H.R. 2945 — Housing for All Act of 2025

This section authorizes appropriations of $45 billion to the Housing Trust Fund for each of fiscal years 2025 through 2034. (The Housing Trust Fund provides grants to states for increasing and preserving rental housing supply for extremely low- and very low-income families, including homeless families, and for increasing homeownership for such families.)

This section authorizes appropriations for FY2025, to remain available until September 30, 2034, for the supportive housing for the elderly program under Section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q)—which provides no-interest capital advances and project rental assistance for very low-income persons aged 62 and older—as follows: (1) $2.5 billion for capital advances, Section 8 project-based rental assistance contracts for capital advance projects, and service coordinators; (2) $15 million for technical assistance to states to improve voluntary supportive services in Section 202 housing and other housing for low-income older adults; and (3) $125 million for administration and oversight.

This section authorizes appropriations for FY2025, to remain available until September 30, 2034, for the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program (42 U.S.C. 8013)—which provides capital advances and project rental assistance for permanent supportive housing serving very low-income persons with disabilities—as follows: (1) $900,000,000 for capital advances (including amendments to capital advance contracts), project rental assistance under section 811(d)(2), project assistance contracts under section 202(h) of the Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(h)), and project rental assistance to state housing finance agencies and other entities under section 811(b)(3); (2) $15,000,000 for technical assistance to support state-level efforts to integrate housing assistance and voluntary supportive services for residents of such housing; and (3) $87,000,000 for Department of Housing and Urban Development administration and oversight.

This section authorizes appropriations for FY2025, available until September 30, 2034, of (1) $40 billion for activities and assistance under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (i.e., formula grants to states and localities for the development, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental and homeownership housing for low-income families); (2) $100 million for new awards to or increases for existing technical assistance providers, including for best practices in coordinating HOME funds with other assistance such as project-based rental assistance; and (3) $360 million for administration and oversight costs of the HOME program and the Housing Trust Fund (i.e., grants to states funded primarily by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allocations to increase and preserve rental housing and homeownership for extremely low- and very low-income families). This section further allows eligible HOME grantees to use up to 15% of their allocations for administrative and planning costs (notwithstanding limits in 42 U.S.C. 12742(c) and (d)(1)).

This section establishes a grant program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to provide technical assistance to states on navigating and coordinating federal and state housing funding sources—such as for permanent supportive housing (i.e., housing with services for individuals experiencing homelessness and disabilities)—including resources, tools, and products that (1) assist with coordinating a single application for multiple funding sources; (2) assist with consolidating funding sources and implementing reporting requirements at the state level; and (3) support staff capacity in state housing finance agencies to align funding with needs and expand housing stability. The section authorizes appropriations of such sums as necessary, to remain available until expended.

This section (1) permanently authorizes appropriations of $10 million for each fiscal year to carry out Title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which established the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) to coordinate the federal response to homelessness across federal agencies (from $3 million for FY2010 and such sums as necessary for FY2011); and (2) establishes a permanent 14-member Commission on Racial Equity in Housing, appointed by the USICH Executive Director by January 1, 2026, to support USICH through research, data collection and analysis, and leadership on racial equity in housing and homelessness—including structural racism's impacts and intervention effectiveness—with duties to inform the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness and submit annual reports to Congress and specified federal officials, funded by such sums as necessary.

This section defines an eligible household, for purposes of expanded tenant-based rental assistance (i.e., Housing Choice Vouchers) under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as a family initially with income not exceeding 50% of the maximum income limit for extremely low-income families or as an extremely low-income family (generally, income not over 30% of area median) that includes a Supplemental Security Income recipient. It appropriates necessary amounts for FY2025 through 2028 to fund allocation of 500,000 incremental vouchers in FY2025 and 1,000,000 incremental vouchers in 500,000 increments each calendar year 2026 through 2028 to public housing agencies pursuant to selection criteria prioritizing eligible households facing severe housing hardships (e.g., homelessness, overcrowding, evictions), covering such allocations, annual renewals, and administrative fees. Beginning five years after enactment, it entitles any otherwise eligible family that is an eligible household to section 8(o) assistance and appropriates necessary sums for such assistance and administrative fees.

