James Himes (D-CT)
Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
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
This bill, titled the ``Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act of 2026,'' aims to amend the National Housing Act. It proposes increasing loan limits for various property improvements and manufactured home purchases. The legislation clarifies that property improvement loans can be used for the construction of accessory dwelling units. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to develop indexing methods to set loan limits annually. Finally, the bill mandates a study regarding the cost effectiveness of off-site construction housing, such as manufactured and modular homes.
Yes· 3 of 21
- Scored +6
Does this make housing cost less?
Increasing loan limits and authorizing accessory dwelling units can significantly expand access to affordable housing options.
- Scored +5
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill directly benefits middle-class homeowners through higher limits for property improvements and ADUs.
- Scored +4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Increased financing for manufactured and modular homes can improve access to affordable housing for low-income groups.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Loan Limits for Improvements: The bill increases the amount available for financing alterations, repairs, and improvements on existing single-family structures and manufactured homes to $75,000 (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Expanded Financing for Manufactured Homes: New loan limits are established for the purchase of single-section and multi-section manufactured homes, as well as those purchased with a developed lot (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Construction of Accessory Dwelling Units: The bill clarifies that property improvement loans may be used for the construction of additional or accessory dwelling units, with the principal amount to be prescribed by the Secretary (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(a)(1)(vii)).
-
Annual Indexing of Loan Limits: The Secretary is required to develop methods for indexing loan limits annually based on appropriate data, which may help keep limits current (Section 2(a)(3)).
-
Research on Off-Site Construction: The Secretary must conduct a study on the cost effectiveness, quality, and maintenance costs of off-site construction housing compared to site-built homes (Section 3(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in 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 middle-income households be better off under this? — The bill directly benefits middle-class homeowners through higher limits for property improvements and ADUs. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Increased financing for manufactured and modular homes can improve access to affordable housing for low-income groups. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Higher loan limits for home improvements benefit middle-aged homeowners looking to add value or ADUs. Would retired people be better off under this? — Enhanced financing for property improvements and ADUs supports flexible living arrangements for retirees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The ability to build accessory dwelling units could help seniors age in place or provide rental income. Would business owners be better off under this? — Construction and manufactured home businesses stand to benefit from increased loan capacity. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Expanded financing for manufactured homes is highly beneficial for rural housing accessibility. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The allowance of accessory dwelling units can increase density in urban areas. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increased manufactured home financing may help younger generations enter the housing market. Would union members be better off under this? — Increased construction activity could lead to more opportunities for skilled labor and trade unions.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — Increasing loan limits and authorizing accessory dwelling units can significantly expand access to affordable housing options. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Increased financing for various housing types could help mitigate housing shortages that contribute to homelessness. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Expanding financing for manufactured homes may provide more affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Annual indexing of loan limits helps protect consumers from inflation eroding their purchasing power for home improvements. Is this likely to create jobs? — Increased loan limits for home improvements and manufactured homes may stimulate activity in the construction and housing sectors. Is this likely to grow the economy? — By modernizing housing finance, the bill could support long-term economic stability in the housing market. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill may benefit small-scale construction and manufactured home businesses through increased demand.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The requirement for annual indexing methodology provides more transparency in how loan limits change over time. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the authority of the Secretary of HUD to set and index loan limits.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill mandates a study on off-site construction, which utilizes research to improve housing efficiency.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The focus on manufactured and modular homes could support housing availability in less densely populated areas.
- 3/4/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Sam LiccardoDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire