Housing

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 129: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As enacted, increases, from $4 billion to $5 billion, the maximum aggregate principal amount for which the agency may issue bonds and notes at any one time. - Amends TCA Section 13-23-121.

SB 129 increases the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) maximum bond limit from $4 billion to $6 billion. This change allows THDA to issue more bonds to fund below-market interest rate loans for low- and moderate-income Tennesseans. The bill directly affects THDA's ability to provide housing assistance programs, addressing rising demand since 2008. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-23-121(a) to update the financial cap.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases THDA bond cap to $6B for below-market loans to low/moderate-income residents, directly funding affordable housing programs to address rising demand since 2008.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 670: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, decreases from 450 to 400 feet from the usual banks of a Class II or Class III scenic river, the maximum area within which development is limited. - Amends TCA Title 11.

HB 670 would reduce the buffer zone for development near Class II and Class III scenic rivers in Tennessee from 450 feet to 400 feet from the river banks. This change would directly affect property owners and developers in these areas by narrowing the area where construction or other development is restricted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 11, Section 11-13-108(a)(2), to update the distance limit for scenic river protections. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, but was withdrawn the following day.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentReduces scenic river buffer zone from 450 to 400 feet, weakening development restrictions and environmental protections near waterways.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill reduces scenic river buffer zones from 450 to 400 feet, allowing more development (including housing) in previously restricted areas. This facilitates housing development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 26, 2025

HB 652: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits local governments or planning commissions from requiring more than one means of ingress and egress into a proposed subdivision unless the proposed subdivision has at least 70 residential dwellings. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

HB 652 limits local governments' zoning authority for new residential subdivisions. It prohibits planning commissions, city councils, county legislatures, and municipal governing bodies from requiring more than one entrance or exit into a subdivision unless it contains at least 70 homes. This applies to all Tennessee subdivisions subject to local planning regulations and takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill directly affects developers and local governments by standardizing access requirements for smaller subdivisions.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingReduces local zoning barriers for subdivisions, enabling more housing development by standardizing access requirements, which supports increased housing supply and affordability.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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died · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 323: Real Property - As introduced, changes from a preponderance of the evidence to clear and convincing evidence the burden of proof for a debtor to prove that property sold at a foreclosure sale for an amount materially less than the fair market value in order to rebut the presumption that the foreclosure sale price of the property was equal to the fair market value at the time of sale. - Amends TCA Title 35.

HB 323 would change the standard of proof required for homeowners to challenge foreclosure sale prices in Tennessee. Currently, debtors only need to show the sale price was below fair market value by a "preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not). The bill would raise this standard to "clear and convincing evidence," making it harder for homeowners to rebut the legal presumption that foreclosure sale prices equal fair market value. This change would take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects homeowners seeking to contest foreclosure sales.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingRaises burden of proof for homeowners challenging foreclosure sales, making it harder to rebut unfair sale prices and weakening tenant protections in housing security cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 63: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As introduced, creates within the agency the Housing Opportunity and Pathways to Education (HOPE) pilot program to provide support to homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 9; Title 13 and Title 71, Chapter 5.

HB 63 creates Tennessee's HOPE pilot program to support homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. It requires the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to establish county-level facilities with health clinics, classrooms, and child-safe spaces, offering four staged support levels - from basic needs like ID assistance and emergency shelter to permanent housing with job training and educational support. The program partners with local nonprofits, streamlines ID documentation using facility addresses, and expires in 2030. It applies only to counties with 100,000-101,000 residents per the 2020 census.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates HOPE pilot program providing homeless families with housing support, job training, and health services through state agency and nonprofits, directly addressing homelessness and funding housing assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 955: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act"; allows local governments to adopt ordinances and resolutions to control rent for private residential rental units; creates the increased housing program and increased housing fund; authorizes the Tennessee housing development agency to make grants from the fund to eligible developers and first-time homebuyers to assist in gap financing and down payment assistance. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9; Title 12; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 67.

HB 955, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances (requiring a two-thirds legislative vote) to set maximum rents and fees for private residential properties, with specific requirements for local rent agencies and appeal processes. It creates the Increased Housing Program, administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which provides gap financing to developers building affordable housing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers for primary residences. The program prioritizes housing developments in areas affected by recent federal disasters and excludes participants from certain tax credits, with THDA required to report annually on program outcomes starting in 2026. This bill directly affects local governments, landlords, renters, developers, and first-time homebuyers by introducing new rent regulation mechanisms and state-funded housing support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Increased Housing Fund for affordable housing grants and down payment assistance, advancing government spending on housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rent control for tenant protection and establishes funding programs for affordable housing development and down payment assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 1271: Economic and Community Development - As enacted, clarifies that certain definitions concerning housing facilities and developments with regard to industrial development corporations include affordable and workforce housing; authorizes a municipality or county to approve amendments to an economic impact plan when approving the plan. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9, Chapter 21 and Title 9, Chapter 23.

SB 1271 clarifies that definitions for housing facilities under Tennessee's industrial development corporation laws explicitly include affordable and workforce housing. It modifies economic impact plan processes, allowing municipalities or counties to approve amendments to these plans without requiring additional public hearings. The bill directly affects local governments, industrial development corporations, and housing developers by streamlining plan modifications for projects involving affordable/workforce housing. Key provisions update three code sections to include these housing types in definitions and simplify administrative approvals for economic development plans. The changes aim to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for housing projects while maintaining existing regulatory frameworks.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExplicitly includes affordable/workforce housing in definitions and streamlines development approvals, advancing housing accessibility under industrial development laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 735: Planning, Public - As enacted, specifies that the vesting period established for a construction project or development plan does not expire because of pending litigation challenging a permit; specifies that the vesting period is tolled while such litigation is pending. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3; Title 13, Chapter 4 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

HB 735 amends Tennessee law to prevent a development project's "vesting period" (the timeframe during which approved permits remain valid) from expiring while a lawsuit challenges the permit. This affects developers and property owners whose permits face legal challenges, as it stops the vesting period from counting down during litigation. The bill requires that the vesting period be "tolled" (paused) for the duration of any pending court case about the permit. It applies to permits under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 13-3-413 and 13-4-310, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents permit expiration during litigation, reducing delays for housing development projects and enabling faster construction of housing units.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1134: Housing - As enacted, requires certain property, projects, and joint ventures to meet certain requirements if a legislative body of a county or municipality adopts by resolution or ordinance an affordable housing program. - Amends TCA Title 47 and Title 67.

This bill requires disabled veterans to provide documentation of their military service and disability to qualify for a property tax exemption. It directly affects disabled veterans in Tennessee seeking this exemption. The legislation amends Tennessee law to add this documentation requirement as a condition for eligibility. The exemption itself remains unchanged, but applicants must now submit proof of service and disability to claim it.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill sets requirements for properties in affordable housing programs, supporting implementation of such programs.90% confidence ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransAdds documentation requirement for disabled veterans' property tax exemption, creating barrier to access existing benefit.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Taxes Veteran Housing

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 242: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act"; prohibits certain business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in certain counties in this state for purposes of renting the purchased properties; establishes a state and private cause of action and establishes damages for violations. - Amends TCA Title 13; Title 47 and Title 66.

SB 242, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities (including hedge funds and large property companies) from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in qualifying Tennessee counties (those with over 150,000 residents per the 2020 census) for rental purposes. The bill creates a legal cause of action for the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators, with penalties up to $100 per day per home and potential damages. It directly affects large-scale property investors operating in high-population counties, aiming to preserve homeownership opportunities by limiting bulk rentals. The law does not apply to homes purchased for personal residence or to governmental entities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits large entities from buying >100 homes for rent in qualifying counties, protecting tenants and preventing market monopolization that drives up costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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