Housing for America’s Middle Class Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7504
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-13T14:41:15Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Housing for America's Middle Class Act of 2026 (H.R. 7504) aims to tackle housing affordability challenges for middle-class American families by directing the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—an independent agency that audits and evaluates government programs—to study the issue and recommend a standard definition for workforce housing (affordable housing for middle-income workers).
Key Provisions
- Congressional Findings: Recognizes that millions of middle-class families face housing shortages because they earn too much to qualify for many federal housing aids, forcing them away from jobs, schools, shopping, and healthcare.
- GAO Report Requirement: Within 180 days of enactment, the GAO Comptroller General must deliver a report to Congress covering:
- Affordability problems for middle-income homeowners and renters, including the most affected areas.
- Federal programs (e.g., tax credits, grants, loans) available to lower-income households but not middle-income ones.
- Gaps excluding middle-income families from federal affordability programs.
- Recommended income-based definition of "workforce housing" to help federal agencies include middle-income households.
- How this definition could support incentives for building workforce housing through federal policies.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- No direct changes to laws or programs; the bill solely mandates a study and report. It could inform future legislation but imposes no immediate requirements on housing programs.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: GAO must conduct the study; findings could prompt updates to housing programs by agencies like HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development).
- Citizens: Middle-income families (homeowners/renters earning above low-income thresholds) may gain access to more federal aids if recommendations lead to policy shifts, improving housing options near work and services.
- No international relations impact.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Middle-income households: Primary beneficiaries through potential expanded housing support.
- GAO and Congress: GAO performs the work; Congress receives and acts on the report.
- Federal housing agencies (e.g., those managing tax credits/grants): May adjust programs based on gaps identified.
- Housing developers: Could benefit from new incentives for workforce housing projects.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Straightforward mandate for a non-binding report; no enforcement mechanisms or new regulations.
- Constitutional: No issues; falls under Congress's spending and oversight powers.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan concern (introduced by Reps. Lawler and Gottheimer) for middle-class housing, potentially spurring broader affordability reforms without committing funds upfront. Referred to House Financial Services and Ways and Means Committees for review.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-11: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-11: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Housing for America’s Middle Class Act of 2026 — issued 2026-02-11 — PDF (3 pages)