HR 2064 establishes a federal grant program through HUD to provide up to $30,000 in assistance per household for first-time homebuyers purchasing qualifying homes. The program helps low-to-moderate income individuals (earning ≤120% of local median income, or 150% in high-cost areas) cover down payments, closing costs, or home modifications needed for occupancy. Recipients must live in the home as a primary residence for 5 years; failure to do so requires partial repayment proportional to non-occupancy. The bill authorizes $6.7 billion annually (2026-2030), reserves 3% for tribes, and excludes assistance from federal taxation.
HR 5105, the UNLOCK Act, amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to expand eligibility for federal housing funds. It allows metropolitan cities, urban counties, states, local governments, insular areas, and tribal entities to use Section 106 funds for constructing new residential housing for low- and moderate-income residents, with or without nonprofit partnerships. The key change adds a new funding category (paragraph 27) to existing housing programs, streamlining access to resources for affordable housing projects. This bill directly affects local governments and tribal entities seeking to build or support affordable housing without requiring mandatory nonprofit involvement.
The Housing Stability for Dreamers Act prevents federal housing programs from denying mortgage insurance or loans to individuals based on their DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) status. It amends key housing laws - including the National Housing Act, Rural Housing Service programs, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and VA loans - to prohibit eligibility restrictions tied to DACA status for single-family mortgages. The bill defines a "DACA recipient" as someone granted deferred action under the 2012 Department of Homeland Security memo. This directly affects DACA recipients seeking home loans through these federally backed programs, ensuring they cannot be denied based solely on immigration status.
The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 creates a federal grant program to fund training programs at community colleges and career schools focused on residential construction careers. It targets rural areas and underserved populations - including veterans, low-income individuals, and groups with historically low representation in construction - to develop skills in trades like carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and HVAC. Grants, totaling $20 million annually from 2026-2030, require flexible scheduling, partnerships with construction employers, and plans to increase affordable housing supply through workforce development. The bill directly affects community colleges in rural or underserved regions and their students seeking residential construction careers.
This bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to review Federal Housing Administration (FHA) construction financing programs for barriers preventing modular home developers from participating. The review will identify issues like payment timing during construction (draw schedules) and recommend changes to simplify access. Within one year, HUD must publish a report with these findings and potential policy adjustments. If changes are recommended, HUD would then propose a new payment schedule for modular home projects through a public comment process. The bill does not immediately change programs but sets a process to address existing obstacles for developers of modular homes.
HR 3459, the Empty Lots to Housing Act, allows local transportation agencies to transfer unused government-owned land (acquired with federal transportation funds) to develop affordable housing near transit. The bill requires that 40% of units built on this land must be affordable for households earning ≤60% of the area median income, with at least 20% reserved for those earning ≤30% of the median income. Transfers to third parties are permitted only if local entities can't take the land and the deal offers greater public benefit than government sale. This directly affects low- and moderate-income families by creating new affordable housing opportunities on previously underutilized public land.
The INCREASE Housing Affordability Act creates a new tax credit for converting commercial buildings (like offices) into residential housing. Property owners who convert eligible buildings can claim a tax credit equal to 15% of qualified conversion costs, with limits of $200,000 per residential unit or $10 million per building. The bill also provides bonus credits for projects with rent-restricted units for lower-income residents (10-20% more credit) and for paying prevailing wages (15% more credit). To qualify, buildings must have been nonresidential for at least 15 years and undergo substantial conversion (with expenditures exceeding adjusted basis or $15,000).
The Housing for All Veterans Act of 2025 creates a new federal rental assistance program specifically for veterans. It provides rental subsidies to "qualified veteran families" meeting income thresholds that gradually increase from 50% of area income limits in 2026 up to 100% of area median income by 2030. The bill prohibits landlords from refusing vouchers based on veteran status, excludes VA disability benefits from income calculations, and requires public housing agencies to refer eligible veterans to supported housing programs. It also authorizes permanent funding to cover all eligible applicants without reducing existing rental assistance programs.
HR 3977, the Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act, removes a ban preventing foster youth in college from receiving housing assistance. It allows the Secretary to waive income requirements for students who are in foster care (or were formerly in foster care), or are court-emancipated minors, while living in on-campus housing at eligible colleges. The bill ensures that housing assistance provided through this waiver does not count as income when determining eligibility for federal student aid, work-study programs, or other support like living allowances or child support calculations. This directly affects foster youth in higher education who face housing barriers, making campus housing more accessible without jeopardizing their other financial aid.
The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund training programs for residential construction careers at rural community colleges and similar institutions. It prioritizes serving rural communities and underserved populations - including low-income individuals, veterans, and groups with historically low construction industry employment - through competitive grants. Grantees must create or expand training in specific trades (like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work), form partnerships with construction businesses to ensure fair wages, and offer flexible scheduling and job placement support. The program authorizes $20 million annually from 2025 to 2029 to increase skilled construction workers and support affordable housing development.