Bill Summary
The proposed legislation, titled the "Accelerating Home Building Act," aims to facilitate the development of mixed-income housing by allowing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to grant funds to eligible entities. These entities—such as local governments, municipal organizations, and Indian tribes—can use the grants to select pre-reviewed designs for various types of small to mid-sized residential structures, which include options like duplexes, triplexes, and townhouses.
The primary focus of the bill is to streamline the housing construction process by utilizing designs that have already been approved for compliance with local building standards. This is intended to expedite the approval process, ultimately increasing the supply of affordable housing, defined as housing that costs no more than 30% of the income for households earning up to 80% of the area median income.
Key features of the legislation include:
1. **Grant Authority**: HUD can provide grants for the selection of pre-reviewed designs but cannot fund actual construction or repairs.
2. **Rural Area Support**: At least 10% of the grant funds must be allocated to eligible entities in rural areas.
3. **Impact Reporting**: Grant recipients are required to report on the effectiveness of the funds in increasing affordable housing supply and the number of housing units produced using the pre-reviewed designs.
4. **Public Information**: The Secretary is encouraged to promote transparency by making information about the selected designs and their benefits publicly available online.
5. **Design Adoption Requirement**: If an eligible entity does not adopt the selected designs within five years, they may be required to return the grant funds.
Overall, this bill aims to enhance housing affordability and availability by modernizing the approval process and encouraging the construction of diverse housing options.
Possible Impacts
The legislation outlined in the "Accelerating Home Building Act" could affect people in several ways:
1. **Increased Access to Affordable Housing**: By granting funds to eligible entities to utilize pre-reviewed designs for mixed-income housing, the legislation aims to expedite the construction of affordable housing options. This could directly benefit low- and middle-income families who struggle to find housing that meets the affordability criteria (not exceeding 30% of their income). As a result, more families may have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing, improving their overall quality of life.
2. **Enhanced Economic Opportunities in Rural Areas**: The requirement that at least 10% of grants be allocated to rural areas can lead to increased housing development in regions that often face housing shortages. This could stimulate local economies by attracting new residents, increasing job opportunities, and fostering community development. People living in rural areas may benefit from improved housing options, which can enhance community stability and growth.
3. **Streamlined Housing Development Process**: The use of pre-reviewed designs, which are already vetted for compliance with local standards, can significantly shorten the approval process for new housing projects. This could lead to a faster increase in the housing supply, reducing the time families spend searching for homes and potentially lowering rental prices due to increased competition. Additionally, the requirement for reporting on the number of permits issued and housing units produced can ensure accountability and transparency in how funds are being used, ultimately benefiting communities seeking more housing options.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5907 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5907
To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award
grants to eligible entities to select pre-reviewed designs of covered
structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the
eligible entity, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 4, 2025
Ms. Bynum (for herself, Mr. Steil, Mr. Fitzgerald, and Mr. Pappas)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to award
grants to eligible entities to select pre-reviewed designs of covered
structures of mixed-income housing for use in the jurisdiction of the
eligible entity, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ACCELERATING HOME BUILDING ACT.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Affordable housing.--The term ``affordable housing''
means housing for which the total monthly housing cost payment
is not more than 30 percent of the monthly household income for
a household earning not more than 80 percent of the area median
income.
(2) Covered structure.--The term ``covered structure''
means--
(A) a low-rise or mid-rise structure with not more
than 25 dwelling units; and
(B) includes--
(i) an accessory dwelling unit;
(ii) infill development;
(iii) a duplex;
(iv) a triplex;
(v) a fourplex;
(vi) a cottage court;
(vii) a courtyard building;
(viii) a townhouse;
(ix) a multiplex; and
(x) any other structure with not less than
2 dwelling units that the Secretary considers
appropriate.
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
(A) a unit of general local government, as defined
in section 102(a) of the Housing and Community
Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5302(a));
(B) a municipal membership organization; and
(C) an Indian tribe, as defined in section 102(a)
of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974
(42 U.S.C. 5302(a)).
(4) High opportunity area.--The term ``high opportunity
area'' has the meaning given the term in section 1282.1 of
title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
(5) Infill development.--The term ``infill development''
means residential development on small parcels in previously
established areas for replacement by new or refurbished housing
that utilizes existing utilities and infrastructure.
(6) Mixed-income housing.--The term ``mixed-income
housing'' means a housing development that is comprised of
housing units that promote differing levels of affordability in
the community.
(7) Pre-reviewed designs.--The term ``pre-reviewed
designs'', also known as pattern books, means sets of
construction plans that are assessed and approved by localities
for compliance with local building and permitting standards to
streamline and expedite approval pathways for housing
construction.
(8) Rural area.--The term ``rural area'' means any area
other than a city or town that has a population of less than
50,000 inhabitants.
(9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development.
(b) Authority.--The Secretary may award grants to eligible entities
to select pre-reviewed designs of covered structures of mixed-income
housing for use in the jurisdiction of the eligible entity, except that
such grant awards may not be used for construction, alteration, or
repair work.
(c) Considerations.--In reviewing applications submitted by
eligible entities for a grant under this section, the Secretary shall
consider--
(1) the need for affordable housing by the eligible entity;
(2) the presence of high opportunity areas in the
jurisdiction of the eligible entity;
(3) coordination between the eligible entity and a State
agency; and
(4) coordination between the eligible entity and State,
local, and regional transportation planning authorities.
(d) Set-aside for Rural Areas.--Of the amount made available in
each fiscal year for grants under this section, the Secretary shall
ensure that not less than 10 percent shall be used for grants to
eligible entities that are located in rural areas.
(e) Reports.--The Secretary shall require eligible entities
receiving grants under this section to report on--
(1) the impacts of the activities carried out using the
grant amounts in improving the production and supply of
affordable housing;
(2) the pre-reviewed designs selected using the grant
amounts in their communities;
(3) the number of permits issued for housing development
utilizing pre-reviewed designs; and
(4) the number of housing units produced in developments
utilizing the pre-reviewed designs.
(f) Availability of Information.--The Secretary shall--
(1) to the extent possible, encourage localities to make
publicly available through a website information on the pre-
reviewed designs selected and submitted to the Secretary by
eligible entities receiving grants under this section,
including information on the benefits of use of those designs;
and
(2) collect, identify, and disseminate best practices
regarding such designs and make such information publicly
available on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
(g) Design Adoption and Repayment.--The Secretary may require an
eligible entity to return to the Secretary any grant funds received
under this section if the selected pre-reviewed designs submitted under
this section have not been adopted during the 5-year period following
receipt of the grant, unless that period is extended by the Secretary.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary such sums as are necessary to carry out this
section.
(2) Technical assistance.--The Secretary may set aside not
more than 5 percent of amounts appropriated under paragraph (1)
in a fiscal year to provide technical assistance to grant
recipients under this section and pre-grant technical
assistance for prospective applicants.
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