Housing in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4854: Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act

The Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act aims to improve housing stability for current and former foster youth by expanding their access to federal housing assistance and supportive services. It amends existing laws to allow states to use funding for services such as financial literacy counseling, help with lease contracts, and assistance with security deposits and moving costs. The bill also clarifies that these supportive services do not count toward spending limits on room and board, enabling more funds to be used for housing support. Additionally, it requires the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development to create joint guidance within a year to better coordinate programs for youth aging out of foster care. Finally, the act mandates a report to Congress within three years detailing how many eligible youth are receiving housing aid and the outcomes of these programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Tenant Rights

in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9513: Community Schools and Health Equity Act

The Community Schools and Health Equity Act establishes a competitive grant program led by the Department of Education to fund school-based health services in community schools. Eligible recipients, such as local school districts and community partnerships, can use these funds to hire staff like nurses and social workers, provide wraparound support including nutrition and housing assistance, and address social determinants of health. The legislation prioritizes grants for schools serving high numbers of low-income students, English learners, and families in medically underserved areas. To ensure accountability, grantees must annually report on student outcomes and health impacts, while the Education and Health and Human Services Secretaries must coordinate to reduce administrative burdens and share technical assistance.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Student Health

in committee · United States · House Jul 6, 2026

HR 9379: Affordable Homes for Veterans Act of 2026

The Affordable Homes for Veterans Act of 2026 requires lenders to process applications for assuming existing VA home loans within 45 calendar days. This bill also mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs update its guidance to ensure lenders cannot discourage applicants by suggesting longer wait times. Additionally, the law directs the Office of Inspector General to conduct a comprehensive assessment of current processing speeds and denial rates, with a report due to Congress within 18 months. These measures aim to make the process of taking over a veteran's home loan faster and more transparent for potential buyers.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mortgages Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · United States · House Jun 23, 2026

HR 9401: Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 strengthens the Americans with Disabilities Act to ensure individuals with long-term service and support needs have a federally protected right to live in their communities rather than institutions. It requires states and insurance providers to offer community-based services that allow people to maintain independence, control their own care, and access affordable, integrated housing. The bill mandates that public entities and insurers create enforceable transition plans to move people out of institutions, conduct self-evaluations to identify barriers, and establish clear grievance procedures for resolving complaints. Enforcement is handled by the Department of Justice, which can investigate violations, while individuals may also file civil lawsuits to seek damages or court orders preventing institutionalization.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4861: Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2026

The Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2026 offers a financial incentive for first-time homebuyers by reducing their mortgage insurance premiums. To qualify for this discount, applicants must complete a financial literacy housing counseling program before signing their mortgage application or sales agreement. The bill lowers the premium rate by 25 basis points compared to the standard amount set by the Secretary, provided the counseling is finished prior to the mortgage signing. This policy directly affects individuals purchasing their first home who participate in the required educational program.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homeownership Mortgages

in committee · United States · House Jun 29, 2026

HR 9514: Homeownership Eligibility Reform Act

The Homeownership Eligibility Reform Act restricts access to government-backed and private mortgage insurance for single-family homes to individuals who are U.S. citizens. Specifically, the bill amends laws governing the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to require that borrowers for one-to-four-unit properties must be citizens to qualify for their mortgage products. This change directly affects foreign nationals and non-citizen residents who currently might purchase homes with these types of financing, effectively limiting their eligibility for these specific mortgage programs.

Topics ✗ Housing ✗ Immigration

Sub-Topics Homeownership Mortgages Citizenship & Naturalization

in committee · United States · House Jun 23, 2026

HR 9404: VA Home Loan Navigator Act

The VA Home Loan Navigator Act establishes a free, voluntary program to help veterans and eligible borrowers navigate VA home loan benefits. The Department of Veterans Affairs will fund independent, neutral organizations to provide education, counseling on loan processes, and assistance with issues like foreclosure prevention and understanding costs. To ensure fairness, the law strictly prohibits these service providers from receiving payments from lenders or real estate agents and requires them to remain operationally separate from any mortgage or brokerage businesses. Designated entities must meet specific criteria, including HUD approval and a primary mission of serving military families, while individual counselors must be certified and recertified every three years. The program will be monitored through regular reports to Congress evaluating borrower satisfaction and outcomes such as foreclosure prevention rates.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Mortgages Veteran Housing

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 16, 2026

S 4797: Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act

The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act amends federal law to require states to include legal counseling services for foster youth and to certify that their care plans address specific legal issues like housing, education, and family connections. This legislation directly affects the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program by updating how states must plan for the transition of foster youth into adulthood. The bill takes effect one year after enactment, with a provision allowing a delay if a state needs time to pass new laws to meet these updated requirements.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Tags Children

in committee · United States · House Jul 17, 2026

HR 9472: The Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act

This bill, known as the Protecting Homeowners from Squatters Act, aims to stop people from illegally occupying homes by defining squatting as entering a property and staying there for at least 10 to 14 days without the owner's permission or payment of rent. It directs local law enforcement to quickly remove squatters and prosecute them according to local laws while prohibiting the use of federal benefits to support or encourage such behavior. The legislation also ties federal housing funds to local compliance by withholding Community Development Block Grant money from jurisdictions that allow squatting or grant special tenant rights to squatters, and it bars federal mortgage support for loans secured by properties in those non-compliant areas.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Community Development Mortgages Tenant Rights

in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 8830: Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2026

This bill establishes a pilot program to help local governments in large urban areas create and share better maps that show the risk of urban flooding, which includes water damage from heavy rain and overwhelmed drainage systems. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will award grants to up to 12 cities and stormwater authorities to develop technology-based tools that provide specific flood risk assessments for individual buildings and incorporate climate trends. Funding is available for fiscal years 2027 through 2030, with grants covering up to 75% of project costs and prioritizing communities that are highly vulnerable to sea-level rise or have populations facing socioeconomic challenges. Recipients must complete their projects within 18 months and submit reports on their progress and lessons learned to the agency and Congress.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Environment ✓ Housing ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Coastal & Flood Protection Water Quality Homeownership

All housing bills