Wesley Bell (D-MO)
Vacancy to Value Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Financial Services, 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 Vacancy to Value Act of 2026 authorizes the General Services Administration to create a pilot program for selling or transferring underutilized Federal property. This program aims to facilitate economic redevelopment through entities and individuals. Additionally, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will establish a Federal Redevelopment Grant Program to support these efforts. The grant program provides funding for various stages of property redevelopment and community revitalization. The pilot program is set to terminate five years after the Act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 10
- Scored +8
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill prioritizes the creation and preservation of permanently affordable housing through grant funding and redevelopment purposes.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes projects that benefit low-income communities and increase the supply of affordable housing.
- Scored +6
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill explicitly targets economic redevelopment and job creation as an eligible purpose for property transfers.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Community Economic Growth: The bill allows for property transfers for purposes that benefit the surrounding community, such as job creation and economic growth (Section 2(b)).
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Increased Affordable Housing: Property redevelopment can specifically include affordable housing (Section 2(b)), and the grant program prioritizes projects that create or preserve permanently affordable housing (Section 4(d)).
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Improved Community Facilities: The bill supports the development of essential community facilities like clinics, childcare centers, and schools (Section 2(b), Section 4(c)).
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Support for Underserved Areas: The grant program prioritizes projects that benefit low-income or historically underserved communities (Section 4(d)).
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Financial Assistance for Redevelopment: The Federal Redevelopment Grant Program provides funds for predevelopment, environmental remediation, demolition, rehabilitation, construction, and infrastructure improvements (Section 4(c)).
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Support for Local Organizations: The pilot program gives priority consideration to community-based nonprofit organizations and public entities (Section 2(f)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Risk of Property Loss: If an entity acquires property but fails to submit a redevelopment plan or begin work within 5 years, the Administrator may require the return of the property (Section 2(d), Section 2(e)).
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.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill prioritizes the creation and preservation of permanently affordable housing through grant funding and redevelopment purposes. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill identifies the development of childcare centers as an eligible use for redevelopment funds. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill targets low-income and underserved communities for community revitalization and affordable housing.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill prioritizes projects that benefit low-income communities and increase the supply of affordable housing. Would children be better off under this? — The bill supports the creation of childcare centers and schools which benefit children. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The redevelopment of federal property often provides significant benefits to urban community revitalization. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill aims to benefit underserved communities which may include Hispanic populations.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill explicitly targets economic redevelopment and job creation as an eligible purpose for property transfers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill promotes economic growth by facilitating the redevelopment of underutilized federal properties.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill supports the development of community facilities including health clinics through redevelopment grants.
- 5/22/2026
- Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and Financial Services, 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.
- Introduced in House