Helping More Families Save Act

This bill creates a pilot program to help families in public housing or using housing vouchers save money as their earnings grow. When a family’s rent goes up because they earn more, the increase is put into a savings (escrow) account that earns interest, instead of being lost to higher rent. Up to 25 agencies can run the pilot for as many as 5,000 families. Families can later use the saved money for goals like education, job training, or other approved needs. Their higher earnings during the pilot don’t count against them for other HUD benefits. Families can opt out at any time, and their housing assistance won’t be delayed or cut if they do. They can’t be in this pilot and the existing Family Self-Sufficiency program at the same time .

Families generally can withdraw their savings after 5 years, up to 7 years if they choose to continue, or sooner if they stop receiving housing help or need funds for approved self-sufficiency goals. The program aims to test whether this approach helps families move toward financial independence. HUD must study results and report back. The pilot ends 10 years after it starts, and $5 million is authorized in 2026 for technical help and an evaluation .

Key points

• Who is affected: Families getting housing help under Section 8 or public housing (Section 9) who join the pilot .
• What changes: Rent increases tied to earned income are saved in an interest-bearing account; higher earnings in the pilot don’t reduce other HUD benefits; families can opt out anytime without losing housing help .
• How many: Up to 25 agencies and 5,000 families total .
• When: HUD picks agencies within 18 months; escrow accounts are opened within 6 months of selection and last 5–7 years; the pilot ends after 10 years; study due within 8 years of selection; funding available in 2026 for support and evaluation .