H.R. 6957: Yes in God's Backyard Act

The proposed bill, known as the “Yes in God's Backyard Act,” aims to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable rental housing by providing technical assistance and financial grants to faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and local governments. Here’s a breakdown of the key components of the bill:

Definitions

• Affordable Rental Housing: Housing where rent does not exceed 30% of the monthly income of a household classified as “covered” (earning at or below 100% of the area median income).
• At Risk of Homelessness: Defined in existing legislation to identify individuals and families vulnerable to losing their homes.
• Covered Household: Households with income at or below 100% of the area median income.
• Extremely Low-Income Families: Families earning significantly less than the area median income, as defined by the housing laws.
• Faith-Based Organization: Organizations affiliated with religious faiths that may receive assistance through the government’s partnership programs.
• Homeless: Individuals without stable housing, defined under existing federal law.
• Institution of Higher Education: Colleges or universities as defined by the Higher Education Act.

Technical Assistance Program

The bill mandates the establishment of a program to provide technical assistance to faith-based organizations and educational institutions aimed at:

• Understanding how to develop or preserve affordable rental housing on properties they own.
• Developing housing for low-income families, individuals experiencing homelessness, persons with disabilities, and diverse generations.
• Providing federal assistance and information related to housing programs.
• Sharing best practices for housing development and management.
• Engaging with state and local governments to promote the production of affordable rental housing in desirable areas.

Challenge Grants

The bill establishes a Challenge Grant program to financially support eligible entities (such as local governments and educational institutions) that:

• Have policies designed to eliminate barriers to affordable housing creation on their properties.
• Demonstrate through a competitive application process their commitment to removing such barriers.
• Solicit public feedback on their plans and report on community input in grant applications.

Preference Criteria for Grants

When awarding grants, preference will be given to projects aimed at:

• Creating housing for families below 60% of area median income.
• Providing housing for extremely low-income families.
• Supporting individuals and families facing homelessness or risks of homelessness.
• Ensuring accessible housing for people with disabilities.
• Addressing needs of intergenerational families or other specified groups.

Funding Provisions

The bill authorizes the appropriation of funds for these programs:

• $25 million for the technical assistance program in fiscal year 2026 and $10 million per year from 2027 to 2031.
• $50 million each year from 2026 to 2031 for the Challenge Grant program, with 10% allocated for administrative costs.

Consultation and Dissemination of Resources

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will consult with the Partnership Center and other federal agencies while developing assistance resources. These resources will be made publicly available to aid the various entities involved.

Overall Objectives

The legislation seeks to enhance the availability of affordable rental housing and to empower faith-based organizations, educational institutions, and local governments to actively contribute to addressing housing shortages, especially for vulnerable populations.

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