House BillHR 4872Housing and Community Development
Ending Homelessness Act of 2025
INTRO AUG 5· LAST ACTION AUG 5
READING
27MIN
COSPONSORS
24
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
This bill addresses a major societal challenge: homelessness and housing insecurity. If it becomes law, it would fundamentally change how the U.S. government approaches housing assistance by making housing vouchers an entitlement, ensuring that all eligible low-income families could receive help with rent, rather than assistance being limited by available funding each year. This could drastically reduce homelessness and housing instability for millions of Americans, potentially freeing up family budgets, improving health outcomes, and providing greater opportunities for work and education.
Without this bill, the current system of housing vouchers would remain limited by annual appropriations, meaning many eligible families would continue to be on long waiting lists or receive no assistance at all. The shift to an entitlement program, coupled with the expansion of eligible income levels, represents a significant policy change that could profoundly impact poverty rates and housing accessibility across the country. It also tackles discrimination against voucher holders and strengthens the infrastructure for homelessness assistance.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Expands the Housing Choice Voucher program by allocating 500,000 new vouchers in fiscal year 2025 and an additional 1,000,000 incremental vouchers from 2026 through 2028.
This significantly increases the immediate availability of rental assistance for low-income families.
PROVISION 02
Establishes the Housing Choice Voucher program as an entitlement starting in fiscal year 2029, meaning all eligible families would be guaranteed assistance.
This fundamentally changes the program from one with limited funding to a guaranteed benefit, potentially eliminating waiting lists.
PROVISION 03
Gradually expands eligibility for the housing choice voucher entitlement, starting with extremely low-income families in 2029 and including all low-income families by 2033.
This broadens the safety net for rental assistance to a much larger segment of the population struggling with housing costs.
PROVISION 04
Prohibits housing discrimination based on a person's source of income, such as housing vouchers.
This makes it easier for voucher holders to find housing and reduces barriers to using their assistance.
PROVISION 05
Makes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grants and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness permanent.
This provides long-term stability and funding for critical programs and coordination efforts aimed at ending homelessness.
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill addresses a major societal challenge: homelessness and housing insecurity. If it becomes law, it would fundamentally change how the U.S. government approaches housing assistance by making housing vouchers an entitlement, ensuring that all eligible low-income families could receive help with rent, rather than assistance being limited by available funding each year. This could drastically reduce homelessness and housing instability for millions of Americans, potentially freeing up family budgets, improving health outcomes, and providing greater opportunities for work and education.
Without this bill, the current system of housing vouchers would remain limited by annual appropriations, meaning many eligible families would continue to be on long waiting lists or receive no assistance at all. The shift to an entitlement program, coupled with the expansion of eligible income levels, represents a significant policy change that could profoundly impact poverty rates and housing accessibility across the country. It also tackles discrimination against voucher holders and strengthens the infrastructure for homelessness assistance.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Expands the Housing Choice Voucher program by allocating 500,000 new vouchers in fiscal year 2025 and an additional 1,000,000 incremental vouchers from 2026 through 2028.
This significantly increases the immediate availability of rental assistance for low-income families.
high
Establishes the Housing Choice Voucher program as an entitlement starting in fiscal year 2029, meaning all eligible families would be guaranteed assistance.
This fundamentally changes the program from one with limited funding to a guaranteed benefit, potentially eliminating waiting lists.
high
Gradually expands eligibility for the housing choice voucher entitlement, starting with extremely low-income families in 2029 and including all low-income families by 2033.
This broadens the safety net for rental assistance to a much larger segment of the population struggling with housing costs.
med
Prohibits housing discrimination based on a person's source of income, such as housing vouchers.
This makes it easier for voucher holders to find housing and reduces barriers to using their assistance.
med
Makes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grants and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness permanent.
This provides long-term stability and funding for critical programs and coordination efforts aimed at ending homelessness.
A federal program that helps very low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities afford safe, decent, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants pay a portion of their income for rent, and the voucher covers the rest.
Entitlement Program
A government program that guarantees benefits to a specific population, as long as they meet the established eligibility requirements. Funding is generally automatic to cover all eligible individuals, rather than being limited by annual budget appropriations.
Extremely Low-Income Family
A household whose income is 30% or less of the median income for their area, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Very Low-Income Family
A household whose income is 50% or less of the median income for their area, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Low-Income Family
A household whose income is 80% or less of the median income for their area, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Public Housing Agency (PHA)
Local or state government organizations that administer housing programs, including public housing and housing choice vouchers, for low-income residents.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
AUG 5, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
AUG 5, 25
Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Eligibility for entitlement expands to very low-income families.
Fiscal Year 2033 and after
Eligibility for entitlement expands to low-income families.
Small Area Fair Market Rents (SAFMRs)
A method of calculating the maximum rent a housing voucher will cover, based on specific ZIP code areas rather than broader metropolitan areas. This is intended to give people more options in diverse neighborhoods.
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
A federal law that provides funding for programs and services to assist people experiencing homelessness, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and outreach.
