This bill expands housing benefits for volunteer firefighters and other first responders by allowing them to receive a $18,000 income deduction when applying for USDA single-family housing loans. It also grants these volunteers eligibility to purchase discounted homes through the Good Neighbor Next Door program and similar federal housing sales initiatives. To qualify, individuals must provide a verification letter from their volunteer organization confirming at least two years of service, meeting specific hour or membership requirements, and holding valid state or tribal certification. The legislation defines "qualified volunteer first responders" based on existing Internal Revenue Code standards and requires proof of a commitment to continue volunteering for at least one year after buying a home.
This bill establishes a new funding mechanism to support affordable housing and small businesses near public transit stations by creating special accounts within Community Development Financial Institutions. It allows these institutions to receive secured federal loans, which must then be used to fund affordable projects in low-income areas within a half-mile of transit facilities. The legislation sets specific rules for these accounts, including loan limits of up to 80 percent of project costs and a requirement that repayments be reinvested to create a revolving fund for future projects. Additionally, the bill adjusts existing federal credit programs to accommodate these new accounts and requires coordination with the Treasury Department to manage credit assessments.
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' sense that the United States must permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2029 while protecting the civil and human rights of unhoused individuals. It calls for specific actions such as allocating billions of dollars in funding for affordable housing, expanding access to healthcare and food assistance, and removing barriers that prevent people with criminal records from receiving public services. The text also urges the government to decriminalize behaviors like sleeping in public or panhandling, prohibit discrimination based on housing status, and establish legal protections for those providing services to unhoused communities. Additionally, it requests the creation of more accurate methods for counting the unhoused population and mandates annual reports on law enforcement interactions with this population.
The Vacancy to Value Act of 2026 directs the General Services Administration to run a five-year pilot program selling or transferring underused federal properties to entities that commit to specific community benefits like affordable housing and job creation. These sales may occur at prices below fair market value, provided buyers submit a redevelopment plan and begin construction within five years, with the government retaining the right to reclaim the property if these conditions are not met. Additionally, the bill establishes a competitive grant program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to fund predevelopment work, construction, and infrastructure for projects led by local governments, nonprofits, and community land trusts. Priority consideration for both property transfers and grants is given to projects that create affordable housing or serve low-income and historically underserved communities, with recipients required to submit annual reports on their progress and impact.
This bill authorizes $5 billion annually for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2035 to fund affordable housing programs, but restricts these funds to areas designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development as having high housing costs. It also requires the Secretary to conduct a comprehensive study on alternative ways to calculate income limits for urban housing assistance, with a final report due two years after enactment. The study will analyze how current income metrics affect rent affordability and explore options like using ZIP Code-level data to better support low- and middle-income families in expensive cities.
The Homeownership Savings Act creates a new tax-advantaged account designed to help first-time homebuyers save for down payments and closing costs. This program allows individuals to deduct up to $3,000 annually from their federal income taxes for contributions made to a qualified homeownership savings account, subject to limits based on earned income and modified adjusted gross income. Contributions to these accounts are also excluded from federal income, Social Security, and unemployment taxes if made by employers, and funds withdrawn for approved housing expenses remain tax-free. The bill includes specific rules for account termination, penalties for non-qualified withdrawals, and requires trustees to file reports with the IRS. These tax provisions are scheduled to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act creates a new federal tax credit to encourage the development and rehabilitation of affordable housing for middle-income families. This credit applies to buildings where at least 60% of units are rent-restricted and occupied by individuals earning 100% or less of the area median income, with at least 20% of those units specifically targeted for middle-income households. The bill establishes a 15-year credit period based on a percentage of the building's qualified basis, which is determined by factors such as the building's cost, location, and whether it is new or existing. To qualify, developers must enter into binding agreements with housing agencies that include long-term commitments to maintain affordable rents and prevent the displacement of tenants, while also adhering to specific financial feasibility and reporting requirements.
This resolution directs the House to agree to a Senate amendment for a comprehensive housing bill that updates federal programs to increase housing supply, improve affordability, and modernize regulations. The legislation directly affects homeowners, renters, local governments, financial institutions, and federal agencies by establishing new grant programs, revising loan limits, and streamlining environmental reviews for construction projects. Key provisions include creating incentives for small-dollar mortgages, expanding funding for affordable housing and rural development, updating standards for manufactured and modular homes, and enhancing oversight of housing regulators and community banks. Additionally, the bill introduces specific measures to address homelessness, support veterans, and improve the efficiency of interagency coordination among HUD, USDA, and VA.
The Freedom to Build Act establishes a voluntary federal designation for local governments that address housing affordability and supply. Localities can qualify by either adopting specific regulatory reforms to streamline construction and protect property rights, or by demonstrating sustained housing supply growth that meets an affordability-adjusted target. This designation directly affects participating localities by prioritizing them for competitive housing and community development grants administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Other federal agencies are also encouraged to consider this designation when awarding related grants.
HR 6774, the FHA Small-Dollar Mortgages Act, authorizes the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a four-year pilot program to increase access to mortgages of $100,000 or less for individuals purchasing their primary residence. This program would offer incentives such as direct payments to lenders for originating these small-dollar mortgages and grants to borrowers to help cover costs like down payments, closing costs, and appraisals. It also allows for adjustments to Federal Housing Administration terms for these loans and mandates outreach to potential borrowers. The bill requires annual reports to Congress evaluating the program's outcomes and risks to the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
