Bill · S. 2720· Senate(119-S-2720)
Yes in God's Backyard Act
- Introduced
- 9/4/2025
- Last activity
- 9/4/2025 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Warner
- Cosponsors
- - 5 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Yes in God's Backyard Act" aims to increase the supply of affordable rental housing. It directs the Secretary to establish a technical assistance program for faith-based organizations, institutions of higher education, and local governments. This program focuses on removing barriers to producing and preserving housing on property owned by these specific entities. Additionally, the bill establishes a competitive "Challenge Grant" program for eligible local and state entities. These grants are intended to support the removal of policy barriers and the development of affordable housing.
Yes· 3 of 15
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically targets the creation of housing for extremely low-income families and those at or below 60 percent of area median income.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+8
The bill specifically prioritizes the development of accessible rental housing for individuals with disabilities.
Does this make housing cost less?+8
The bill provides technical assistance and grants specifically to increase the supply of affordable rental housing.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Affordable Housing Supply: The technical assistance program aims to help develop excess property owned by faith-saced organizations and institutions of higher education into affordable rental housing (Section 291(a)).
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Targeted Support for Vulnerable Groups: The bill prioritizes housing for specific populations, including individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, including veterans (Section 291(b)(2)(B) and Section 292(d)(3)).
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Support for Individuals with Disabilities: Provisions include the development of accessible rental housing for individuals with disabilities (Section 291(b)(2)(C) and Section 292(d)(4)).
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Support for Specific Income Levels: The bill focuses on creating housing for households at or below 60 percent of area median income (Section 291(b)(2)(A)) and extremely low-income families (Section 292(d)(2)).
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Intergenerational and Special Needs Housing: The bill provides for housing for intergenerational families and other special needs populations as determined by the Secretary (Section 291(b)(2)(D-E) and Section 292(d)(6)).
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Improved Equitable Access: The program seeks to increase equitable access to well-resourced areas of opportunity (Section 291(b)(2)(F) and Section 292(d)(1)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts or burdens are explicitly stated in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+8Good For People With Disabilities+8Good For Veterans+7Good For Children+3Good For Seniors+3Good For Young Adults+3Good For Hispanic Americans+2Good For Middle Class Households+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+8Reduces Homelessness+6Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+2Increases Job Creation+2
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+2
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+1
- 9/17/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
2 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Angela AlsobrooksDemocrat · Maryland
Lisa Blunt RochesterDemocrat · Delaware
Timothy KaineDemocrat · Virginia
Andy KimDemocrat · New Jersey
Brian SchatzDemocrat · Hawaii