Representatives Moore, Barr, Panetta Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Increase Access to Homeownership
WASHINGTON - Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT), Andy Barr (R-KY), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase access to homeownership for young Americans.
The Shared Home Appreciation for Residential Equity (SHARE) Act encourages private capital to invest in shared appreciation mortgages (SAMs) by making the returns attributed to these pools tax-exempt. The beneficial tax treatment is limited to investments in SAMs used for down payment assistance for families making less than 140% Area Median Income, and do not accrue interest or require monthly payments.
“For many Americans, owning a home has long been the most reliable path to building wealth and providing stability for the family. Unfortunately, the American Dream is becoming increasingly more difficult to achieve," Rep. Moore said. "Housing affordability is a top concern for Utahns who are often priced out due to rising costs and interest rates. I am proud to introduce the Shared Home Appreciation for Residential Equity (SHARE) Act to incentivize investment in shared appreciation mortgages for new homebuyers. We live in a young state with young families who are eager to put down roots and purchase their first home, and this legislation will help them do that."
“Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American Dream, but for too many families, it’s becoming unattainable,” Rep. Barr said. “The SHARE Act helps change that by opening new pathways to ownership through private investment while safeguarding borrowers every step of the way. This is about making sure we’re looking out for Americans and Kentuckians alike and giving more families the opportunity to put down roots and build lasting stability. I’m proud to cosponsor the SHARE Act because it delivers real solutions for Americans.”
“The American dream of homeownership remains out of reach for far too many working families who can’t afford to borrow at today’s high mortgage rates,” Rep. Panetta said. “The SHARE ACT creates a pathway to ownership by unlocking investment in innovative financing tools that help make homeownership achievable for more Americans. As families struggle with sky-high housing costs, we must expand access to mortgages on terms that give people the opportunities to fulfill their dreams.”
"We are at risk of an entire generation missing out on the financial freedom and community benefits that come from owning your own home. Governments should encourage the development of financial tools like Fair Share Appreciation Mortgages that prioritize the dignity and long-term outcomes for hard-working Americans who are ready for homeownership. We're very grateful that Congress is making common sense adjustments needed to make it possible,” said Marcus Martin, Homium CEO.
“Homeownership is the backbone of economic mobility and financial security. This bill helps create a market-based solution to unlock potentially $ billions in private capital to make first time homeownership affordable to all Americans without subsidizing demand,” said Chairman Jim Sorenson, Sorenson Impact Foundation.
Background:
Homeownership rates have plateaued at ~65% nationally, while nearly three-quarters of households are priced out of buying a median-priced home under standard mortgage terms. Without innovative interventions, these trends will continue, and homeownership will stay out of reach for many young families.
A SAM is a type of home loan where the borrower agrees to give the lender a portion of the future appreciation of the home’s value in lieu of a set interest rate. Certain types of SAMs carry no interest rate and impose no monthly payment obligations. In most cases, these are used as a second loan to help prospective homebuyers afford a down payment and lower their monthly payments on their first mortgage.
These SAMs can be deployed as an innovative solution to the home affordability crisis by bridging the affordability gap and empowering lower-income or working-class borrowers to qualify for and afford a conforming first mortgage. SAMs are used in down payment assistance programs sponsored by states, municipalities, and non-profit organizations.
For example, if a family is looking to buy a home valued at $300,000, a SAM provider could lend the family $60,000 (or 20% of the home’s value) for a down payment on the home. This enables the borrower to qualify for an affordable first mortgage for the balance. A decade later, when the family sells the home, its value has appreciated to $360,000. At that point, the family would owe the SAM lender $72,000 (the amount borrowed plus 20% of the appreciation). During the years in the home, the family benefits from the financial freedom of no monthly payments on the SAM and growing home equity as the first mortgage is paid down and the home value appreciates.
In the SHARE Act, lenders will only be eligible for this tax exemption if the shared appreciation mortgage:
- Does not accrue interest and has no monthly payment obligation
- Does not impose a repayment percentage that exceeds the percentage of the home value borrowed
- Is for a borrower at or less than 140% area median income and for a primary residence
- Does not exceed 49% of the property purchase price
- Is subordinate to a first lien that is a “qualified mortgage” as defined under the Truth in Lending Act
- Does not require payment before:
- The predetermined end date of the first mortgage or altered acceleration of the mortgage as outlined by the property’s first lien in accordance with the mortgage terms
- The sale of the property
- Full repayment of the first mortgage
- A default under the mortgage
Read the full bill here.
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