A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
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 Homes for American Families Act aims to amend the Sherman Act to address the purchase of residential real estate by specific entities. It seeks to classify such purchases as a contract in restraint of trade, which would constitute a civil violation. The bill defines "covered entities" as real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, or certain large investment companies and private funds. It also defines "residential real estate" to include single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses, and certain zoned land. The legislation provides exceptions for homebuilders, developers, or redevelopers. These changes would take effect 90 days after the act is enacted.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +7
Does this make housing cost less?
By restricting large institutional purchases of residential real estate, the bill aims to increase housing availability for individual buyers.
- Scored +6
Would middle-income households be better off under this?
The bill may help middle-class families compete more effectively for residential real estate.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Limiting large-scale residential purchases may increase housing stock availability for lower-income individuals.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Large investment and insurance companies face significant new restrictions on their investment activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Antitrust Scrutiny: The Assistant Attorney General in charge of the Antitrust Division is directed to prioritize the review of residential real estate purchases by covered entities to check for anti-competitive effects (Section 2(a)(c)).
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Targeted Enforcement: The bill directs the prioritization of enforcement against specific behaviors, such as coordinated vacancy and pricing strategies, used by covered entities in local residential real estate markets (Section 2(a)(c)).
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Restraint of Trade Protections: By deeming purchases of residential real estate by covered entities as a contract in restraint of trade, the bill creates a civil violation to prevent these entities from purchasing such properties (Section 2(a)(b)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Large Entities: Certain entities, including real estate investment trusts, insurance companies, and investment companies or private funds with at least $150,000,000 in assets under management, are prohibited from purchasing residential real estate (Section 2(a)(1)).
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Limited Scope of Residential Property: The prohibition extends not just to homes, but also to land zoned by local governments for the development of single-family homes, condominiums, or townhouses (Section 2(a)(6)).
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 may help middle-class families compete more effectively for residential real estate. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Limiting large-scale residential purchases may increase housing stock availability for lower-income individuals. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increasing housing competition may benefit residents in urban markets currently dominated by institutional buyers. Would business owners be better off under this? — Large investment and insurance companies face significant new restrictions on their investment activities.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — By restricting large institutional purchases of residential real estate, the bill aims to increase housing availability for individual buyers.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill protects consumers by limiting the ability of large entities to dominate residential real estate markets through anti-competitive practices.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal antitrust enforcement authority over residential real estate transactions.
- 2/26/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon