Access to Homeownership Act
Sponsored By: Representative Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
Introduced
Summary
Requires federally backed multifamily landlords to request tenant consent and report up to 24 months of on-time rent payments to consumer credit bureaus so those payments can be used in mortgage insurance applications.
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- Renters: If they agree, positive rent payments can appear on their credit reports and be considered when applying for mortgage insurance under section 203 of the National Housing Act.
- Multifamily borrowers (property owners): Would have to request resident consent and report payments when consent is given. Enterprises would cover the administrative costs of reporting.
- Mortgage applicants: Lenders and insurers could count documented rent payment history when evaluating applications for FHA-insured mortgages.
- Federal oversight and scope: The Federal Housing Finance Agency would order enterprises like Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to run the program, apply it to federally backed multifamily loans (properties of 5+ units), and file a report to Congress every 5 years. Authorization of appropriations is included to carry out the program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
FHA would count your rent history
Positive rent payments reported under this program would be counted when you apply for an FHA‑insured mortgage. Lenders and FHA would have to consider this rent history in your application. Only rent reported through the program would count.
Renters in federally backed buildings can build credit
The FHFA Director would require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to run a rent‑reporting program. Owners with covered multifamily loans would have to ask residents to consent and, if they agree, report on‑time rent to credit bureaus. Reports would include up to 24 months of prior positive rent, if available. Coverage would apply to properties with 5 or more units and a federally backed mortgage, including HUD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac; short‑term construction loans would be excluded. The enterprises would cover reporting costs, FHFA would report to Congress every 5 years, and Congress could provide money if needed.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Johnson, Julie [D-TX-32]
TX • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]
MI • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/15/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Rep. Sykes, Emilia Strong [D-OH-13]
OH • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 11/19/2025
Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16]
NY • D
Sponsored 3/26/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov