hold on there's just too much going on in Congress lmao...
Creates grants for communities to build more housing, especially near new jobs.
Sponsors: Mr. Ciscomani (R-AZ) and Mr. Quigley (D-IL).
Introduced in House, no committee vote yet.
This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to start a new program. This program would give competitive grants to local governments and housing agencies to build more workforce and affordable housing where job growth is strong. The bill was introduced by a bipartisan pair of representatives, Mr. Ciscomani from Arizona and Mr. Quigley from Illinois. It has just been introduced in the House of Representatives, meaning it's in the very early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been reviewed by a committee or voted on.
Introduced Apr 2, 2026
This bill is currently in the 'Introduced' stage in the House of Representatives. It was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services, and additionally to the Committee on Appropriations. For it to become law, these committees must first consider and approve it. Then, it would need to pass a vote in the full House, then pass the Senate, and finally be signed by the President.
If this bill passes, communities that have seen significant job growth due to federal investments (like infrastructure or semiconductor manufacturing) could receive grants to build more housing. This could lead to more apartment buildings, townhomes, or smaller homes becoming available. Local governments applying for these grants would need to show they plan to reform zoning and building rules, potentially allowing for taller buildings, faster permits, or smaller lot sizes. The grants would be funded by redirecting 10% of unused COVID relief money from various past acts.
Supporters Say
Supporters would argue this bill helps address housing shortages and affordability in areas with growing job markets.
Critics Say
Critics might question using past COVID funds for new housing or the effectiveness of a demonstration program.
Those in favor would likely highlight the need for more housing in areas with booming economies, stating that this bill provides a targeted approach to support communities struggling with housing supply. They might also emphasize the bipartisan sponsorship as a sign of common ground on a critical issue. Potential critics might raise concerns about how 'Covid funds' are being repurposed, or whether a limited demonstration program with only 15 grants can significantly impact a nationwide housing crisis.