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).
HR 6327, the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act, exempts certain rural housing projects from requiring environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). It applies specifically to construction or modifications on "infill sites" (defined as sites with existing water, sewer, and road infrastructure, excluding greenfield areas or high-risk flood/fire zones) using USDA housing programs like Section 502 or 515. The bill removes the need for NEPA reviews for these projects, aiming to speed up housing development. It also requires the USDA Secretary to report to Congress within five years on whether the exemption reduced review times, costs, and impacts on rural affordable housing. This change directly affects rural housing providers and applicants under the specified USDA programs.
This bill modifies tax incentives to increase affordable housing near military installations. It excludes military housing allowances (payments under 37 U.S.C. § 403) from income calculations when determining eligibility for low-income housing tax credits, directly helping service members and their families qualify for affordable housing. It also designates buildings within 15 miles of large military installations (valued over $2.833 billion) as "difficult development areas" for tax credit purposes, encouraging developers to build in these areas. The bill does not require such housing to be occupied solely by military members. These changes apply to tax credit determinations made after the bill's enactment.
HR 2410 creates a 20% federal tax credit for developers converting older non-residential buildings (at least 20 years old) into affordable housing. The credit applies to qualified conversion costs, requiring that 20% of units be rent-restricted for residents earning 80% or less of the area median income for 30 years. It establishes a $12 billion national credit limit, with $3 billion reserved for conversions in economically distressed areas, and mandates state-level allocation plans prioritizing projects near transit and employment. The bill directly affects developers seeking tax incentives for downtown revitalization, not tenants or local governments.
HR 1133, the Repeal Community Development Block Grants Act of 2025, would eliminate the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program by repealing key sections of the 1974 Housing and Community Development Act. This bill directly affects local governments and community organizations that currently receive CDBG funds for projects like affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and economic development. The repeal would end all CDBG funding starting October 1, 2025, removing this specific federal funding stream. The bill does not create new programs or alter other housing assistance; it solely targets the repeal of the existing CDBG authority.
The Liberty City Rising Act requires federal housing agencies to implement new safety standards for public and assisted housing in neighborhoods designated as high-crime areas. It defines "high-crime areas" using recent violent crime data and mandates that housing agencies establish security measures (like cameras, locks, and lighting) tailored to each property’s needs, plus provide anonymous hotlines for tenants to report crime. The bill also directs HUD to prioritize funding for safety upgrades in these areas through the Capital Fund. Agencies must make initial high-crime area determinations within 90 days of enactment and establish full safety standards within one year. These changes directly affect public housing agencies and property owners receiving federal housing assistance in designated high-crime neighborhoods.
The UNLOCK Housing Act (S 3169) updates federal housing law to expand eligibility for existing funding. It allows metropolitan cities, counties, states, local governments, insular areas, and tribes receiving Section 106 housing funds to build new residential housing for low- and moderate-income people. This change applies directly to jurisdictions already managing federal housing assistance programs. The bill adds this specific housing type as an approved use of funds, without requiring nonprofit partnerships, making it easier to develop affordable housing options.
HR 2494 requires the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to annually submit a report to Congress analyzing state and local strategies for promoting affordable housing. The bill directs HUD to use data from the existing regulatory barriers clearinghouse - which tracks state/local housing policies - to assess which approaches are working. The report must include an analysis of these strategies and specific policy recommendations Congress could use to support effective state and local efforts. This directly affects states and local governments by requiring them to provide data for the analysis, while Congress receives actionable insights to inform federal housing policy. The bill focuses on gathering and sharing existing state-level solutions rather than creating new federal mandates.
HR 1609 would nullify two specific U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules requiring local governments to address housing discrimination in zoning decisions. It also prohibits using federal funds for databases tracking racial disparities in housing access or affordable housing availability. The bill mandates that HUD consult with state and local officials before creating new fair housing regulations, requiring consensus among these groups for any proposed rules. This directly affects local zoning authorities, HUD, and public housing agencies by removing federal requirements related to fair housing enforcement.
This bill increases tax credits for affordable housing developers who improve energy efficiency in existing buildings. It adds a 30% credit boost (to 130% of rehabilitation costs) for buildings meeting specific energy standards, either by adopting a government-determined advanced construction standard or using a certified retrofit plan that reduces energy use by 50% or more. Buildings in high-cost areas qualify for an additional 30% boost (to 160% of costs) if they meet these standards. The changes apply to housing credit allocations after December 31, 2025, with specific rules for bond-financed projects.
