Affordability and Fairness for Mountain Communities Act of 2025 | ChamberLight
Bills · HR 5651
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 5651Housing and Community Development
Affordability and Fairness for Mountain Communities Act of 2025
INTRO SEP 30· LAST ACTION SEP 30
READING
6MIN
COSPONSORS
0
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 matters because it attempts to address a real-world problem where current federal housing assistance rules might not accurately reflect the cost of living for everyone. If a large county has a mix of affordable and very expensive towns, the overall county median income might be too high for someone in the expensive town to qualify for aid, even if they can't afford housing there. By allowing more localized income calculations, the bill aims to ensure that housing assistance reaches more of those struggling in specific, high-cost neighborhoods.
The required study is significant because it specifically targets the unique housing challenges in "mountain communities," which often face rapidly rising costs due to tourism or limited development space, severely impacting low-income and seasonal workers. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more people qualifying for housing aid and potentially lead to better, more tailored housing solutions for specific regions. If it doesn't pass, these communities and individuals might continue to struggle with housing affordability under existing rules that may not fully account for localized economic realities.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a waiver program allowing county governments to calculate Area Median Income (AMI) using a ZIP Code or a group of bordering counties.
This provides local governments with more flexibility to target housing assistance to specific high-cost areas within their jurisdiction, making more people eligible.
PROVISION 02
Makes the waiver automatically granted to any county government or equivalent unit that submits an application to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
This streamlines the process for local governments to adopt more localized AMI calculations without a competitive or complex approval process.
PROVISION 03
Directs the Secretary of HUD to conduct a study on alternative methods for calculating AMI and other metrics to improve housing affordability in mountain communities.
This mandates research into better ways to address the unique and severe housing challenges faced by low-income and seasonal workers in these specific regions.
PROVISION 04
Requires HUD to submit a public report to Congress within two years, detailing the study's findings and recommending reforms for AMI use in mountain communities.
This ensures the research findings are shared with policymakers and the public, potentially leading to future legislative or administrative changes.
PROVISION 05
Defines the specific federal housing programs that are considered "covered programs" and therefore eligible for these localized AMI calculations.
This clarifies the scope of the bill, listing numerous public housing, rental assistance, and supportive housing programs affected by the changes.
This bill matters because it attempts to address a real-world problem where current federal housing assistance rules might not accurately reflect the cost of living for everyone. If a large county has a mix of affordable and very expensive towns, the overall county median income might be too high for someone in the expensive town to qualify for aid, even if they can't afford housing there. By allowing more localized income calculations, the bill aims to ensure that housing assistance reaches more of those struggling in specific, high-cost neighborhoods.
The required study is significant because it specifically targets the unique housing challenges in "mountain communities," which often face rapidly rising costs due to tourism or limited development space, severely impacting low-income and seasonal workers. If this bill becomes law, it could lead to more people qualifying for housing aid and potentially lead to better, more tailored housing solutions for specific regions. If it doesn't pass, these communities and individuals might continue to struggle with housing affordability under existing rules that may not fully account for localized economic realities.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a waiver program allowing county governments to calculate Area Median Income (AMI) using a ZIP Code or a group of bordering counties.
This provides local governments with more flexibility to target housing assistance to specific high-cost areas within their jurisdiction, making more people eligible.
med
Makes the waiver automatically granted to any county government or equivalent unit that submits an application to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
This streamlines the process for local governments to adopt more localized AMI calculations without a competitive or complex approval process.
high
Directs the Secretary of HUD to conduct a study on alternative methods for calculating AMI and other metrics to improve housing affordability in mountain communities.
This mandates research into better ways to address the unique and severe housing challenges faced by low-income and seasonal workers in these specific regions.
high
Requires HUD to submit a public report to Congress within two years, detailing the study's findings and recommending reforms for AMI use in mountain communities.
This ensures the research findings are shared with policymakers and the public, potentially leading to future legislative or administrative changes.
med
Defines the specific federal housing programs that are considered "covered programs" and therefore eligible for these localized AMI calculations.
This clarifies the scope of the bill, listing numerous public housing, rental assistance, and supportive housing programs affected by the changes.
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish the waiver program.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall submit and make publicly available a report on the study findings regarding mountain communities.
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Area Median Income (AMI)
The midpoint income for a specific geographic area; half of the households in that area earn more than the AMI, and half earn less. It is often used to determine eligibility for affordable housing programs.
Waiver program
A system that allows for an exception to a rule or standard requirement, in this case, regarding how Area Median Income is calculated for housing programs.
Covered program
Specific federal housing assistance programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Department of Agriculture that are impacted by this bill's provisions.
High housing cost adjustment
An increase to income limits for housing programs in areas where the cost of housing, construction, or living is unusually high compared to the median income.
Mountain communities
Rural areas located in the Mountain Division within the Census Bureau's Western Region, as specifically defined by the bill.
Secretary
Refers to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), who is responsible for implementing this Act.
Seasonal workers
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
SEP 30, 25
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
SEP 30, 25
Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
Individuals who work in jobs that are available only during certain parts of the year, often impacted by tourism or agricultural cycles, and who may face specific housing challenges.
