Yes in God's Backyard Act

Bill Number: S. 2720
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Housing and Community Development
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
Last Updated: 2026-02-18T17:17:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The "Yes in God's Backyard Act" aims to expand the supply of affordable rental housing by providing technical assistance and grants to faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education (colleges and universities), and local governments. It focuses on using underutilized properties owned by these groups to develop or preserve housing that low- and moderate-income households can afford, addressing barriers like local zoning rules and lack of expertise.

Key Provisions

The bill amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act by adding a new subtitle (Subtitle G) with two main sections:

Definitions (Section 290):
Affordable rental housing: Rental units where monthly rent is no more than 30% of a household's income, targeted at "covered households" (those earning up to 100% of the area median income, or AMI—a measure of typical income in a region).
Other terms include "at risk of homelessness" (from existing federal law), "extremely low-income families" (households earning below 30% of AMI), "faith-based organization" (nonprofits with religious ties, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, or HUD), and "institution of higher education" (from federal education law).

Technical Assistance Program (Section 291):
HUD must create a program offering free resources and guidance to help faith-based organizations, colleges/universities, and local governments develop or maintain affordable housing on their properties.
Resources cover: converting unused land into housing (e.g., for low-income families, homeless individuals including veterans, people with disabilities, intergenerational families, or those in high-opportunity areas like good school districts); federal funding options; best practices for partnerships, land use, and barrier removal; and state/local policy tips.
HUD consults with the White House Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and agencies like Agriculture, Treasury, and Health and Human Services.
All materials must be publicly available online.
Funding: $25 million authorized for fiscal year 2026, and $10 million annually for 2027–2031.

Challenge Grant Program (Section 292):
Competitive grants to states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations (regional planning bodies), or multi-jurisdiction groups that already have policies to reduce barriers to affordable housing on faith-based or educational properties.
Applicants must submit plans, get public input, and address feedback.
Preferences for projects targeting housing for very low-income families (below 60% AMI), extremely low-income groups, homeless/at-risk individuals (including veterans), people with disabilities, intergenerational families, or other special needs.
Grant uses include: reviewing and changing local rules to ease development; outreach and training for partners; sub-grants or loans to specific housing projects; and other related activities.
Grantees must report progress to HUD for evaluation.
Funding: $50 million authorized annually for fiscal years 2026–2031, with up to 10% for HUD administration.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Adds a dedicated subtitle to the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (a 1990 law that funds community housing programs), specifically targeting properties owned by faith-based organizations and colleges/universities—groups not previously emphasized in this way.
Introduces new federal incentives for local policies that encourage such development, building on but expanding existing affordable housing programs under HUD.
References and integrates terms from related laws like the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (for homelessness definitions) and the LEGACY Act of 2003 (for intergenerational housing), creating links without major overhauls.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: HUD gains new responsibilities for program administration, consultation, and grant oversight, requiring staff and resources; other agencies (e.g., Agriculture for rural housing) may provide input, potentially streamlining inter-agency coordination.
Citizens: Could increase affordable housing options in underserved areas, benefiting low-income renters (up to 100% AMI), homeless individuals, veterans, people with disabilities, and families—potentially reducing homelessness and improving access to stable housing in desirable neighborhoods.
International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. housing policy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Faith-based organizations: Gain technical help and funding access to repurpose properties for housing, potentially aligning community service with housing needs.
Institutions of higher education: Can convert excess campus or owned land into affordable units, addressing student/community housing shortages.
Local governments and states: Eligible for grants to update zoning/laws, but must demonstrate barrier-removal efforts; metropolitan planning groups coordinate regional efforts.
Low-income and vulnerable populations: Primary beneficiaries through more accessible, affordable rentals tailored to special needs (e.g., veterans, disabled individuals).
HUD and federal partners: Responsible for implementation, funding distribution, and evaluation.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Strengthens HUD's role in affordable housing by mandating inclusive programs for faith-based groups, ensuring compliance with existing anti-discrimination laws (e.g., no religious favoritism in housing access). References to the Partnership Center help navigate federal rules on partnering with religious entities.
Constitutional: Potential First Amendment considerations (free exercise of religion and establishment clause) due to faith-based involvement, but the bill structures aid as neutral technical/financial support to avoid endorsing religion—similar to established federal faith-based initiatives.
Political: Promotes collaboration between religious, educational, and government sectors to tackle the housing affordability crisis, potentially appealing across party lines by emphasizing community-driven solutions; introduced by a bipartisan group (Sens. Warner, Blunt Rochester, Kim, Alsobrooks), it could influence future housing bills if passed.

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

Sponsor

Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]

Cosponsors (5)

Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Kim, Andy [D-NJ], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

Recent Actions

2025-09-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
2025-09-04: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Yes in God's Backyard Act — issued 2025-09-04 — PDF (11 pages)