Legislation1w ago
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To authorize implementation grants to community-based nonprofits to operate one-stop reentry centers.
HR8548Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37] (D-CA)
introduced
HR4385119th CongressWALLET
Helping More Families Save Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a temporary pilot that converts rent increases from earned-income gains into interest-bearing escrow savings for participating families, using an expanded Family Self-Sufficiency framework. It ties escrow deposits to earned-income growth while protecting eligibility rules and building evaluation into the design.
Show full summary
- Families: Enrolled families would have rent increases tied to earned-income gains deposited into interest-bearing escrow accounts instead of counted as income for HUD programs. Accounts must be held at least 5 years, can extend to 7 years, and deposits stop for families above 80 percent of area median income.
- Housing providers and program operators: The Secretary would select up to 25 eligible entities, including public housing agencies and private project owners, to run the pilot covering up to 5,000 families across urban and rural areas. Entities may use section 8 or 9 funds to fund escrow deposits when those funds are offset by the family's rent increase.
- Policymakers and researchers: The Secretary must study outcomes and report to the Senate Banking Committee and House Financial Services Committee within 8 years, and the pilot would terminate 10 years after enactment.
*Would authorize $5.0 million for FY2026 for technical assistance and evaluation, creating potential federal outlays if appropriated.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Opt-out and protections for pilot renters
If selected, the program would have to tell you you are enrolled and how it may affect your rent and money. You could not be in this pilot and Family Self-Sufficiency at the same time. You could opt out at least two weeks before the account opens and at any time later. Your Section 8 or 9 assistance could not be delayed, denied, or ended because you join or do not join. You would not have to sign a participation contract or training plan.
Escrow savings pilot for HUD renters
This bill would create an escrow pilot for HUD-assisted renters, at up to 25 sites serving up to 5,000 families. Sites would open interest-bearing accounts within 6 months and deposit any rent increase caused by your earned income. Your rent would still be set under normal Section 8 rules. You could usually withdraw after 5 years, earlier for approved goals or if you stop housing help, and by year 7 at the latest. The pilot would end 10 years after enactment.
Income shield and 80% AMI cap
While you are enrolled, HUD would not count your increases in earned income when deciding eligibility or benefit amounts for HUD-run programs. Escrow deposits would not be allowed if your adjusted income is above 80% of area median income. You would have to recertify income at least once each year, and possibly more often.
How HUD would pick and fund pilots
Entities would apply, and HUD would pick a mix across states, urban and rural areas, public housing agencies, and private owners within 18 months. HUD could waive some rules to run the pilot and let sites use Section 8 or 9 funds for escrow deposits, offset by rent increases. The bill would authorize $5 million in FY 2026 for technical help and an evaluation, and the funds would remain available until spent. HUD would study outcomes and report to Congress within 8 years after site selection.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Torres, Ritchie [D-NY-15]
NY • D
Cosponsors
Timmons
SC • R
Sponsored 7/14/2025
Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3]
IA • R
Sponsored 10/6/2025
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7]
MA • D
Sponsored 10/31/2025
Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6]
LA • D
Sponsored 11/17/2025
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3]
OH • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5]
GA • D
Sponsored 12/1/2025
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 3/18/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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