Yes in God's Backyard Act

Affordable housing on faith and college land

If enacted, the bill would create HUD programs to turn underused faith- and college-owned land into affordable rental housing. The Secretary would set up a Technical Assistance Program. It would get $25 million for FY2026 and $10 million each year for FY2027–FY2031. The bill would also fund a competitive Challenge Grant program with $50 million each year for FY2026–FY2031. The Secretary could use up to 10 percent of Challenge Grant funds for administration. The bill would define "affordable rental housing" as rent no more than 30 percent of a covered household's income. A "covered household" would have income at or below 100 percent of area median income. Grants and guidance would prioritize households at or below 60 percent of AMI, extremely low-income families, people who are homeless or at risk (including veterans), people with disabilities, and intergenerational households. Applicants would have to publicly post proposed plans, solicit comments, and address them, and grantees would have to report data the Secretary requires. HUD would consult the Partnership Center, USDA, Treasury, and HHS.