FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 26, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) introduced the Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2026, legislation that would address the housing crisis by targeting the flaws in the Area Median Income (AMI) metric used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine rent prices and income limits for affordable units. The current method for calculating AMI continues to exclude low-income families, many of whom belong to communities of color, from housing that is intended for them.

Nationwide, just under half of all renters face a rent burden exceeding 30% of their income, and almost 1 in 4 renters contribute more than 50% of their income to rent every single month. The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act of 2026 addresses these challenges by directing HUD to conduct an assessment of more inclusive calculation methods of the AMI, as well as to submit a report to Congress detailing its post-assessment findings and recommendations for reforming or eliminating the use of AMI. Additionally, the legislation authorizes $15 billion to various housing programs nationwide to combat these issues.

“Too often in America, housing that is alleged to be affordable remains out of reach for the low-income families who need it the most. We can tie a direct line between that failure and the flaws within HUD’s current methods for calculating Area Median Income, which do not adequately reflect the complexity of our communities or the modern challenges they face.” said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09). “Defeating the housing crisis will demand precise policy solutions that address the core issues behind affordable housing’s inaccessibility. My legislation will correct the method by which AMI is calculated and ensure the families who are already overburdened by rising costs are not losing sleep over finding a home that fits their budget.”

“Our country’s housing crisis is directly impacting our neighborhoods. The formula for the area median income (AMI) calculation is creating barriers to real affordable housing. Advocates are calling for changes to the current formula,” said Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (MI-12). “The Affordable Housing and Area Median Income Fairness Act helps address the urgent need for more truly affordable housing by supporting local AMI measurements that better reflect the realities of different communities and allow housing policies to meet people’s actual needs.”

“We all feel it—rent is way too high,” said Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (NJ-08). “As our nation stares down a housing affordability crisis, federal housing assistance is as important as ever, it’s our duty in Congress to ensure housing assistance is accessible to every family that needs it. At a time when people are working two or three jobs to make rent, and so many families are struggling with the rising cost of housing, this bill introduces much-needed flexibility into AMI calculations to help housing assistance eligibility be more aligned with the reality people are facing each day.”

Read the full bill text HERE.

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