HOME Reform Act of 2025

This bill, known as the HOME Reform Act of 2025, aims to significantly expand the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing, with a primary focus on rental housing. It achieves this by amending the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to broaden eligibility for assistance, enhance flexibility for participating jurisdictions, and streamline various regulatory processes. Key provisions expand the definition of eligible families to those with household incomes up to 100 percent of the area's median family income , increasing access to affordable housing programs. It also allows rental units occupied by tenants receiving Section 8 housing choice vouchers to automatically qualify as affordable housing. For homeownership, the bill raises the maximum purchase price to 110 percent of the median and introduces shared equity models to maintain long-term affordability, alongside exceptions for military members and heirs of deceased owners. The legislation streamlines environmental reviews by creating categorical exemptions for certain projects, such as infill housing and small new construction, and by requiring the avoidance of duplicative reviews. It also allows funds for infrastructure improvements in nonentitlement areas related to assisted housing and removes the expiration of the right to draw HOME Investment Trust Funds. Additionally, the bill reduces regulatory burdens by exempting small projects (50 units or less) from certain requirements and adjusts rules for uninvested Community Housing Development Organization funds, aiming to accelerate housing development.