Housing in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 16, 2026

S 5020: Improving Housing Performance Act

The Improving Housing Performance Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to conduct an independent study on how well manufactured homes withstand natural hazards like floods, wildfires, and hurricanes. This study will evaluate current safety standards and installation practices specifically for homes located in high-risk areas to identify ways to improve their durability and safety. The bill requires the department to submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations for updating these standards, while also analyzing how such changes might affect the cost and affordability of manufactured homes. Additionally, the legislation mandates a strategy to improve data collection regarding how these homes perform during extreme weather events.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Property Development

in committee · United States · House Jul 16, 2026

HR 9733: Interagency Council on Affordable Housing Act of 2026

This bill establishes a new independent council within the executive branch called the United States Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Preservation to coordinate federal efforts on affordable housing. The council will be composed of heads from twenty-one different federal agencies, including HUD, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor, who will meet at least four times a year to develop a national strategic plan and review housing programs. Its main duties involve creating a unified strategy to increase affordable housing supply, providing technical assistance to states and local governments, and reporting annually to the President and Congress on housing needs and federal actions. The legislation also encourages states to form their own interagency councils and authorizes $4.8 million per year through 2031 to fund the council's operations.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

in committee · United States · House Jul 2, 2026

HR 9573: Housing Opportunities and Preservation Enhancement Act of 2026

The Housing Opportunities and Preservation Enhancement Act of 2026 provides specific tax incentives to encourage the rehabilitation and long-term preservation of low-income rental housing. It defines "qualified property" as buildings that have been in service for over 15 years, are owned by specific non-profit or government entities, and maintain restrictions ensuring at least 70% of units are occupied by low-income tenants. To qualify, these buildings must undergo significant rehabilitation spending within a 24-month period, a fact that must be certified by an independent accountant. The bill grants these properties exemptions from various tax rules, including passive activity limitations and profit motive requirements, while also allowing for accelerated depreciation over 15 years. Additionally, it clarifies how gains are calculated upon sale and ensures that certain capital grants used for construction do not reduce the property's tax basis.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Renters

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 11, 2026

S 4773: DASH Act

The DASH Act establishes a new federal rental voucher program specifically for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, providing 250,000 vouchers in 2026 and expanding to 400,000 annually thereafter. This initiative requires public housing agencies to partner with local service providers to offer supportive services such as healthcare, job training, and case management while prohibiting conditions related to sobriety or criminal history for most applicants. The bill also expands rural housing assistance by increasing funding for loans and grants aimed at preserving affordable rental housing for farm laborers and low-income residents in non-metropolitan areas. Additionally, the legislation introduces new tax credits to encourage the construction of affordable housing, including a renters credit for low-income households, a middle-income housing credit, and a neighborhood homes credit for distressed communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homelessness Renters

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9667: Securing Healthcare and Income Entitlements for Lawfully Domiciled Citizens (SHIELD Citizens) Act

The SHIELD Citizens Act aims to restrict access to federal welfare programs, such as food assistance, Medicaid, and housing aid, exclusively to United States citizens. By amending existing laws, the bill removes eligibility for noncitizens, including lawfully domiciled residents, while preserving access to emergency medical care, disaster relief, and services like soup kitchens. The legislation includes a transition period allowing current recipients to keep their benefits for up to 180 days after the law takes effect, which is set to begin 180 days after enactment. This change directly impacts noncitizen families who currently rely on these safety net programs, narrowing the pool of eligible individuals to citizens only.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Housing ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Medicaid

in committee · United States · House Jul 13, 2026

HR 9657: Protecting American Homes from Hedge Funds Act

This bill imposes new taxes on large investment firms, known as hedge funds, that own multiple single-family homes to discourage them from holding properties as long-term investments. Under the tax provisions, these firms would face a 50 percent charge on the value of any new homes they buy and an annual penalty of $50,000 for every home they hold beyond a specific limit that decreases over time. The legislation also creates a Housing Downpayment Trust Fund financed by these taxes to provide grants for down payments and closing costs to low-to-moderate-income buyers. Additionally, the bill disallows mortgage interest and depreciation tax deductions for owners subject to these new taxes and bars federal mortgage agencies like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from lending to or buying mortgages from these large investors.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages

in committee · United States · House Jun 4, 2026

HR 9159: Protect Our Homes Act

The Protect Our Homes Act creates a new loan program to help homeowners associations and similar residential communities repair common areas damaged by natural disasters or implement measures to prevent future damage. This initiative allows these organizations to borrow money from banks to cover costs for fixing water, wind, or fire damage to shared spaces like roofs and hallways, as well as to upgrade properties in areas recently affected by disasters. Loans are capped at $500,000 for most borrowers and up to $2 million for major employers in disaster zones, with interest rates tied to federal debt averages and terms lasting up to thirty years. The program also waives collateral requirements for smaller loans of $14,000 or less and permits borrowers to defer payments if they face financial hardship.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · House Jul 9, 2026

HR 9625: Freedom to Build Act

The Freedom to Build Act creates a voluntary designation for local governments that adopt specific reforms to reduce barriers to housing construction. To qualify, a locality must either implement at least three reforms in each of three categories - such as allowing modern building methods, setting strict permit timelines, and eliminating rent control - or demonstrate sustained growth in its housing supply relative to local affordability. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will maintain a public list of these designated areas and review the required reforms every five years. Localities that lose their designation due to reversing reforms or failing supply targets receive a 180-day grace period to correct the issue before revocation. Additionally, the bill directs the Department to prioritize these designated communities when awarding competitive federal grants for housing and community development projects.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Community Development Property Development Renters

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9677: Grad Student Affordable Housing Act of 2026

The Grad Student Affordable Housing Act of 2026 directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a program offering rental assistance vouchers to graduate students. To qualify, students must be enrolled in graduate programs and meet specific income limits, which are set at $40,000 for dependents or independent individuals and $80,000 for families, with provisions for cost-of-living adjustments. Selected students receive vouchers that cover 80 percent of the fair market rental cost for their chosen housing. The bill requires students to apply through the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development within one year of the law's enactment.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development Renters

in committee · United States · House Jul 14, 2026

HR 9669: FACT Pilot Program Act

This bill creates a five-year pilot program to provide grants to states and local governments for expanding Forensic Assertive Community Treatment teams. These specialized teams offer intensive, round-the-clock support including mental health care, addiction treatment, and housing assistance to individuals with serious mental illness who are involved with the criminal justice system. The program requires teams to include a mix of psychiatrists, employment specialists, criminal justice partners, and peer specialists with lived experience. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for a study by the National Academies to evaluate the program's effectiveness and develop guidelines for scaling it up.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

All housing bills