Housing in United States

in committee · United States · House Sep 26, 2025

HR 5601: Faith in Housing Act of 2025

The Faith in Housing Act of 2025 allows houses of worship (churches or religious associations exempt from taxes under IRS Code 501(a)) to build or rehabilitate affordable housing on their eligible land, overriding local zoning rules that previously blocked such projects. It defines "affordable housing" as units meeting specific affordability thresholds (e.g., 140% of area median income, 30-year affordability commitments) and requires compliance with building codes and the Fair Housing Act. The bill preempts state/local laws conflicting with this authority but permits reasonable safety inspections and exempts rules targeting site-specific hazards like floods. It applies only to land owned by houses of worship for at least five years (or owned before January 2023), with the organization needing to notify local authorities in writing to activate the provision.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Zoning

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 31, 2025

S 2616: A bill to amend the Act of October 19, 1973, to increase the maximum dollar amount of per capita shares for purposes of eligibility for financial assistance or other benefits under Federal or federally assisted programs, and for other purposes.

This bill (S 2616) increases the asset limit used to determine eligibility for federal benefits under certain programs from $2,000 to $5,000. It directly affects Native American individuals and tribes who qualify for federal assistance programs like healthcare, housing, or social services through the Indian Health Service or tribal grants. The key change amends Section 7 of the 1973 Act (25 U.S.C. 1407) to raise the maximum allowable per capita share of resources. This adjustment makes it easier for more tribal members to qualify for these benefits without losing eligibility due to higher asset thresholds.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Tags Tribal Nations

in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1621: Restoring Fair Housing Protections Eliminated by Trump Act of 2025

This bill (S 1621) reverses recent actions that weakened fair housing enforcement by requiring the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to repeal a March 2025 rule that eliminated mandatory fair housing compliance reviews. It mandates HUD to define "affirmatively furthering fair housing" to include actively addressing segregation and disparities, extending this duty to all housing programs. The bill also creates a public, quarterly-updated database tracking all fair housing complaints by protected class, type of housing, and resolution status, and requires a report on discrimination risks in digital housing platforms like rental apps and AI-driven mortgage tools. It directly affects HUD, fair housing enforcement agencies, and individuals experiencing housing discrimination based on protected characteristics.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Mortgages Property Development

in committee · United States · House Nov 17, 2025

HR 5997: Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2025

HR 5997, the Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2025, increases annual funding for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing to $420 million starting in fiscal year 2027. The bill modifies several existing programs by removing outdated funding periods and specific subsections, streamlining administration of veteran services. It directly affects veterans with special needs who qualify for housing support under these amended programs. The key policy change is the guaranteed, multi-year funding increase for housing assistance programs, replacing previous time-limited allocations. This focuses on maintaining stable housing for vulnerable veteran families through sustained financial support.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Veteran Benefits Veteran Housing Veteran Mental Health

in committee · United States · House Feb 27, 2025

HR 1696: Puerto Rico Low-Income Housing Support Act

This bill amends federal housing law to apply the same poverty standards used in the contiguous U.S. to Puerto Rico, ending a previous distinction that treated Puerto Rico differently for housing assistance eligibility. It requires a report from the Comptroller General assessing how HUD and Puerto Rico's housing agency identify needs for extremely low-income families, use disaster recovery funds for housing after events like hurricanes, and improve program effectiveness. The report will evaluate efforts to connect low-income families in Puerto Rico with housing assistance and affordable units under existing federal programs. This directly affects extremely low-income families in Puerto Rico by standardizing eligibility rules and mandating a review of current housing support. Key mechanisms include revising poverty guidelines in the Housing Act and establishing a formal assessment of housing program performance.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2025

S 2148: End Junk Fees for Renters Act

S 2148, the "End Junk Fees for Renters Act," bans specific fees landlords can charge renters in properties with federal mortgage backing (such as FHA, VA, or USDA loans). It prohibits application fees and tenant screening fees, caps late rent fees at 3% of monthly rent after a 15-day grace period, and requires landlords to disclose total monthly costs, past tenant litigation, and rent history upfront. The bill applies directly to renters in "covered dwelling units" (properties tied to federal housing programs) and mandates regulators like HUD to enforce these rules. It also requires landlords to detail all fees and property issues before lease signing.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

in committee · United States · House Nov 19, 2025

HR 6132: Housing Affordability Act

HR 6132, the Housing Affordability Act, updates inflation-adjusted dollar limits for multifamily housing loans under the National Housing Act. It increases specific loan caps (e.g., raising the maximum for certain units from $38,025 to $167,310) using the Bureau of the Census' Price Deflator Index for multifamily construction, with adjustments calculated annually based on March-to-March data. These changes directly affect lenders and borrowers participating in federally backed multifamily housing programs by setting new maximum loan amounts. The bill makes technical adjustments to existing limits without creating new programs or altering eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Mortgages

in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2025

HRES 602: Recognizing the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen and expand opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate in work and community life.

HRES 602 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the role of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in enabling independent living and economic self-sufficiency for people with disabilities. It does not create new laws but calls on specific federal agencies to take action, including the Department of Labor to boost employment opportunities, the Federal Communications Commission to improve accessible technology, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development to expand inclusive housing. The resolution highlights ongoing challenges like high poverty rates (nearly 25% of people with disabilities living below the poverty line) and inaccessible workplaces, urging bipartisan efforts to address these barriers. It directly affects individuals with disabilities by advocating for systemic changes in employment, healthcare access, and community integration.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Property Development Tags People with Disabilities

in committee · United States · House Sep 11, 2025

HR 5340: To prohibit the disclosure of records by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of individuals for the purposes of immigration enforcement, and for other purposes.

HR 5340 prohibits the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and public housing agencies from sharing tenant records with immigration authorities for immigration enforcement purposes. It directly affects all HUD housing program participants (including renters and applicants, regardless of immigration status) by requiring HUD to obtain written consent or a language-proficient request from the individual before disclosing their records. Key provisions include banning disclosure without consent, preventing HUD from forcing public housing agencies to share records, and mandating a 90-day compliance report to Congress detailing record security and past sharing practices. The bill aims to protect housing privacy by ensuring immigration enforcement cannot access sensitive tenant information held by HUD without explicit individual authorization.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Immigration ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Property Development Tenant Rights Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

in committee · United States · House Mar 11, 2025

HR 2031: HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025

The HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act of 2025 reauthorizes the HOME program through fiscal year 2029 with annual funding increasing from $5 billion in 2025 to over $6 billion in 2029. The bill makes several key changes including increasing administrative resources from 10% to 15% of funds, eliminating a commitment deadline for using funds, and creating new provisions for small-scale housing (up to 4 rental units) to qualify as affordable housing. It also establishes a new home loan guarantee program with a $2 billion cap for fiscal year 2025, designed to help finance affordable housing development and preservation. These changes directly affect state and local governments administering the HOME program, as well as developers and residents of affordable housing properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Homeownership Housing Finance

All housing bills