Whole‑Home Repairs Included in Major Federal Housing Proposal

We’re excited to share that the Whole‑Home Repairs Act has been included in the ROAD to Housing Act of 2025, a bipartisan housing package that’s being called a historic moment for federal housing policy.

This is a significant development for those of us working to expand access to safe, healthy, and affordable homes. It signals growing recognition that home repair and rehab are essential tools in the broader housing conversation—not afterthoughts, but foundational supports.

The Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee will hold an executive session on Tuesday, July 29 at 10:00 a.m. ET. You can watch the livestream here.

What Would the Whole‑Home Repairs Pilot Program Do?

If enacted, the bill would establish a pilot program at HUD focused on comprehensive home repairs, supporting both low-income homeowners and small landlords whose units serve as affordable housing.

For Homeowners:

• Grants would help low-income homeowners (typically at or below 80% of area median income) pay for essential repairs not covered by other federal programs.

• Eligible recipients could include owner-occupants of single-family homes, inherited homes, or manufactured housing.

• Grant amounts would vary depending on local construction costs and the scope of repairs needed.

For Small Landlords:

• The program would offer loans, including forgivable loans, to small landlords (those with fewer than 10 rental properties) for repairs to individual affordable units, shared spaces, and structural systems.
  Loans could be forgiven after three years if the landlord meets affordability and compliance terms.

Who Would Administer the Program?

States and local governments could apply to become implementing organizations. These organizations could:

• Administer the program directly, or

• Partner with nonprofits, tribal housing entities, or other qualified subrecipients to deliver repairs.

HUD would select between 2 and 10 implementing organizations per year, with no more than one per state. The pilot is authorized to use up to $30 million (higher than what was first introduced), drawing from programs administered by HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.

The program would be in place through October 1, 2031, allowing time for communities to build local capacity and share lessons learned.

Learn More and Stay Engaged:

Read more about the ROAD to Housing Act here.

We’ll be watching the markup on July 29 and continuing to follow the progress of this legislation. If you’re interested in supporting repair and rehab at the federal level, now is a good time to get familiar with what’s in the bill and share it with others in your network.

If you’re interested in showing support, consider sharing the news, watching the markup, and/or reaching out to your elected officials to let them know that repair and rehab matter in your community.