A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
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 Build HUBS Act aims to amend existing federal laws to improve financing for transit-oriented development. It modifies the TIFIA and RRIF programs to make it easier to fund projects that include housing near transit hubs. The bill establishes new definitions for "attainable housing projects" and "transit-oriented development projects." It also creates a delegated origination and underwriting program to increase efficiency. Additionally, the act extends the authorized fiscal years for these programs through 2031.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +8
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill creates a new category of 'attainable housing projects' with significantly reduced interest rates to address the housing affordability crisis.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill prioritizes attainable housing projects where the majority of units are affordable to those at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
- Scored +6
Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport?
The act expands and streamlines financing for projects located near transit hubs to boost ridership and revitalize infrastructure.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill introduces categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act for certain transit-oriented development activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Housing Affordability: The bill creates "attainable housing projects" which serve households with incomes not more than 120 percent of the area median income, with the majority of units affordable to those at or below 80 percent of the area median income (Section 3(b)(2)).
-
Lower Interest Rates for Housing: Attainable housing projects would receive interest rates at one-half of the Treasury Rate in effect on the date the loan agreement is executed (Section 3(d)(4)(D) and Section 4(b)(1)(B)).
-
Improved Financing Access: The bill introduces an "investment-creditworthiness assessment alternative," allowing projects to access financing without needing a traditional investment-grade rating (Section 3(b)(2)(5) and Section 3(c)(1)).
-
Streamlined Project Development: Transit-oriented development projects can benefit from categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 for certain activities, such as converting existing office buildings or building on land disturbed for transportation use (Section 3(c)(3)(ii) and Section 4(d)(2)).
-
Greater Economic Opportunity: The bill notes that transit-oriented development can improve access to jobs and services while spurring neighborhood revitalization (Section 2(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Increased Financial Risk Requirements: For TIFIA projects, the bill mandates that not less than 75 percent of the total financial assistance must be used for residential components in the case of attainable housing projects (Section 3(c)(1)(D)).
-
New Coordination Burdens: Project sponsors for transit-oriented development must now coordinate with metropolitan planning organizations by providing timely notification and sharing project details and impacts (Section s 3(c)(1)(B)(ii) and Section 4(o)(1)).
-
Project Restrictions: A secured loan for a transit-oriented development project that includes significant housing or attainable housing components shall not exceed 75 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible project costs (Section 3(d)(1)(C)).
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 bill prioritizes attainable housing projects where the majority of units are affordable to those at or below 80 percent of the area median income. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The expansion of housing supply through transit-oriented development can assist middle-income households seeking affordable options. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill focuses on transit-oriented development which typically enhances urban density and service access.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes transit-oriented development which the findings state can improve access to jobs and spur economic development. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The expansion of financing options for transit-oriented development can support local commercial development and economic vitality.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill creates a new category of 'attainable housing projects' with significantly reduced interest rates to address the housing affordability crisis.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The act expands and streamlines financing for projects located near transit hubs to boost ridership and revitalize infrastructure. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill introduces categorical exclusions from the National Environmental Policy Act for certain transit-oriented development activities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates that the Secretary develop and make publicly available a straightforward and reasonable fee structure.
- 1/14/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
John CurtisRepublican · Utah