Housing in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3961: Stop Post-Disaster Vultures Act

This bill, known as the Stop Post-Disaster Vultures Act, would ban institutional investors from buying properties in areas affected by major disasters for six months after a federal disaster declaration. It defines institutional investors as individuals or entities owning at least 75 single-family homes and prohibits them from making purchase offers through mail, wire communications, or any other contact method during this period. The law aims to prevent large-scale property acquisitions by wealthy investors while communities are still recovering from disasters. It amends the existing Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to add this new restriction. The bill would directly affect large real estate investors and homeowners in disaster zones who might otherwise receive unsolicited purchase offers.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 4, 2025

S 1940: READY Accounts Act

The READY Accounts Act (S 1940) creates a new tax-advantaged savings account that allows individuals to deduct up to $4,500 annually (adjusted for inflation) for contributions to accounts specifically designed for home disaster mitigation and recovery expenses. These accounts can be used to pay for qualified measures like reinforcing roofs, installing impact-resistant windows, or repairing damage from disasters when insurance doesn't cover the costs. Funds used for qualified expenses aren't included in gross income, but funds used for non-qualified purposes are included in income with a 20% additional tax. The bill directly affects homeowners who want to save tax-effectively for disaster-related home improvements and repairs. It establishes specific rules for how these accounts can be set up, managed by banks or approved institutions, and distributed, with strict limits on what expenses qualify.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Building Codes

in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7753: First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026

This bill, known as the First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026, requires federal housing agencies and mortgage corporations to give first-time homebuyers priority access to foreclosed single-family homes for a 15-day period after they are listed for sale. During this window, properties must be priced based on independent appraisals or disclosed valuation models, listed on public websites with clear eligibility information, and cannot be bundled with other properties. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to Congress on sales data and requires internal audits to ensure compliance with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Mortgages

in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7756: First-time Homebuyer Savings Account Act of 2026

This bill creates a new type of tax-advantaged savings account specifically designed for first-time homebuyers. It allows individuals who have not owned a home in the past three years to make tax-deductible contributions to a special savings account, with a contribution limit based on income and capped at 20% of the national average home price. Money withdrawn from the account is tax-free if used for qualified expenses like purchasing a home or making major repairs, but taxable with a 10% penalty if used for other purposes. The bill also permits limited tax-free withdrawals for emergencies such as job loss, major health events, or marriage, and allows contributions to be rolled over into a new account within 60 days.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Procurement Homeownership

in committee · United States · House Jan 15, 2026

HR 5577: NFIP Extension Act of 2026

The NFIP Extension Act of 2026 extends the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through September 30, 2026, by updating two key deadlines in the law: the funding authorization (Section 1309(a)) and the program's expiration date (Section 1319). This directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses in flood-prone areas who rely on NFIP policies for coverage. The bill changes the existing 2023 expiration dates to 2026, preventing program shutdown and ensuring continued access to federally backed flood insurance. If passed after September 30, 2025, the changes apply retroactively as if enacted on that date.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · Senate May 1, 2025

S 1545: Repeatedly Flooded Communities Preparation Act

This bill requires communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program that repeatedly experience severe flooding to develop and implement flood mitigation plans. Specifically, it targets communities with at least 50 properties having multiple flood insurance claims totaling over $1,000 each in a 10-year period, or those with unmitigated severe flood damage to public/private facilities. Communities must assess flood risks, create community-specific plans for reducing those risks, and submit them to FEMA for review, with public access to these plans. Failure to comply may result in sanctions, including suspension from the flood insurance program, while FEMA must provide data assistance and consider compliance when distributing mitigation grants.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Natural Disasters Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Oct 28, 2025

HR 689: FREE Act

The FREE Act (HR 689) requires federal agencies to replace slow, discretionary permitting processes with a streamlined "permitting by rule" system for certain permits. Under this system, applicants would certify compliance with written standards (instead of lengthy agency reviews) and receive a permit automatically after 180 days if the agency doesn’t act. Agencies must first report on their current permitting processes and identify which permits can transition to this model, with deadlines for submissions and implementation. This directly affects federal agencies issuing permits (e.g., environmental or construction permits) and applicants seeking them, aiming to reduce delays and costs while allowing agencies to audit and enforce compliance after permits are granted.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · House May 1, 2025

HR 3161: Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025

Preventing Environmental Hazards Act of 2025 This bill expands National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) coverage to include the demolition or relocation of certain coastal structures that are facing imminent collapse or subsidence. Specifically, NFIP must pay for demolition or relocation for NFIP-insured structures that are condemned or deemed unsafe by state or local authorities due to the threat of imminent collapse or subsidence from shoreline erosion or that meet other location criteria. The bill sets forth provisions for the valuation of the structure, the maximum claim to be paid, and the terms of coverage termination. This bill applies to structures covered by NFIP (1) for a period of 12 months on or before the date of the bill’s enactment, or (2) for a continuous period of 4 years prior to certification for coverage established by this bill.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · House Jan 29, 2025

HR 760: Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act

HR 760, the Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act, allows FEMA to reimburse state, tribal, and local governments in North Carolina for repairing private roads and bridges damaged by Tropical Storm Helene - specifically those serving as the sole access to homes or essential services. It overrides standard FEMA rules by removing the requirement that roads must be in pre-existing good condition, enabling funding for repairs even if the infrastructure was already deteriorated. The bill requires inspections to verify needs, ensures roads stay open during repairs, and mandates documentation of costs, while clarifying that prior FEMA aid for similar repairs doesn’t count toward assistance limits. This directly affects mountain communities in North Carolina where Helene destroyed critical access routes, making recovery possible through federal reimbursement for previously ineligible private infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Tags Emergency Management

in committee · United States · House Jun 3, 2025

HR 3685: JUST Act of 2025

The JUST Act of 2025 strengthens civil rights enforcement at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by requiring corrective actions for employees who engage in discrimination, retaliation, or harassment - such as failing to provide required application receipts or delaying program services. It establishes a new Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights to oversee compliance, creates an independent Civil Rights Ombudsman office to help program participants navigate complaints, and grants the Assistant Secretary authority to directly grant equitable relief (like restoring loan eligibility) without prior approval from other USDA officials. The bill also shifts the burden of proof in appeals to require USDA to justify its decisions with strong evidence, ensuring fairer outcomes for applicants and participants in USDA programs.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Employment Discrimination

All housing bills