A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
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 Innovation Fund Act establishes a competitive grant program managed by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. This program aims to increase local housing supplies by awarding grants to eligible entities such as metropolitan cities, urban counties, local governments, or Indian tribes. To be eligible, these entities must demonstrate an objective improvement in their housing supply growth. Grant funds can be used for various housing activities, including streamlining regulations and promoting denser development. The Secretary is required to award at least 25 grants annually, with amounts ranging from $250,000 to $10,000,000. The act authorizes up to $200,000,000 for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 11
- Scored +7
Does this make housing cost less?
The act creates a competitive grant program specifically designed to increase the supply of attainable and affordable housing through zoning and regulatory reform.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The program targets the expansion of attainable housing for households at significantly lower income levels.
- Scored +5
Would people in cities be better off under this?
The bill targets metropolitan cities and urban counties to increase housing density and supply.
The opposite
- Scored -2
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill allows for the streamlining of environmental regulations and minimizing the impact of energy efficiency standards to reduce housing costs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Housing Supply: The program provides funds to entities that have demonstrated an objective improvement in housing supply growth (Section 2(a)(2)).
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Increased Affordability: Grants can support initiatives that facilitate the expansion of "attainable housing," which serves households at specific income levels relative to the area median income (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Reduced Production Costs: Funds can be used for initiatives intended to reduce the cost of housing production, such as revising or eliminating off-street parking requirements or minimizing the impact of energy and water efficiency standards (Section 2(b)(4)(B)(ii) and (xi)).
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Expanded Housing Options: The bill allows for initiatives that increase by-right uses for various building types, including duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and multifamily buildings (Section 2(b)(4)(B)(i)).
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Expanded Accessory Dwelling Units: An entity can use funds to eliminate restrictions against accessory dwelling units and expand their by-right use (Section 2(b)(4)(B)(vii)).
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Streamlined Processes: Grants can support the streamlining of regulatory requirements, shortening processes, and reforming zoning codes to reduce barriers to housing (Section 2(b)(4)(B)(vi)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly stated within the provided text.
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? — The program targets the expansion of attainable housing for households at significantly lower income levels. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill targets metropolitan cities and urban counties to increase housing density and supply. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increasing housing supply helps address affordability for those earning up to 100-120 percent of the area median income. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Indian tribes as eligible entities for receiving housing supply grants. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Increased affordable housing supply generally benefits all minority communities facing housing shortages. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill requires the Secretary to consider a relatively even spread of rural and suburban communities for grant awards.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The act creates a competitive grant program specifically designed to increase the supply of attainable and affordable housing through zoning and regulatory reform. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By increasing the supply of attainable housing for lower-income households, the bill helps alleviate housing cost burdens.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill funds initiatives to increase housing supply and reduce construction costs, which supports local economic activity.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The Secretary is required to publish grant award methodologies in the Federal Register for public comment.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill permits grants to support activities under the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program related to transit. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill allows for the streamlining of environmental regulations and minimizing the impact of energy efficiency standards to reduce housing costs.
- 11/7/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy and Commerce, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
3 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.
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts