Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 961: 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.

SB 961, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances for private residential properties after conducting housing supply assessments and establishing local rent agencies. 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 owner-occupied homes. The program prioritizes communities affected by recent federally declared disasters and requires annual reporting on program outcomes. This bill directly affects renters, landlords, and developers in localities that adopt rent control, while expanding state-level support for affordable housing construction and homebuying.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rent control for tenants, funds affordable housing via THDA grants, and provides down payment assistance - directly advancing housing access and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 1, 2025

SB 1323: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As introduced, deletes provision requiring Tennessee rural and workforce housing tax credits to be authorized by joint resolution of the general assembly. - Amends TCA Section 13-23-134 and Chapter 971 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 1323 removes a requirement that the Tennessee General Assembly must approve rural and workforce housing tax credits through a joint resolution. It directly affects the Tennessee Housing Development Agency, which will now administer these credits without needing separate legislative authorization. The bill deletes specific sections of state law (TCA 13-23-134 subsection (f) and Chapter 971 of 2024) but maintains the existing rule that at least 50% of credits must go to projects in eligible rural areas. This change streamlines the process for allocating tax credits toward affordable housing development, effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves legislative approval barrier for housing tax credits, streamlining access to funds for rural/workforce housing development per maintained 50% rural allocation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Property Development

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1327: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As introduced, deletes provision requiring Tennessee rural and workforce housing tax credits to be authorized by joint resolution of the general assembly. - Amends TCA Section 13-23-134 and Chapter 971 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 1327 removes a requirement that the Tennessee General Assembly must approve rural and workforce housing tax credits through a joint resolution. This change directly affects the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which administers these credits, by allowing it to manage the program without needing separate legislative authorization. The bill amends two specific sections of law to delete the existing authorization language while preserving the 2024 law's allocation rules (e.g., 50% of credits must go to rural projects). The key policy change is shifting the approval process from the legislature to the THDA's existing administrative authority. This takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves legislative approval hurdle for housing tax credits, enabling THDA to administer without joint resolution while preserving 2024 allocation rules, strengthening program continuity.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves legislative approval barrier for housing tax credits, enabling THDA to administer rural/workforce housing program efficiently while preserving 2024 allocation rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

Track

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

Track

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

Track

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

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 753: Taxes, Real Property - As enacted, establishes the process for property tax assessment and valuation of multi-unit rental housing that receives a federal, state, or local incentive based on low-income renter restrictions. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 13; Title 48; Title 49; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 753 establishes new rules for taxing multi-unit rental properties (4+ units) that receive federal, state, or local incentives tied to low-income renter restrictions. It requires property assessors to value these properties using specific methods, including adjusting market value based on rent ratios and excluding tax credits, while applying a capitalization rate 50-150 basis points above standard rates. Owners must notify assessors about restrictions by December 31 each year, or face tax penalties. The law takes effect for tax year 2026 and applies to properties developed on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ensures proper tax assessment for low-income housing properties by excluding tax credits and applying higher cap rates, increasing revenue collection and promoting fiscal responsibility for state budget.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes tax assessment rules for low-income rental properties, maintaining affordability through adjusted valuations and exclusion of tax credits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Affordable Housing Property Taxes Renters

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 396: Housing - As introduced, requires multi-family facilities, buildings, and structures constructed under a voluntary attainable housing incentive program to be deed-restricted to ensure that the attainable housing continues for at least 30 years, instead of in perpetuity. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3.

HB 396 would change Tennessee's housing law by shortening the required deed restriction period for affordable multi-family housing built under voluntary incentive programs. Instead of requiring affordability "in perpetuity," the bill would limit these restrictions to at least 30 years. This directly affects developers and property owners participating in the state's attainable housing incentive program. The bill failed in committee on February 19, 2025, and did not advance further. (Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3, Section 13-3-603(f).)

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingShortens deed restrictions from perpetuity to 30 years, weakening long-term affordability requirements for incentive program housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 8, 2025

HB 331: 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.

HB 331 amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-23-121 to increase the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) maximum bond issuance limit from $4 billion to $6 billion. This change directly enables THDA to issue more bonds for financing affordable housing loans, primarily benefiting low- and moderate-income Tennessee residents seeking below-market interest rate mortgages. The bill's key provision adjusts the statutory cap to address growing demand for these housing programs, which THDA has managed within the previous limit since 2008. The increase took effect on May 2, 2025, after receiving legislative and gubernatorial approval.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases THDA bond limit from $4B to $5B to fund affordable housing loans for low/moderate-income residents, directly advancing housing programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development