S 2720119th CongressIn Committee

Yes in God's Backyard Act

Introduced: Sep 4, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Yes in God's Backyard Act would add a new Subtitle G to the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to help faith-based organizations, colleges and universities, and local governments remove barriers and expand the supply of affordable rental housing on property they own. It creates a Federal program to provide technical assistance (guidance, best practices, and information) and grants to support development and preservation of affordable housing on such properties. It also establishes a competitive Challenge Grant program to fund eligible local and state entities that adopt policies removing barriers to housing on faith-based or higher-ed property, with preferences for serving lower-income households, veterans, the homeless, people with disabilities, and other specified groups. The act authorizes specific funding for these activities through 2031. Overall, the bill aims to mobilize religious and educational property to increase affordable rental housing, with an emphasis on targeted income levels and inclusion across communities.

Key Points

1Establishes a new Subtitle G (Technical Assistance and Grants) under Title II of the National Affordable Housing Act to remove barriers and increase affordable rental housing on property owned by faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education.
2Technical Assistance Program (Sec. 291): The Secretary must create a program to help faith-based organizations, higher education institutions, and local governments develop and preserve affordable rental housing on their property. It covers converting excess property to housing, housing across various needs (60% area median income, homeless/veterans, accessible housing, intergenerational housing, other special needs, and opportunities in well-resourced areas), plus guidance on federal housing programs, best practices, and collaboration with the Partnership Center and other agencies. Funding: $25 million for FY 2026; $10 million for each of FY 2027–2031; resources must be publicly accessible.
3Challenge Grant Program (Sec. 292): Creates competitive grants to eligible grantees (state, unit of general local government, metropolitan planning organization, or multi-jurisdiction entity) that have policies removing barriers to housing on faith-based or higher-ed property. Applicants must show policies, publish plans and solicit public comments, and address feedback. Preference points are given for projects serving households below 60% AMI, extremely low-income families, homeless or at risk, disabled individuals, intergenerational households, and other designated special needs. Allowable uses include policy reform, outreach, grants/loans to housing projects, and other barrier-removal activities. Reporting requirements and up to 10% admin costs are included. Funding: $50 million per year from FY 2026–2031, with administrative cap.
4Definitions and scope: Sets terms for affordable rental housing (rent ≤ 30% of household income), covered households (≤ 100% of area median income), extremely low-income, homeless, faith-based organization, institution of higher education, Partnership Center, and related terms. Emphasizes housing on property owned by faith-based or higher-ed entities and prioritizes development in well-resourced areas of opportunity.
5Administration and coordination: Requires consultation with the Partnership Center and other federal agencies (Agriculture, Treasury, HHS) and dissemination of resources to the public.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected- Residents seeking affordable rental housing, especially those with extremely low income, those at or below 60% AMI, veterans, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, and individuals with disabilities.- Faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education that own property and could develop or preserve housing on that land.Secondary group/area affected- Local and state governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and multi-jurisdiction entities that would participate as eligible grantees or partners.- Communities in well-resourced areas of opportunity where housing could be expanded, potentially addressing housing availability near resources and employment centers.Additional impacts- Federal funding and program administration would increase, with specific annual appropriations through 2031 and reporting requirements for grantees.- Policy changes at the local level to remove barriers (regulatory, procedural, and land-use) to housing production on faith-based and higher-education property.- Potential collaboration among faith-based groups, colleges/universities, local governments, and federal agencies, and engagement with the Partnership Center.- Considerations about housing placement and equitable access, since the plan emphasizes housing in well-resourced areas of opportunity and on properties owned by faith-based or educational institutions.Affordable rental housing: rent generally not exceeding 30% of a household’s income.Covered household: income at or below 100% of the area median income (AMI).Extremely low-income: a defined category in line with the standard federal definitions (as used in existing housing programs).Well-resourced areas of opportunity: higher-opportunity neighborhoods that this bill aims to increase housing in, though the exact definition would be guided by Secretary’s determinations in implementing the program.LEGACY Act (intergenerational housing): provisions that allow intergenerational living arrangements; referenced here for certain housing types.

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