Housing (Affordable Housing)

in committee · United States · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 8171: FAST Housing Act

This bill establishes a demonstration program that provides up to 15 competitive grants to local governments and public housing agencies to help develop workforce and affordable housing in areas where the workforce is expanding. To receive funding, recipients must submit applications that outline existing and proposed zoning reforms, such as upzoning, expedited permitting, and removal of parking minimums, along with implementation timelines. The grants can be used for converting commercial spaces to housing, developing new units, providing technical assistance, and acquiring properties, with at least 30 percent of created units required to be affordable housing. The program prioritizes jurisdictions that have already reduced regulatory barriers and aims to include urban, suburban, and rural areas, while requiring a study to evaluate the program's effectiveness on housing timelines and production.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides competitive grants to develop workforce and affordable housing, requiring zoning reforms to expand housing supply.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Zoning

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 3968: Housing for America’s Middle Class Act of 2026

This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on workforce housing within one year of enactment. The study will identify barriers middle-income households face in securing affordable housing, pinpoint areas with the highest unaffordability, and list federal programs currently unavailable to this group due to income limits. The GAO will also propose a clear federal definition for workforce housing and analyze how to modify or create new housing programs to include this category. The bill defines middle-income households as those earning between 80 and 120 percent of the median family income in their area.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs GAO to study workforce housing barriers and propose federal definition, aiming to improve access for middle-income households.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Zoning

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 5, 2026

S 4020: Housing Supply and Affordability Act

This bill, known as the Housing Supply and Affordability Act, creates a federal grant program to help states, cities, counties, and regional planning agencies develop and implement plans to increase housing supply and affordability. The program provides competitive grants that can be used for activities such as updating zoning codes, improving housing strategies, reducing development barriers, and coordinating with transportation agencies, but cannot be used for construction or repairs. Local governments receiving funds must limit administrative costs to no more than 10 percent of the grant amount and must coordinate with federal transit authorities where possible. The authority to award these grants is limited to a five-year period, after which the program will end.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes federal grant program to fund housing supply and affordability planning, advancing state budget initiatives for essential services75% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates federal grant program to increase housing supply and affordability, directly supporting housing development and affordability goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Land Use Zoning

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 3969: Improving Housing Access Act

This bill directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on ways to improve housing options for elderly and disabled individuals. The study will examine potential barriers to housing access and analyze the effects of providing capital advances to two specific federal housing programs: the Section 202 program for elderly supportive housing and the Section 811 program for disabled persons. The report must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and will focus on identifying practical solutions rather than implementing new policies.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs study to identify options to remove barriers and improve housing for elderly and disabled persons, indicating intent to strengthen housing access for vulnerable populations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance Tags People with Disabilities Seniors

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in committee · United States · House Mar 4, 2026

HR 7791: To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to prioritize the award of certain housing grants to applicants located in, or serving, low-income communities.

This bill directs the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to give extra priority when awarding certain housing construction and renovation grants to projects in or benefiting low-income opportunity zones. It allows HUD officials to consider an applicant's location in a qualified opportunity zone as a positive factor during the competitive grant selection process. The legislation applies to grants related to building, modifying, or preserving housing and would affect developers and organizations seeking federal housing funding in designated areas. By giving additional weight to these projects, the bill aims to channel more federal housing resources toward communities identified as opportunity zones under existing tax law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directs HUD to prioritize grants for housing projects in low-income communities, directly funding and strengthening affordable housing initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 2, 2026

S 3962: Housing and Economic Development Act

This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Economic Development Administration to create an agreement to better coordinate their joint housing and economic development projects. The agreement would streamline application processes, standardize language in funding notices, reduce duplicate reporting requirements, and establish clear contact points for applicants. Additionally, the two agencies must share research and market data to support evidence-based decision-making. Within one year of enactment, the agencies must submit a report to Congress with recommendations for further improving their collaboration and removing barriers to joint projects.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill improves interagency coordination between HUD and EDA to streamline housing and economic development processes, enhancing housing program efficiency.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Housing Finance Tags Economic Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 4080: Rental Housing Investment Act

This bill, titled the Rental Housing Investment Act, would allow property owners to claim an immediate tax deduction for long-term residential rental buildings they place in service after enactment. The measure directly affects taxpayers who own or develop rental housing with at least two dwelling units, enabling them to deduct up to 100% of the building's value in the first year rather than spreading deductions over multiple years. Owners of affordable housing projects that meet specific requirements would receive an increased deduction limit of $250,000 per unit instead of the standard $150,000. The bill includes rules requiring properties to remain in rental use for 10 years to retain the full deduction, with a 15-year requirement for affordable housing, and prohibits revoking the election once made.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax deductions for rental housing investment, promoting economic development and affordable housing through tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill provides tax incentives for long-term residential rental housing development, directly supporting housing investment and expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Landlords Renters

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 3, 2026

S 3970: Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act

This bill, known as the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act, would exempt certain federal housing assistance programs from the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements when used to build or modify homes on infill sites. It directly affects rural communities and housing agencies that currently must complete environmental reviews before approving construction projects on existing developed land. The exemption applies specifically to assistance under the Housing Act of 1949 and defines infill sites as locations with access to existing water, sewer, and road infrastructure, while excluding greenfield sites and areas at high risk for wildfires or flooding. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of Agriculture to submit a report to Congress within five years evaluating whether the exemption reduced review times and administrative costs, and to assess its impact on affordable housing in rural America.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill exempts housing projects from NEPA environmental review requirements, weakening environmental protections and oversight for construction projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes regulatory barriers (NEPA requirements) for rural housing construction on infill sites, facilitating affordable housing development and reducing administrative burdens for housing agencies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Community Development Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7753: First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026

This bill, known as the First Look for First-time Homebuyers Act of 2026, requires federal housing agencies and mortgage corporations to give first-time homebuyers priority access to foreclosed single-family homes for a 15-day period after they are listed for sale. During this window, properties must be priced based on independent appraisals or disclosed valuation models, listed on public websites with clear eligibility information, and cannot be bundled with other properties. The legislation also mandates regular reporting to Congress on sales data and requires internal audits to ensure compliance with these new requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens first-time homebuyer protections by requiring priority access to foreclosed homes, ensuring fair pricing, and preventing bundling, directly advancing affordable housing access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Mortgages

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 14, 2025

S 1083: Land Manager Housing and Workforce Improvement Act of 2025

This bill would improve housing options for employees of federal land management agencies by expanding their authorities to develop housing near work sites. It allows agencies like the National Park Service and Forest Service to acquire land, build housing, and leverage rental income for housing programs. The bill also creates new recruitment pathways for workers who live near their job sites and requires agencies to report on housing needs and assess current housing policies. These changes aim to address workforce housing challenges that have made it difficult to recruit and retain employees at national parks and other public lands.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill enables federal agencies to develop housing near work sites, expanding housing options for employees and creating new housing programs through land acquisition and rental income.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill improves housing options for federal land management workers, creates recruitment pathways near job sites, and requires housing need assessments - directly addressing employment conditions and workforce retention.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing

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