This section authorizes appropriations for FY2025, to remain available until September 30, 2034, of (1) $14.5 billion for project-based rental assistance under section 8(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (i.e., subsidies attached to specific units in multifamily properties to aid low-income families), in addition to amounts otherwise available; (2) $40 million for technical assistance to recipients, applicants, or states allocating such assistance; and (3) $200 million for administration and oversight costs. Notwithstanding section 8(a), which authorizes assistance payments only for existing housing, the Secretary may use these amounts for assistance payments with respect to newly constructed housing, existing housing, or substantially rehabilitated non-housing structures converted to multifamily housing, and for performance-based contract administrators. In awarding contracts, the Secretary must prioritize projects in high-opportunity areas, locations with economic growth or rising housing prices to prevent low-income displacement, properties serving those at risk of homelessness, or those providing additional units accessible to persons with mobility, hearing, or visual impairments beyond federal requirements.

This section authorizes $5 billion for FY2025 for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (i.e., grants to state and local governments and nonprofits to fund rapid re-housing, emergency shelter, street outreach, prevention, and data collection to address homelessness), with funds to remain available until September 30, 2034. It limits a recipient's use of these funds for emergency shelter activities to the greater of 40% of the recipient's allocation or the amount the recipient expended on such activities in FY2010.

This section authorizes $15 billion for FY2025, to remain available until the end of FY2034, for grants under the Continuum of Care Program (CoC), which funds communities to organize and provide housing, supportive services, and other assistance needed to move people experiencing homelessness into permanent housing. (1) Of those amounts for a fiscal year, at least 50% must be allocated for permanent housing for homeless individuals with disabilities and homeless families including such an individual who is an adult or minor head of household (if no adult is present). (2) In awarding grants, the Secretary must prioritize applicants that document coordination with systems serving young people and collaboration with child welfare organizations, juvenile and adult justice systems, and mental and physical health institutions to ensure program participants are not released into homelessness.

This section authorizes appropriations for FY2025, in addition to amounts otherwise available and to remain available until expended, of (1) $1 billion to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for administering this title and HUD programs generally, and for new or increased awards for training, technical assistance, and capacity building related to HUD programs; (2) $5 million to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness for carrying out its functions under title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (i.e., coordinating the federal response to homelessness); and (3) $10 million to HUD's Office of the Inspector General for salaries and expenses.

This section directs the Comptroller General of the United States to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, a report examining (1) the effects of COVID-19 eviction moratoriums on housing stability, formal and informal evictions during those periods, and public fund savings (e.g., reduced shelter costs); (2) disproportionate eviction risks during the pandemic for women, Black, Hispanic, and other minority renters, as well as veterans, children, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities; (3) barriers to collecting data on items (1) and (2); (4) barriers to collecting, digitizing, and standardizing eviction process data, including pre-eviction information, renter race or ethnicity, age, gender, household composition, and landlord data; and (5) the relationship between emergency rental assistance distribution and eviction patterns during the moratoriums.

This section establishes a grant program to be administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) within 180 days of enactment, under which eligible entities—units of general-purpose local government, Indian tribes or tribally designated housing entities, nonprofits serving homeless persons, or Continuum of Care (CoC) collaborative applicants or funded entities—may receive funds to establish or operate safe parking programs. A safe parking program provides overnight vehicle parking, permanent rehousing services (e.g., case management), and essential services (as defined in 24 C.F.R. § 576.102) to homeless persons living in vehicles (including motor homes). Grants have a 5-year term with 20% of funds distributed annually, capped at $5 million per entity; the Secretary must prioritize applications from underserved areas (as defined in 24 C.F.R. § 81.2). Grant funds may be used for (1) program establishment and operations (including at multiple locations), (2) rehousing assistance, (3) safety and compliance staff, (4) hygiene and restroom facilities, (5) vehicle maintenance and gas for housing-related travel (e.g., work, school, medical appointments, home searches), or (6) homeless management information system (HMIS) data entry; alternatively, with HUD approval, funds may support Emergency Solutions Grants Program activities if the safe parking program is no longer needed. Program participants are not required to accept rehousing or case management services. HUD must submit an initial report to Congress 180 days after the second fiscal year post-enactment and a final report 180 days after the fifth such year, including available data on vehicle homelessness trends over prior years, participant demographics, and exits to permanent housing. No grants may be awarded after the fifth fiscal year post-enactment, with $25 million authorized annually for each of the first 5 fiscal years post-enactment.

