HOUSING: Harder’s Bills to Build More Homes in Stockton Headed to the President’s Desk

More housing grants, expanded loan financing for affordable housing

Cleared final passage in the U.S. House and Senate

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that two of his bills to build more homes in Stockton are headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Included in historic housing reforms that Harder helped negotiate, the bills received final passage from the U.S. Senate yesterday and the U.S. House today.

Harder’s Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones Act, led with Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16), requires more federal housing grants to be awarded in low-income communities. The Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act, led with Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), expands federal financing for affordable housing like manufactured homes and smaller housing units. Harder also chairs the bipartisan Build America Caucus, whose Members secured a total of 27 bills and policies in the final package.

“The dream of owning a home is out of reach for so many Valley families because we’re in a severe housing shortage - that changes starting today,” said Rep. Harder. “These bills are going to lower costs, jumpstart new construction, and unlock affordable homeownership for thousands of our neighbors. I look forward to the President signing this package into law, and to keeping this bipartisan, families-first momentum going.”

What historic housing reforms will look like on the ground in the Valley:

• New Federal Housing Grants in Stockton – Much of Stockton is in a federal Opportunity Zone, but the community is still missing targeted, long-term housing investment. Harder’s Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to give priority to Opportunity Zone communities when awarding competitive housing grants.
• Expanded Loan Financing for Affordable Housing– Housing options like manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer families an early path to homeownership, but outdated financing rules are limiting these options. Harder’s Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act increases limits on loans for manufactured homes and opens up new financing for ADUs.
• More Housing Projects Finished Faster and Cheaper– The broader package also includes provisions to cut paperwork, speed up environmental reviews, and reduce costly bureaucracy that drives up housing costs.

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