Johnson Introduces Legislation to Help Families Build Credit and Access Homeownership

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-32) introduced the Access to Homeownership Act, which empowers renters to strengthen their credit by allowing on-time rental payments to be reported to credit bureaus, boosting credit scores and opening new doors to homeownership.

“Too many families pay rent on time every single month and still face huge barriers to owning a home,” said Johnson. “At a time when our country is facing the worst housing affordability crisis in a generation, with the average home price up more than 40 percent since 2020, this bill is one step toward fixing that. It gives renters credit for the payments they already make and puts the American dream of homeownership back within reach for working families. For teachers, nurses, first responders, and so many Texans who play by the rules but feel shut out of this market, this means a chance to build real stability and generational wealth.”

Johnson’s legislation requires landlords who receive federal financing, including through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, to offer tenants the ability to opt-in to reporting their positive rental payment history. It also directs the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to consider rental history in its mortgage risk assessments, helping more families qualify for federally backed home loans.

In Congress, Johnson, who is a longtime advocate for housing equity and economic opportunity, remains focused on expanding access to affordable housing and helping working families build wealth.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.