Bill > S2668

This bill, called the HOME Act of 2025, aims to protect consumers from price gouging in residential rental and housing markets during affordable housing crises. The bill empowers the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to declare an affordable housing crisis based on factors like mortgage interest rates, median home prices, and household income. During such a crisis, it would be illegal for landlords or sellers to charge "unconscionably excessive" prices that exploit the housing shortage. The bill establishes enforcement mechanisms, including allowing the Secretary and state attorneys general to take legal action against violators. Additionally, the bill creates a new Housing Monitoring and Enforcement Unit within HUD to collect and analyze housing market data, monitor institutional investor purchases of single-family homes, and investigate potential market manipulation. The legislation also requires joint investigations by HUD, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to identify unfair tenant screening practices and calls for a review of anti-competitive behaviors in housing markets. Penalties collected would be deposited into a Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing for low-income families. The bill applies to the 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories, and does not preempt existing state laws.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/2668/all-info