Community Housing Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9540
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-30: 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
- 2026-07-07T05:08:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation, titled the Community Housing Act of 2026, seeks to address the national housing crisis by increasing funding for affordable housing production and preservation, promoting models that ensure long-term affordability, reforming local zoning and land use rules to reduce barriers, supporting rural renters and homeowners, and creating new financing options for homeownership and development.
Key Provisions
- Title I – Investments in Housing Supply: Provides large appropriations to the Housing Trust Fund ($44.5 billion annually for 10 years), Capital Magnet Fund ($1.5 billion annually), and HOME Investment Partnerships Program ($24.85 billion in 2027). It creates the Unlocking Possibilities Program for competitive grants to states and localities for housing planning, zoning reform, and community development. It also establishes a new HUD Office of Community Land Use and Zoning.
- Title II – Rental Support and Perpetual Affordability: Funds eviction protection grants, shared equity housing models (including community land trusts), downpayment assistance for rural areas and Housing Choice Voucher holders, a report on taxing secondary homes, a new Shared Equity Housing Fund, and modernization of historic tax credits to allow more residential conversions.
- Title III – Low-Cost Financing: Increases Federal Home Loan Bank contributions to affordable housing, continues the FHA-Federal Financing Bank partnership for multifamily loans, and directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency to allow Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to purchase certain construction loans.
- Title IV – Rural Housing: Permanently establishes the Housing Preservation and Revitalization Program with options to decouple rental assistance, creates an interagency task force on substance use treatment and housing, and provides additional funding for rural rental housing loans.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Raises the GSE basis point fee from 4.2 to 10 points to generate more revenue for housing funds.
- Repeals the Faircloth Amendment, removing the cap on new public housing units.
- Creates permanent authority for restructuring rural multifamily loans and extending rental assistance contracts up to 20 years.
- Establishes new grant programs and a dedicated HUD office focused on zoning reform.
- Modifies standards for historic tax credit rehabilitation to facilitate upper-floor residential use.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Significantly expands responsibilities and funding for HUD, the Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency, requiring new administrative capacity and coordination.
- Citizens: Increases availability of affordable rental and ownership options, particularly for low- and moderate-income households, rural residents, and those facing eviction risk; may reduce housing cost burdens and improve access in high-cost areas.
- State and local governments: Provides grants for planning and implementation but requires compliance with new affordability and fair housing standards; zoning reforms could alter local land-use authority.
- No direct effects on international relations are specified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal agencies (HUD, USDA Rural Housing Service, Treasury, FHFA).
- State and local housing finance agencies and governments.
- Nonprofit organizations, community land trusts, and developers.
- Low- and moderate-income renters and prospective homeowners, especially in rural areas.
- Public housing authorities and tenants in federally assisted housing.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- The bill includes a severability clause to preserve remaining provisions if any part is found unconstitutional.
- Waivers are authorized for certain program rules (excluding fair housing and labor standards) to speed implementation.
- Repeal of the Faircloth limit and new zoning incentives represent shifts in federal policy on housing supply and local control.
- Large-scale appropriations over multiple years could affect federal budgeting and require ongoing congressional oversight.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large]
Cosponsors (13)
Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Mullin, Kevin [D-CA-15], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-30: 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.
- 2026-06-30: 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.
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Community Housing Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-30 — PDF (41 pages)