The Opportunity Starts at Home campaign has outlined a set of critical federal legislation necessary to address the affordable housing crisis affecting individuals and families with the lowest incomes. While state and local governments play essential roles, federal leadership is crucial to expand resources, set policy priorities, and incentivize coordinated efforts.

Priority Bills

The following bipartisan priority bills, endorsed by the campaign’s Steering Committee, are critical steps toward addressing the housing crisis. While state partners mobilize state-level multi-sector coalitions to advocate for these housing solutions, some Opportunity Roundtable members also lend their support.

Eviction Crisis Act (S.2182)

Sponsors: Sen. Bennet (D-CO)/Sen. Young (R-IN)

  • Provides short-term, emergency assistance to stabilize households facing crises.
  • Builds on pandemic-era lessons to keep families housed during emergencies.

Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act (S.1257, H.R. 3776)

Sponsors: 

Sen. Van Hollen (D-MD)/ Sen. Young (R-IN)

Rep. Neguse (D-CO)/ Rep. Fitzpatrick (R-PA)

  • Creates 250,000 new housing vouchers with counseling services to help low-income families move to communities of their choice, with quality schools, strong job prospects, and vital resources.

Supporting Bills

These bills complement the campaign’s priorities. When enacted as part of a comprehensive package, they address structural inequities, expand resources, and promote housing affordability for the lowest-income households. Campaign staff advocate for these measures alongside priority bills.

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act (S.1686, H.R. 5940)

Sponsors:

Sen. Collins (R-ME)/Schatz (D-HI)

Rep. Green (D-TX)

  • Permanently authorizes HUD’s long-term disaster recovery program to provide flexible rebuilding funds.
  • Includes safeguards to ensure marginalized communities receive adequate support.

Choice in Affordable Housing Act (S.32, H.R. 4606)

Sponsors:

Sen. Coons (D-DE)/Cramer (R-ND)

Rep. Cleaver (D-MO)/Chavez DeRemer (R-OR)

  • Improves the Housing Choice Voucher program by reducing inspection delays, create landlord incentives, and expand the use of Small Area Fair Market Rents.
  • Such changes could increase voucher holders’ housing choices and reduce programmatic barriers to help attract and retain landlords in the program.

YIMBY Act (S.1688, H.R. 3507)

Sponsors:

Sen. Young (R-IN)/Schatz (D-HI)

Rep. Kilmer (D-WA)

  • Encourages state and local governments to reduce or eliminate restrictive zoning and land-use requirements that inflate housing costs and constrict the supply of housing.
  • Requires HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grantees to report on actions taken to address zoning and land use barriers.

Yes In God’s Back Yard Act (S.3910)

Sponsors:

Sen. Brown (D-OH)

  • Supports faith-based organizations and colleges in developing affordable housing on their land.
  • Provides technical assistance to faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education wanting to use their existing land to increase or preserve the supply of affordable rental housing.

Rural Housing Service Reform Act (S.2790)

Sponsors: Sen. Smith (D-MN)/Rounds (R-SD)

  • Preserves rural homes financed through USDA by permanently authorizing the agency’s preservation program, improving staff capacity and training, and updating programs.
  • Updates programs and ensures renters are protected when loans mature.

Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act Reauthorization (S.2264/ H.R. 6949)

Sponsors:

Sen. Schatz (D-HI)/ Sen. Murkowski (R-AK)

Rep. Waters (D-CA)

  • Called “the backbone of Indian housing,” NAHASDA grants can be used for affordable housing activities that primarily benefit low-income Indian families living on Indian reservations and Alaska Native communities or in other Indian areas. Despite its crucial role, NAHASDA has not been reauthorized in a decade.

Fair Housing Improvement Act (S.1267/ H.R. 2846)

Sponsors:

Sen. Kaine (D-VA)

Rep. Peters (D-CA)

  • Prohibits discrimination based on source-of-income and veteran status.
  • Previously introduced by former Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT).