Harder’s Bills to Build More Homes Headed to the President’s Desk

Note: This Opportunity Zone (OZ) bill applies to communities that have Opportunity Zones, which would include places like the City of Antioch and the City of Pittsburg.

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 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options like manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) offer families an early path to homeownership, but outdated financing rules are limiting these options.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.

The President is expected to sign the historic housing package into law tomorrow, June 24, 2026.

Editor Note: Antioch Added to Opportunity Zone in 2018… with the intent for economic development, not housing. 

Antioch: Somersville Towne Center Area Approved For Inclusion in State Opportunity Zones Initiative

Brentwood, CA — Contra Costa County Board of Supervisor Diane Burgis is pleased to announce that Antioch land tracts nominated for Governor Brown’s designation as Opportunity Zones were included in the March 22nd submission to the federal government.

Opportunity Zones incentivize development by deferring or eliminating federal capital gains taxes. A successful designation could lead to improvements and redevelopment at the mall and in the surrounding areas.

Supervisor Burgis remarked, “I’ve spoken with Antioch business and city leaders and I know that the Somersville mall area is a priority for the city. We worked together with the City, State Senator Steve Glazer’s office, the Antioch Chamber of Commerce, and the mall’s executive team to coordinate comments to California’s Department of Finance. I’m pleased that our collaboration proved successful.”

“We’re pleased that the Governor’s office has recognized the benefit of increasing the number of Opportunity Zones in Antioch. We’re doing all we can to partner with our business owners to redevelop underperforming commercial centers and neighborhoods. This financial incentive for investors is another tool that can be used toward achieving continued economic development and job creation in Antioch and our region,” said Ron Bernal, City Manager.

Antioch Mayor Sean Wright adds, “I am excited to see collaboration pay off in a big win for Antioch.  Our inclusion in the opportunity zones will help to create investment and redevelopment of vital areas in our community.”

From the business community, Somersville Towne Center General Manager Julie Neward offers, ”Somersville Towne Center is appreciative of the efforts made by the local Community Leaders to add the census tracts in the Somersville District to the Federal Opportunity Zone Program, which will offer a driver for economic growth in the area, thereby supporting the local community through employment and business offerings. “

According to the March 21 letter by Governor Jerry Brown, California has a total of 3,5 qualified census tracts, the governor has developed the list down to 879 census tracts that represent 57 of California’s 58 counties.

More info: The county has 17 federally designated Opportunity Zones. They are primarily located in older industrial and urban areas. You can find zones within the following cities and communities: [