The Faith in Housing Act of 2025 allows religious organizations to build affordable housing on their property while overriding most state and local zoning laws that would normally prevent such construction. Religious institutions that own land can notify local zoning authorities of their intent to build housing that meets federal affordability standards—keeping units affordable for 30 years and accessible to residents earning up to 140 percent of area median income—and proceed with construction as long as the housing involves interstate commerce or federal assistance. The bill applies only when religious organizations formally notify local authorities of their election to use these federal protections, and it preserves state and local authority to enforce building codes, conduct inspections, and maintain rules specifically designed to prevent site-specific hazards like flooding or wildfires. The legislation also allows affected parties to sue in federal court for violations and recover attorneys' fees. Congress bases this action on findings that housing shortages and rising costs contribute to homelessness and that religious organizations' charitable efforts to address these problems are unnecessarily blocked by local land use regulations.
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