H.R. 9677: Grad Student Affordable Housing Act of 2026

This bill would direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a new housing assistance program for certain graduate and professional students within one year of enactment.

What the program would provide

The program would give eligible graduate students tenant-based housing vouchers, meaning the assistance would follow the student rather than being tied to a specific building. If a student is approved, the voucher would cover 80% of the fair market rent for the housing unit the student chooses. The student would be responsible for the remaining 20% and any other costs not covered by the program.

Who could qualify

To be eligible, a person would need to be enrolled in a graduate or professional degree program at an eligible institution of higher education. The bill also sets income limits:

• Dependent students could qualify if their parent’s adjusted available income is no more than $40,000 for one parent, or $80,000 for two parents.
• Independent students could qualify if their own annual available income is no more than $40,000 for a single person, or $80,000 for a married person with shared income.

HUD would be allowed to adjust those income limits over time to reflect changes in the cost of living.

How it would work

The bill leaves details like the application process, timing, and required information to HUD. That means the agency would decide how students apply and how vouchers are awarded, within the framework set by the bill.

Relevant Companies

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