Rep. Flood Introduces the Whole-Home Repairs Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood (R-NE) and Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA) introduced the Whole-Home Repairs Act. This bill would create a pilot program run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to bring resources to low- and moderate-income homeowners and some small landlords with properties in need of serious repair.
“America is in the midst of a housing crisis, and we need an all-of-the-above approach to address it,” said Congressman Flood. “This bill takes existing resources and puts them to work to improve the quality of rundown housing units. In an era when Americans are reeling from the impacts of inflation, our bill helps give working families a boost as they work to keep up with rising maintenance costs. Thank you to Congresswoman Williams for joining me to lead this effort in the House and to Senators Fetterman and Lummis for championing the Senate version.”
“For too many families, rising home maintenance costs are forcing difficult choices—leaving many to live with dangerous health and safety risks,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams. “This is especially true for seniors on fixed incomes who are struggling to stay in the homes they’ve worked so hard to maintain. As a homeowner, I know our homes are often our most valuable investment and a foundation of generational wealth. The Whole-Home Repairs Act will help low- and moderate-income homeowners make critical repairs, ensuring their homes remain safe, secure, and an asset they can pass on to future generations.”
In 2018, estimates found that there were $126.9 billion in needed repairs for substandard housing across nearly every income level. Over time, these homes can descend into greater and greater states of disrepair until ultimately becoming dilapidated or abandoned housing stock.
“The Whole-Home Repair Act is a critical step toward ensuring that every person has access to a safe and stable home. By prioritizing the repair and preservation of our existing housing stock, we’re not just fixing buildings—we’re investing in communities, creating pathways to economic opportunity, and promoting long-term sustainability. A well-maintained home strengthens neighborhoods, boosts property values, and helps people remain in their homes for the long term. This act lays the foundation for stronger, more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said Charles Wesche, NeighborWorks Lincoln CEO
The Whole-Home Repairs Act creates a pilot program under HUD to provide grants to states, localities or qualified non-profits to carry out a whole-home repairs program. The bill authorizes $25 million in funding for this pilot program, but it pulls the money from the HUD Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Housing. This office has been appropriated more money than it could obligate multiple years in a row, and it had over $700 million in carryover funding as of early 2024.
The Whole-Home Repairs Act is supported by the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, Inc., NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska, and NeighborWorks Lincoln.
The Senate version of the bill is led by Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) and Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY). More information about the Senate version can be found here.