Bill > HR3214

This bill introduces comprehensive measures to address housing affordability and prevent price gouging during housing crises. The HOME Act of 2025 empowers the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to declare an "affordable housing crisis period" when specific economic conditions are met, during which it becomes illegal to rent or sell housing at "unconscionably excessive" prices. The bill establishes a new Housing Monitoring and Enforcement Unit within HUD to collect and analyze housing market data, track institutional investor purchases, and identify potential market manipulations. It allows state attorneys general to bring civil actions against price gougers and requires HUD to investigate housing price manipulation, including examining the impact of mergers, acquisitions, and non-occupant investors. The legislation also mandates joint efforts by federal agencies to identify unfair tenant screening practices and requires the Attorney General and Federal Trade Commission to review anti-competitive behaviors in housing markets. Penalties collected from violations will be deposited into the Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing for low-income families. Additionally, the bill instructs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to establish standards preventing egregious rent increases in multifamily housing, demonstrating a comprehensive approach to protecting consumers in the housing market.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3214/all-info