Housing for America’s Middle Class Act of 2026

This legislation aims to address the significant housing affordability challenges faced by middle-income American families. Congress finds that these families often earn too much to qualify for existing federal housing benefits, leading to their exclusion from affordable housing options near their workplaces and essential services. The bill mandates the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to submit a comprehensive report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. This report must identify specific housing affordability issues for middle-income homeowners and renters, pinpointing geographical areas most affected. Crucially, the GAO is tasked with identifying federal housing programs that currently benefit lower-income households but exclude middle-income families, highlighting any existing gaps in federal support. A primary objective of the report is to recommend a definition for "workforce housing" based on specific income parameters. This definition is intended to assist federal agencies in better including middle-income households within existing federal programs. Furthermore, the report will analyze how such a definition could be utilized to create incentives for the development of workforce housing through various federal programs, policies, and initiatives.