This section authorizes $500 million for FY2025, available through September 30, 2033, to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for (1) acquisition, rehabilitation, renovation, or conversion of transitional housing, temporary shelters, hotels, motels, government-owned properties, or commercial spaces (e.g., shopping malls) into non-congregate shelter or permanent supportive housing to address homelessness and housing instability; and (2) supportive services for residents of such housing, including those listed in section 401(29) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (i.e., case management, outreach, and other services typically provided under homeless assistance programs), housing counseling, and homeless prevention services. The section further authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations, notices, guidance, forms, instructions, and publications as needed to implement these activities on a timely and effective basis.

This section authorizes $800 million for FY2025, to remain available until September 30, 2033, for the Secretary to establish an eviction protection grant program supporting experienced legal service providers in offering free legal assistance to low-income tenants at risk of or subject to eviction. The section further authorizes the Secretary to issue regulations, guidance, and other materials as needed to implement the program.

This section authorizes the Attorney General to award grants to states, units of local government, public and community defender systems, and nonprofit organizations to create or expand mobile crisis intervention teams to address homelessness and reduce recidivism. Grantees must provide assurances of nondiscrimination policies, including protections based on gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics regardless of sex at birth; nonprofits must also demonstrate expertise in engaging homeless populations or alternatives to penalizing homelessness. Grant funds may support creating, expanding, studying, or operating such teams—which provide stabilization services (e.g., by healthcare, mental health, and housing professionals) to individuals with urgent medical or psychological needs as alternatives to law enforcement responses—and authorizes $50 million for the first fiscal year after enactment and each of nine succeeding fiscal years.

This section establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, under which eligible entities—such as eligible libraries (i.e., public, school, academic, research, or Tribal libraries), library agencies, consortia, or associations—may receive funds to carry out pilot programs addressing the needs of homeless individuals or those at risk of homelessness. Grants may be used to connect such individuals to resources for stable housing (directly or via subgrants to eligible libraries), provide programs on health, rental or mortgage assistance, and government benefits, or partner with community organizations or public health departments for outreach; subgrants prioritize integration with existing federal or state homeless programs. Eligible entities must submit applications describing programs, partners, and (if applicable) subgrant processes and criteria; the Assistant Secretary must consult with the Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and potentially the Interagency Council on Homelessness, and grantees must submit effectiveness reports. The section authorizes $10 million annually for the first fiscal year after enactment and 9 succeeding fiscal years.

This section directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to submit to Congress, not later than 180 days after enactment, a report on incorporating inclusive transit-oriented development into HUD housing programs to enhance climate mitigation and disaster resiliency. The report must address (1) infill projects that connect people to jobs and transit while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and (2) support for developers and local governments constructing units on existing or underused urban land near city amenities and transportation.

This section establishes an innovation pilot within the Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) by allowing states to use apportioned funds under 23 U.S.C. §104(b)(7) for innovative strategies to reduce transportation emissions, including associated infrastructure improvements that increase the share of nonmotorized trips and improve the efficiency of existing surface transportation infrastructure. (As background: The CRP provides formula funding to states for projects and strategies that reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.) It further directs the Secretary of Transportation to issue notice and guidance for interested entities to participate in the pilot within 120 days of enactment and prohibits use of such funds for projects that increase net capacity for vehicular travel.

This section expands eligibility for Rebuilding Infrastructure and Advancing Surface Transportation Efficiency (RAISE) grants to include projects or series of projects that reduce transportation emissions—including associated infrastructure improvements to support infill development or transit-oriented development—and increase nonmotorized trips, provided that (1) the projects directly improve the efficiency of existing surface transportation infrastructure and (2) the federal share funds only elements providing public benefits.

This section establishes a competitive grant program, administered by the Secretary in consultation with an interagency working group, to award 5-year capacity-building grants of up to $500,000 to eligible entities (i.e., local governmental entities, Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, public housing agencies administering housing choice vouchers, or continuums of care or their designated nonprofits responsible for homelessness services) to enhance coordination of health care and homelessness services for persons experiencing homelessness with significant behavioral health needs, including substance use disorders, who voluntarily seek assistance. Grants may not fund health care (except Naloxone availability and training) or rent, but may cover eligible activities such as hiring system coordinators and administrative costs (e.g., staffing and technology); recipients must assure culturally competent, trauma-informed, harm-reduction services and demonstrate capacity gains via measures such as designating coordinators, improving infrastructure or technology (including accessible remote monitoring), strengthening provider connections, or expanding Naloxone access. The working group—comprising representatives from the Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness—must develop and disseminate training, tools, and technical assistance materials within one year of enactment to simplify cross-sector service understanding, prioritizing grant applicants.