Sponsors (2)
The bill provides targeted grants and forgivable loans to improve and preserve safe, accessible, and energy‑efficient homes for low‑income homeowners and renters while creating some local jobs, but it reallocates HUD funds, imposes eligibility and administrative limits that may exclude or slow aid for some, and leaves renters exposed to modest rent increases and participants exposed to repayment risk.
Low-income homeowners (≤80% AMI) can receive grants to make whole‑home repairs that restore habitability and safety, reducing health and code hazards in their homes.
Owners of small affordable rental portfolios can get forgivable loans to repair units, helping preserve affordable rental housing for low‑income renters.
Repairs may include accessibility and energy/water‑efficiency upgrades, improving safety and independence for older adults and people with disabilities and lowering utility costs for low‑income households.
Taxpayers bear the cost of up to $30 million reallocated from HUD lead/homes accounts to run the pilot, reducing funds available for other HUD priorities or lead‑hazard work.
Renters in assisted units could still face rent increases (capped at up to 5% annually over a 3‑year term), which may raise housing costs for low‑income renters even after repairs.
Eligibility restrictions (owner‑occupant proof, nonprofit experience, landlord unit caps) may exclude some needy households or housing providers from accessing funds, leaving gaps in who benefits.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates definitions and eligibility rules for a Whole-Home Repairs pilot, setting AMI limits, eligible homeowners/landlords/rental properties, forgivable loans, and eligible implementers.
Introduced November 7, 2025 by Nikema Williams · Last progress November 7, 2025
Establishes definitions and eligibility rules for a Whole-Home Repairs pilot program that would support repairs to owner-occupied homes and affordable rental units. It sets income limits (generally 80% of area median income), defines who counts as an eligible homeowner and eligible landlord, describes what qualifies as an eligible rental property, and defines a "forgivable loan" instrument for landlords. Also defines which entities may run the program: states or units of general local government (including tribally designated housing entities acting as subrecipients), Indian tribes, and "qualified nonprofits" that already have certain federal housing or community-development funding histories. The text focuses on definitions and eligibility criteria rather than funding details or operational rules.