

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 3636: Build HUBS Act

The Build HUBS Act (S 3636) improves federal transportation financing programs to support housing development near transit facilities. It defines "attainable housing" for households earning up to 120% of area median income (with most units affordable to those earning up to 80%), creates alternative credit assessment methods to reduce reliance on investment-grade ratings, and streamlines environmental reviews for certain housing projects. The bill establishes a delegated financing program modeled after HUD's housing system to speed up approvals for transit-oriented development projects. These changes primarily affect local governments, transit agencies, and developers working on housing near transit facilities, aiming to increase housing availability for lower- and middle-income residents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingDefines attainable housing for 80-120% AMI, funds transit-oriented housing development, and streamlines reviews to increase affordable housing access.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill improves federal transportation financing for housing near transit facilities, directly advancing transportation infrastructure and connectivity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Zoning Bridges Public Transit Rail

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2416: Identifying Regulatory Barriers to Housing Supply Act

This bill requires local governments receiving certain federal housing grants to track and report on specific zoning reforms that could increase housing supply. It targets jurisdictions served by recipients of Community Development Block Grants, asking them to document plans for policies like allowing duplexes in single-family zones, reducing parking requirements, or streamlining building permits. The reporting is voluntary - submissions aren't binding, can't be used for enforcement, and don't require actual policy changes. The goal is to identify barriers to affordable housing through data collection, not to mandate specific reforms.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill targets zoning reforms (e.g., duplexes, reduced parking) to increase housing supply, directly advancing housing development and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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in committee · United States · House May 6, 2025

HR 3214: HOME Act of 2025

The HOME Act of 2025 prohibits landlords and sellers from charging "unconscionably excessive" rental or home sale prices during a federally declared affordable housing crisis. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must determine crisis periods using metrics like mortgage rates, median home prices, and disaster declarations, with restrictions limiting crisis periods to 30 days (renewable). Violations are enforced by HUD and state attorneys general, with penalties funding affordable housing through the Housing Trust Fund. The law also requires HUD to monitor housing markets, investigate excessive investor purchases, and review anti-competitive practices in rental markets.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits excessive rents/sales during housing crises, enforces HUD/state penalties funding affordable housing initiatives95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Tenant Rights

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 29, 2025

S 1515: Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025

The Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2025 updates the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program to increase affordability and accessibility for low-income households. It raises state allocation amounts through revised per capita calculations, modifies income eligibility rules to better serve extremely low-income households, and adds protections for domestic violence victims in housing. The bill expands "difficult development areas" to include rural areas and Indian lands, and changes the program's name from "Low-Income Housing Credit" to "Affordable Housing Credit" to better reflect its purpose. These changes aim to make affordable housing more accessible while improving transparency and accountability in the program's implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program via increased state allocations and revised eligibility, directly funding affordable housing through tax incentives - aligns with supporting essential programs via fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly increases affordability via tax credit updates, expands protections for tenants/victims, targets low-income households, and broadens development areas to rural/Indian lands.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 970: Helping More Families Save Act

S 970, the Helping More Families Save Act, creates a 10-year pilot program allowing families receiving Section 8 or 9 housing assistance to save rent increases from earned income in interest-bearing escrow accounts. Covered families (earning under 80% of area median income) must opt-in, with funds becoming accessible after 5 years (or up to 7 years with continued participation) for approved self-sufficiency goals like education or housing. The program ensures these savings don’t reduce eligibility for other benefits, and participants must be fully informed about the opt-in process. The pilot will be evaluated after 8 years to assess its effectiveness in helping families achieve economic independence.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables Section 8/9 recipients to save rent increases for housing goals, strengthening financial stability without reducing assistance eligibility.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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