House Panel Votes to Increase HUD Funding by $6.8 Billion
The House Appropriations Committee today voted to approve $56.5 billion for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for fiscal year 2022, an increase of $6.8 billion above the fiscal year 2021 level.
The legislation:
- Includes $29.2 billion for the Section 8 Tenant-based Rental Assistance program to continue to serve more than 2.3 million very low- and extremely low-income households nationwide.
- Provides $14 billion for the Section 8 Project-based Rental Assistance program to continue to house more than 1.2 million very low- and low-income households nationwide, an increase of $545 million above fiscal year 2021.
- Doubles funding for the Choice Neighborhoods Initiativeto $400 million, an increase of $200 million above fiscal year 2021.
- Provides $3.7 billion for Community Development Block Grants, an increase of $265 million above fiscal year 2021. This also includes $1.85 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which has helped preserve approximately 1.33 million affordable homes.
- Includes $50 million for a new down payment assistance program to help first-time, first-generation home buyers purchase a home.
H-2B Win
In a related development, the House Appropriations Committee also passed its fiscal year 2022 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies funding bill that will allow builders to employ workers who have H-2B guest worker visas. The bill originally contained problematic provisions that would have prohibited construction’s use of the H-2B program.
NAHB sent a letter to members of the Appropriations Committee urging them to remove these provisions from the legislation, and an amendment introduced by Rep. Andy Harris (D-Md.) to do so was approved by a voice vote. As a result, residential construction firms will be able to hire foreign workers with H-2B visas who come temporarily to the United States to perform temporary non-agricultural services or labor — including construction work — on a one-time, seasonal, peakload or intermittent basis.
Latest from NAHBNow
Advocacy
Dec 12, 2025
Judge Determines FEMA’s Termination of BRIC Program UnlawfulA federal judge ruled that the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s termination of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program was unlawful and issued a permanent injunction restoring the program. This action is of note to the housing community because NAHB has been pushing Congress to pass the Promoting Resilient Buildings Act, which would allow jurisdictions to qualify for BRIC funds if they have adopted one of the latest two code cycles.
Safety
Dec 12, 2025
Preventing Cold, Flu and COVID Illnesses on Jobsites Starts with a PlanIn the construction industry, working outdoors may appear to create less risk for catching a cold, flu, and COVID-19, but it’s crucial to understand that these illnesses can still spread while working in close proximity in any conditions.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 15, 2025
Builder Sentiment Inches Higher but Ends the Year in Negative TerritoryBuilder confidence inched higher to end the year but still remains well into negative territory as builders continue to grapple with rising construction costs, tariff and economic uncertainty, and many potential buyers remaining on the sidelines due to affordability concerns.
Economics
Dec 11, 2025
Homeownership Rate Inches Up to 65.3%The latest homeownership rate rose to 65.3% in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Census’s Housing Vacancy Survey (HVS).
Economics
Dec 10, 2025
No Risk-Free Path: Fed Eases Monetary PolicyThe central bank’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) cut rates a third and final time in 2025, reducing the target range for the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a 3.5% to 3.75% range. This reduction will help reduce financing costs of builder and developer loans.