Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Delivering Americans Affordable Homes Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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 "Delivering Americans Affordable Homes Act" aims to facilitate the leasing of United States Postal Service property for housing development. To accomplish this, the Postmaster will establish a Housing Liaison Office to inventory suitable parcels and manage a joint development process. The bill seeks to address the national housing supply shortage and generate new revenue for the Postal Service, which has faced annual financial losses. Development will occur through partnerships between public entities and entities capable of constructing rental housing. Lease agreements must include specific affordability requirements and terms. This legislation is intended to create new housing opportunities while improving the financial position of the Postal Service.
Yes· 3 of 22
- Scored +8
Does this make housing cost less?
The bill mandates that 20% of units must be affordable for at least 50 years to address the housing shortage.
- Scored +7
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The mandate for 20% affordable units directly benefits households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income.
- Scored +5
Would people in cities be better off under this?
Increased density and housing in communities often benefits urban resident populations.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Housing Supply: The bill aims to respond to the national housing supply shortage by developing housing on approximately 8,500 parcels of land owned by the Postal Service (Section 2).
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Affordable Housing Opportunities: Lease agreements must ensure that at least 20 percent of units are affordable to households earning 80 percent or less of the Area Median Income (Section 5, subsection a, paragraph 2, subparagraph B).
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Long-term Affordability: Restrictions on affordability in the lease agreements are required to last for at least 50 years (Section 5, subsection a, paragraph 2, subparagraph A).
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Improved Postal Service Finances: By leasing property rights, the Postal Service can create new sources of revenue to improve its financial position (Section 2, paragraph 5).
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Job Protections: All laborers and mechanics employed for construction, alteration, or repair work related to these leases must be paid wages at rates not less than those prevailing in the locality (Section 5, subsection d).
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Art Preservation: The bill requires the preservation of certain art located at the Postal Service property that was completed between 1934 and 1943 (Section 5, subsection c).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Potential Mail Service Disruption: The Office may refuse to lease property if the development of housing would be substantially disruptive to the delivery of mail and cannot be mitigated (Section 4, subsection c, paragraph 3, subparagraph B).
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Financial Risk to Postal Service: The Office may refuse a lease if the financial benefit to the Postal Service would be less than the cost arising from the development of the housing (Section 4, subsection c, paragraph 3, subparagraph B).
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 mandate for 20% affordable units directly benefits households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Increased density and housing in communities often benefits urban resident populations. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Increased housing supply can help mitigate rising costs that impact the middle class. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill protects laborers and mechanics by requiring prevailing wage standards. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Increased affordable housing supply is often highly beneficial for younger populations entering the housing market. Would business owners be better off under this? — Construction and development partnerships provide opportunities for private and public entities. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Expanded housing options can provide stability for middle-aged households. Would retired people be better off under this? — More housing options can provide more choices for retirees looking to downsize or relocate. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill notes the suitability of land in many communities, including potentially rural ones. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The development of diverse housing options can benefit aging populations seeking stable housing. Would students be better off under this? — Increased affordable housing can assist students and young professionals. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill explicitly includes Tribal governments as eligible public entities for joint development.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The bill mandates that 20% of units must be affordable for at least 50 years to address the housing shortage. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — By increasing the supply of affordable housing, the bill potentially mitigates homelessness. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Increased affordable housing supply can help reduce housing cost burdens for low-income households.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill aims to generate new revenue streams for the Postal Service to mitigate its annual losses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes housing construction which can stimulate job growth. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increased housing development can contribute to local economic activity. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill mandates prevailing wage rates for laborers and mechanics involved in related construction work.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the publication of property inventories in the Federal Register and on an official website. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill utilizes federal property to implement national housing policy through a new federal office.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill creates a structured system for the management and leasing of USPS-owned land for housing.
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
John CurtisRepublican · Utah