To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to eligible entities to select pre-reviewed designs of covered structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, and for other purposes.

Bill Number

H.R. 5907

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Housing and Community Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Last Updated

2026-06-11T23:26:31Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Accelerating Home Building Act (H.R. 5907) aims to speed up the development of affordable, mixed-income housing by authorizing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants. These grants help local governments and other eligible groups select pre-approved building designs (known as "pattern books") that comply with local standards, making it easier and faster to permit and build small-scale housing projects without funding the actual construction.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: HUD can award grants to eligible entities—such as local governments, municipal organizations, or Indian tribes—to choose and adopt pre-reviewed designs for "covered structures." These are small residential buildings (up to 25 units) like duplexes, townhouses, accessory dwelling units (extra units on existing properties), or infill developments (new housing on small, underused lots in established areas).
• Focus on Mixed-Income Housing: Designs must support "mixed-income housing," which includes units at different price levels to promote affordability across income groups. "Affordable housing" is defined as units where total housing costs (rent or mortgage) do not exceed 30% of income for households earning up to 80% of the local median income.
• Award Criteria: HUD prioritizes applications based on:
• Local need for affordable housing.
• Availability of "high opportunity areas" (neighborhoods with good access to jobs, schools, and services).
• Coordination with state agencies and transportation planners.
• Rural Set-Aside: At least 10% of grant funds each year must go to rural areas (places with populations under 50,000 outside cities or towns).
• Reporting and Accountability: Grant recipients must report to HUD on:
• How the program boosts affordable housing supply.
• Designs selected and their use.
• Number of building permits issued and housing units built using these designs.
• If designs aren't adopted within 5 years, recipients may have to repay the grant (with possible extensions).
• Public Sharing and Support: HUD must promote sharing of selected designs online, collect best practices, and post them on its website. Up to 5% of funds can go toward technical assistance for applicants and recipients.
• Funding: Authorizes "such sums as necessary" for the program, without specifying a dollar amount.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill introduces a new federal grant program under HUD, which does not previously exist in this form. It builds on existing housing laws like the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 by adding tools to streamline local permitting processes. Unlike traditional HUD programs that often fund construction directly, this one focuses solely on design selection to reduce bureaucratic delays, without altering core zoning or building codes.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: HUD gains new responsibilities for grant administration, reporting, and technical support, potentially increasing its workload but also enhancing its role in promoting efficient housing development. Local governments may see faster permitting, reducing administrative costs.
• On Citizens: Could increase the supply of affordable, mixed-income housing in diverse areas, including high-opportunity neighborhoods and rural communities, helping low- and moderate-income families access better living options. It may lower development timelines, indirectly reducing housing costs.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic housing policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Eligible Entities: Local governments, municipal membership organizations, and Indian tribes, who receive grants to adopt designs.
• Housing Developers and Builders: Benefit from pre-approved plans that speed up approvals for small projects like duplexes or townhouses.
• Low- and Moderate-Income Households: Gain potential access to more affordable units in mixed-income developments.
• Rural Communities: Explicitly prioritized with a funding set-aside, addressing housing shortages in smaller populations.
• State and Transportation Agencies: Involved in coordination for grant awards, influencing integrated planning.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill emphasizes voluntary adoption of designs, respecting local control over zoning and building standards without mandating changes. Repayment clauses ensure accountability but could create disputes if extensions are denied. It aligns with federal goals under existing housing laws to combat shortages without overriding state or local authority.
• Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; it uses Congress's spending power to incentivize housing initiatives, similar to other HUD programs, and includes tribal provisions that support sovereignty.
• Political: Promotes bipartisan housing affordability (introduced by members from both parties) by targeting delays in permitting, a common local issue. It could spark debates on federal involvement in local development but avoids controversial mandates, focusing on technical streamlining.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Bynum, Janelle S. [D-OR-5]

Cosponsors (10)

Rep. Steil, Bryan [R-WI-1], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Edwards, Chuck [R-NC-11], Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]

Recent Actions

• 2025-11-04: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House
• 2025-11-04: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to eligible entities to select pre-reviewed designs of covered structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, and for other purposes. — issued 2025-11-04 — PDF (6 pages)