Unlocking Affordable Housing Act
Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
Introduced
Summary
Aligning federal transportation credit rules with HUD housing standards. This bill would direct the Secretary of Transportation, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to set creditworthiness standards for residential and mixed-use projects seeking TIFIA and RRIF financing. It would build a housing-aware framework that lets housing components be evaluated differently from pure transportation projects.
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The Impact:
- Developers and homebuilders: Residential and mixed-use developers would face HUD-aligned credit tests to qualify for TIFIA and RRIF loans, and may not always need the usual two investment-grade ratings.
- State and local project sponsors: Sponsors would see eligibility and financing decisions reference the new standards, while lines of credit would generally still require two investment-grade ratings except for projects with residential development.
- HUD and housing policy: HUD would formally consult on and help align TIFIA and RRIF credit rules with existing HUD program requirements.
- Investors and lenders: Rating-letter rules and when investment-grade thresholds apply would change for projects that include residential components.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New credit rules for housing projects
If enacted, most TIFIA lines of credit would need investment-grade ratings from two agencies. For projects with housing, DOT could accept other proof of credit strength after consulting HUD. RRIF projects with housing would use the same HUD-aligned approach. DOT and HUD would need to issue rules within 180 days of enactment. The changes would apply to loans and lines issued 180 days after enactment.
Transportation loan deadline removed and clarified
If enacted, it would remove a September 30, 2026 deadline in a TIFIA eligibility clause. It would also clarify which TIFIA rules apply to each project. Both changes would take effect 180 days after enactment.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]
MI • D
Cosponsors
Bresnahan
PA • R
Sponsored 11/20/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 12/4/2025
Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4]
NV • D
Sponsored 12/11/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 12/16/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 2/2/2026
Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]
VA • D
Sponsored 3/4/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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