Sponsors (2)
The bill channels dedicated federal funds through CDFIs and nonprofits to lower financial barriers and prioritize inexperienced developers—boosting affordable housing production for low-income communities—while increasing federal spending and adding administrative complexity and potential delays due to intermediary routing and regulatory coordination.
Nonprofit housing organizations and CDFIs receive up to $50 million per year to lend and provide training, increasing the flow of capital into affordable housing projects and likely expanding supply in communities that need it.
Emerging developers with limited experience get prioritized access to financing and technical assistance, improving their ability to start and complete housing projects.
Grants may fund credit enhancements (e.g., interest rate buy-downs) and loan loss reserves, lowering borrowing costs and reducing project risk for smaller developers.
Taxpayers fund $50 million per year through FY2026–2030 (if appropriated), increasing federal spending and fiscal outlays.
Routing program funds through intermediaries (CDFIs, nonprofits) may delay direct access to capital for individual emerging developers and slow project starts.
The bill relies on and references multiple external definitions and rules (Treasury, IRS, CFR, HEA), creating interagency coordination needs that could complicate and slow implementation.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive Emerging Developer Fund awarding grants to nonprofits and CDFIs to finance and train emerging housing developers, authorizing $50M/year for FY2026–FY2030.
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Richard Joseph Durbin · Last progress September 19, 2025
Creates a competitive federal Emerging Developer Fund to give grants to nonprofit housing organizations and community development financial institutions (CDFIs) so they can finance and train less‑experienced, undercapitalized developers building affordable housing and community development projects. The program authorizes $50 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 and requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to set up the program within one year of enactment. Grant funds may cover predevelopment loans, loan loss reserves, grants, risk sharing, credit enhancements (including interest rate buy‑downs), capitalization of project support funds, capacity building, and technical assistance; awards are competitive and prioritized for applicants serving emerging developers in distressed communities or high‑opportunity areas. Individual award limits prevent a single recipient from receiving more than 15% of the annual appropriation, and the Secretary must coordinate with the Treasury on CDFI alignment.