A new HUD pilot program would fund whole-home repairs — accessibility modifications, habitability and safety fixes, and energy and water efficiency upgrades — for low-income homeowners and small landlords. Implementing organizations (states, local governments, or qualified nonprofits) would receive grants, then pass through grants to homeowners earning up to 80% of area median income or 200% of the federal poverty line, and forgivable loans to landlords who own fewer than 10 properties with mostly affordable units. Landlords accepting loans must extend current tenants' leases for at least 3 years, cap annual rent increases at 5% or inflation (whichever is lower) for 3 years, and meet federal accessibility and fair-housing standards. HUD is authorized to use up to $25 million from existing Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes appropriations to fund the program, awarding between 2 and 10 organizations per year with no more than one per state. Up to 10% of awarded funds may go to administrative costs and another 10% to workforce training. Implementing organizations must file annual reports with demographic data and anti-fraud certifications, and the HUD Inspector General must assess the program at least twice during its run. The pilot program terminates on October 1, 2030.
Average Household Impact
- Home-repair grants — available to homeowners up to 80% of area median income
- Rent-increase cap on assisted units — held to 5% or inflation for 3 years post-repair
- Lease extension for current tenants — required for 3 years post-repair
Corporate Benefits
- Forgivable repair loans for small landlords — limited to those with fewer than 10 properties
Environmental Concerns
- Energy and water efficiency repair funding — added for weatherization improvements
Transparency & Accountability
- Annual HUD reporting — unit counts, demographics, and anti-fraud plan required
- HUD Inspector General assessments — required at least twice during the pilot
- Sunset on whole-home repairs pilot — added with October 1, 2030 termination
Congressional Summary
Whole-Home Repairs Act of 2025This bill establishes a pilot program through which the Department of Housing and Urban Development provides grants to state and local governments to support the ability of certain landlords and low- to moderate-income homeowners to make necessary modifications, repairs, or updates to their properties. State and local governments must use the funds they receive under the program to award grants to homeowners and loans to landlords to make changes that address issues such as accessibility, habitability, and energy efficiency. A homeowner is eligible for a grant if the homeowner's household income (1) does not exceed 80% of the area median income, (2) does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or (3) meets the income eligibility criteria of another federal program that serves families of limited means. A landlord is eligible for a loan (which may be forgivable) if the landlord owns fewer than 10 rental properties that have a total of up to 50 units and that mostly consist of units that are affordable (i.e., affordable to a tenant with an income that does not exceed 80% of the area median income).The program terminates on October 1, 2030.
Legislative Subjects
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-01-16
- Date Added
- 2026-05-08
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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