PRIA Logo™
119-hr-6228119th CongressWALLET

Unlocking Affordable Housing Act

Sponsored By: Representative 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.

Show full summary

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.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

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.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8]

    PA • R

    Sponsored 11/20/2025

  • Rep. McBride, Sarah [D-DE-At Large]

    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.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation