Housing (Homeownership)

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2025

S 978: HELPER Act of 2025

The HELPER Act of 2025 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program specifically for first responders and teachers, allowing them to purchase homes with no down payment. It defines "first responders" as full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and K-12 teachers employed by government or accredited schools. The program requires applicants to be first-time homebuyers with 4 years of recent employment in their field, complete housing counseling, and intend to remain in their role for at least one year after closing. Mortgages under this program must be used for a primary residence, cover 100% of the home's appraised value, and exclude monthly insurance premiums.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly includes K-12 teachers in its FHA mortgage program, directly supporting educators through housing benefits as part of their employment support.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates FHA program enabling no-down-payment home purchases for first responders/teachers, directly increasing affordable housing access for targeted groups.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers Homeownership Mortgages Property Development

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 24, 2025

S 686: The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2025

The Farmhouse-to-Workforce Housing Act of 2025 establishes a program to fund accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on existing single-family homes that are at least 25 years old. It provides grants and loans covering up to 50% of an ADU’s cost, with a maximum of $100,000 (adjusted annually for inflation), for homeowners earning no more than 150% of the area median income. Homeowners must reside in the main house or an ADU, maintain ownership, and lease ADUs for at least six months, with these requirements lasting for five years or until the owner’s death. The program is funded with $200 million to support workforce housing access through modifications to existing housing preservation grants.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds ADUs for affordable housing via grants/loans targeting homeowners at 150% AMI, increasing housing supply and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Zoning

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 23, 2025

S 2414: Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025

S 2414, the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, updates federal rules for manufactured homes by requiring states to treat homes without permanent chassis equally to those with chassis under state laws. States must certify this parity within 1-2 years of the bill’s enactment, covering areas like financing, insurance, and installation. States that miss deadlines face prohibitions on selling or installing "covered" manufactured homes (built after enactment without a permanent chassis). The bill directly affects states (through their regulations), manufactured home manufacturers, sellers, and buyers by standardizing how these homes are regulated nationwide.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill expands housing supply by removing regulatory barriers for affordable manufactured homes, requiring equal treatment under state laws for financing and installation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 11, 2025

S 934: American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025

The American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2025 aims to increase housing affordability and accessibility through multiple provisions. It expands Fair Housing protections to include gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, source of income, and veteran status, making discrimination based on these characteristics illegal. The bill includes significant funding mechanisms for affordable housing infrastructure and requires twice as many accessible dwelling units in housing assisted under the Act. It also makes substantial changes to estate tax rules, including higher tax rates for large estates and elimination of certain exemptions. These provisions collectively seek to reduce housing discrimination, increase access to affordable housing, and generate revenue for housing programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates significant funding for affordable housing infrastructure, directly advancing state budget priorities for public services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands Fair Housing protections to include gender identity, income, and veteran status; includes significant funding for affordable housing infrastructure and mandates more accessible units.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veteran status in Fair Housing protections, preventing housing discrimination against veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 27, 2025

S 788: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to impose an excise tax on the failure of certain hedge funds owning excess single-family residences to dispose of such residences, and for other purposes.

S 788, the HOPE for Homeownership Act, targets hedge funds with $50 million or more in assets under management that own single-family residences. It imposes two taxes: a 15% or $10,000 tax on acquiring new homes, and an annual tax of $5,000 per excess home held beyond a phased ownership limit (starting at 90% of prior holdings and declining to 0% after 9 years). The bill also disallows mortgage interest and depreciation deductions for properties owned by these funds when they owe the tax. This directly affects large hedge funds owning multiple single-family homes, requiring them to reduce holdings over time or pay ongoing taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes new taxes on hedge funds for holding excess homes and disallows tax deductions, closing a loophole to promote fiscal responsibility.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill forces hedge funds to sell excess single-family homes via taxes, increasing housing supply and potentially affordability by reducing owner-occupancy by institutional investors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Homeownership Housing Finance Mortgages

Track

in committee · United States · House Feb 4, 2026

HR 7344: Affordable Housing Supply Chain Clarity Act

HR 7344, the Affordable Housing Supply Chain Clarity Act, requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to clarify how "Build America, Buy America" rules apply to the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOPA), which funds affordable housing development. Specifically, HUD must complete a review within 180 days of enactment, issue updated guidance within 90 days of the review, and submit a report to Congress within 270 days. This bill directly affects housing developers and local governments receiving HOPA funds by providing clearer rules for sourcing materials and labor under existing federal requirements. It does not change funding or create new housing but aims to reduce confusion in applying current procurement rules to affordable housing projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingClarifies HUD guidance for HOPA program, enabling more efficient use of affordable housing funds by removing regulatory barriers for developers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · United States · House Nov 10, 2025

HR 6008: Bring Down Housing Costs Act

The Bring Down Housing Costs Act establishes a federal task force under the Department of Housing and Urban Development to address rising home prices in specific states. The task force, composed of 21 members including congressional representatives, federal agency officials, community advocates, and housing industry experts, will identify states with year-over-year increases in median home prices (using HUD data), develop and recommend best practices for reducing costs, and monitor their implementation. It must submit annual reports to state governors, federal agencies, and relevant congressional committees for five years. This bill creates a process for collaborative problem-solving but does not mandate specific policy changes or funding for states.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes task force to reduce housing costs via best practices, directly advancing affordable housing goals as stated in title and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · United States · House Dec 9, 2025

HR 6542: First Home Savings Opportunity Act of 2025

This bill creates a new tax deduction for first-time homebuyers who save for down payments in specially designated accounts. It allows a deduction of up to $10,000 ($20,000 for joint filers) for cash contributions to these accounts, with the deduction phasing out for single filers earning over $150,000 or joint filers over $236,000. Contributions must be used exclusively for down payments or closing costs on a first home, and withdrawals not used for this purpose incur a 20% tax penalty. The deduction applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction for first-time homebuyers, providing relief to middle-income earners through targeted tax benefit.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates tax deduction for first-time homebuyers to save for down payments, directly advancing affordable housing access through financial incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership

Track

in committee · United States · House Oct 31, 2025

HR 5878: HOME Reform Act of 2025

The HOME Reform Act of 2025 updates the HOME Investment Partnerships program by changing eligibility criteria for affordable housing assistance. It replaces "low-income" with a specific definition requiring household income not to exceed 100% of the area median family income, and creates a new definition for "infill housing projects" that must be on previously disturbed land within developed areas. The bill allows funds to be used for infrastructure improvements like water and sewer lines adjacent to affordable housing, and streamlines environmental reviews for certain housing projects to reduce bureaucratic delays. These changes affect local governments and housing organizations administering the HOME program, making it easier to develop affordable housing in existing neighborhoods.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands affordable housing eligibility to 100% AMFI (up from lower thresholds) and promotes infill development on previously disturbed land, increasing access to HOME funds for housing projects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

Track

in committee · United States · House Jan 13, 2026

HR 6720: FARM Home Loans Act of 2025

This bill amends the Farm Credit Act to expand rural home loan eligibility. It adds "accessory dwelling units" (like guest houses or converted garages) to the definition of qualifying property features and increases the maximum property size for loans from 2,500 to 10,000 square feet. These changes directly affect rural homebuyers and lenders by allowing more property types and larger homes to qualify for Farm Credit loans. The policy change specifically modifies existing loan criteria without altering funding levels or creating new programs.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExpands rural home loan eligibility by including accessory dwelling units and increasing property size limits, directly supporting housing development access for rural homebuyers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Mortgages Tags Agriculture Rural Communities

Track