Stephanie Tubbs Jones Assets for Independence Reauthorization Act of 2017
Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 4, 2017
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Assets for Independence Reauthorization Act of 2017
This bill reauthorizes through FY2022 and otherwise amends the Assets for Independence Act, which provides for demonstration projects to fund individual development accounts (IDAs). (IDAs are matched savings accounts through which low-income individuals may save targeted amounts for qualifying purposes such as first-time home ownership or post-secondary education.)
With respect to IDAs, the bill expands: (1) qualifying educational expenses; and (2) qualifying expenses for home replacement, repair, or improvement.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Read full official summaryShow less
In addition, with respect to demonstration projects, the bill: (1) requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to give special consideration to applications from victims of domestic violence, individuals who are or have been in foster care, and certain other categories of individuals; (2) revises income-eligibility requirements; (3) modifies procedures related to terminated projects; and (4) revises other specified requirements and limitations.
An individual who is a recent or current victim of domestic violence shall not, for purposes of project participation, fail to qualify as a first-time homebuyer by reason of having a co-ownership interest in a principal residence with a person who committed domestic violence against the individual.
HHS may use funds appropriated under the Act to cover certain necessary training costs.
HHS is authorized to waive certain project requirements and limitations.
Source last updated: Aug 11, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.271 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine H.R.271 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine H.R.271 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine H.R.271 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.