A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The HOME Reform Act of 2025 updates federal laws related to affordable housing to encourage the expansion of safe and sanitary rental and homeownership options. It adjusts the income limits for families qualifying for assistance up to 100 or 110 percent of the area median family income. The bill allows certain jurisdictions to use program funds for basic infrastructure improvements like water and sewer lines. It creates exceptions for housing choice vouchers and provides waivers for military members and heirs of deceased owners. Additionally, the legislation exempts specific housing projects from certain environmental reviews and labor requirements.
Yes· 3 of 20
- Scored +7
Does this make housing cost less?
Expands affordable housing definitions, adjusts income limits up to 100-110 percent of area median income, and provides voucher exceptions.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Expands affordable rental options, incorporates voucher holders, and supports infrastructure for low-income housing.
- Scored +5
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
Increases income eligibility limits for affordable housing programs up to 100-110 percent of area median family income.
The opposite· 3 of 4
- Scored -5
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
Exempts certain housing projects, such as infill housing and projects of 15 units or less, from environmental reviews under NEPA.
- Scored -4
Would union members be better off under this?
Removes certain federal labor requirement protections for projects between 12 and 23 units.
- Scored -4
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
Expands the small-project exemption to labor requirements, removing certain federal labor protections for projects between 12 and 23 units.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 4 allows funds to be used for infrastructure improvements like water and sewer lines, sidewalks, and roads in nonentitlement areas. This is a positive step because it directly supports the development of new or assisted housing with necessary public utilities.
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Section 5 adds an exception for housing choice vouchers, stating that a rental unit qualifies as affordable housing if it is occupied by a tenant receiving Section 8 assistance and rent limits are met. This benefits voucher holders by expanding the inventory of rental units that officially qualify as affordable housing.
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Section 6 provides waivers of income qualifications for military members facing deployments or permanent changes of station, and allows heirs to continue living in and assuming the duties of affordable housing after an owner passes away. This protects military families and grieving beneficiaries from losing their housing stability due to life changes.
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Section 11 exempts certain projects, such as new construction infill housing and projects of 15 units or less, from environmental reviews under the National Environmental Policy Act. This could speed up the construction process for small and infill housing projects, helping people get into homes faster.
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Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Section 10 raises the small-project exemption threshold for labor requirements from 12 or more units to 24 or more units. This could negatively impact workers on projects containing between 12 and 23 units by removing certain federal labor protections that previously applied to those sites.
- Section 12 explicitly states that the Build America, Buy America Act shall not apply to activities assisted under the title. This might be viewed as a negative outcome by domestic manufacturing advocates who prefer federal funds to be tied to American-made materials.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Expands affordable rental options, incorporates voucher holders, and supports infrastructure for low-income housing. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increases income eligibility limits for affordable housing programs up to 100-110 percent of area median family income. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Provides military members and their families waivers from certain income qualification rules during deployments or station changes. Would business owners be better off under this? — Reduces bureaucratic hurdles, labor requirement thresholds, and environmental reviews for housing developers. Would children be better off under this? — Stable and affordable housing options benefit families and children. Would retired people be better off under this? — Allows heirs and beneficiaries to assume affordable housing duties and remain in their homes after an owner's death. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Permits jurisdictions in nonentitlement areas to use program funds for essential water, sewer, and road infrastructure. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects beneficiaries and heirs by allowing them to maintain affordable housing stability after an owner passes away. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Expands rental and homeownership affordability for first-time buyers and lower-income young adults. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Assists middle-income households by raising homeownership qualification limits up to 110 percent of area median income. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Includes provisions specifically targeting infill housing projects within municipal limits. Would union members be better off under this? — Removes certain federal labor requirement protections for projects between 12 and 23 units.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Expands affordable housing definitions, adjusts income limits up to 100-110 percent of area median income, and provides voucher exceptions. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Improves access to safe and sanitary housing options for lower-income households and families. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Increases housing availability and provides heirs and military personnel stability protections against housing loss.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Reduces regulatory and environmental review burdens for smaller housing projects and developers. Is this likely to create jobs? — Streamlines housing development and environmental reviews, which can lead to increased construction and job creation in the housing sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Facilitates faster housing development and infrastructure improvements, supporting local economic activity. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Expands the small-project exemption to labor requirements, removing certain federal labor protections for projects between 12 and 23 units.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — Allows program funds to be used for essential infrastructure improvements like water, sewer lines, sidewalks, and roads. Does this invest in rural communities? — Allows jurisdictions in nonentitlement areas to use funds for necessary public utility and infrastructure improvements. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — Exempts certain housing projects, such as infill housing and projects of 15 units or less, from environmental reviews under NEPA.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Provides participating jurisdictions more flexibility in choosing housing uses and waiving certain federal mandates.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this make trade with other countries easier? — Exempts activities assisted under the bill from the Build America, Buy America Act, which may slightly reduce domestic manufacturing preference.
- 10/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri