Yes in God's Backyard Act

Summary#

This bill, the "Yes in God's Backyard Act," would add a new subtitle to the National Affordable Housing Act. It creates two main programs: a technical assistance program and a competitive Challenge Grant program. The technical assistance program would produce and publish resources to help faith-based organizations and institutions of higher education develop or preserve affordable rental housing on property they own. The Challenge Grant program would give competitive grants to eligible grantees (States, units of general local government, metropolitan planning organizations, and multi-jurisdiction entities) that have or adopt policies to remove barriers to such housing.

The bill defines key terms (for example, "affordable rental housing," "covered household," "faith-based organization," and others). The technical assistance resources must cover topics such as developing housing on excess property, preservation, federal funding sources, best practices, equitable access to opportunity areas, and removing state and local barriers. The Challenge Grant program requires applicants to make a public plan, solicit comments, and respond to comments. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development would administer both programs and consult with the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and other federal agencies.

What it means for you#

  • Faith-based organizations and colleges that own unused or underused property could receive help and guidance to turn that property into affordable rental housing.
  • Local governments, States, metropolitan planning organizations, and multi-jurisdiction entities can apply for competitive grants to remove local barriers, provide outreach, or make loans or grants to housing projects on such property.
  • The programs prioritize housing for lower-income households and special groups. The bill targets covered households earning up to 100% of area median income, and gives preference to projects serving families under 60% of area median income, extremely low-income families, people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness (including veterans), people with disabilities, intergenerational families, and other special needs populations.
  • The technical assistance materials created under the bill would be made publicly available.

Expenses#

  • Technical assistance program: authorized $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $10,000,000 for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031.
  • Challenge Grant program: authorized $50,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2031.
  • Of Challenge Grant funds, not more than 10 percent may be used by the Secretary for program administration.

Proponents' View#

The bill’s stated purpose is to provide technical assistance and grants to faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments to remove barriers and increase the supply of affordable rental housing on property they own. Supporters emphasize publishing best practices and offering competitive grants that prioritize lower-income households and special needs populations.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.