Bill Summary
This legislation proposes a bill to facilitate the development of affordable housing through the appropriation of $10 billion in funding. It includes various programs and grants that prioritize water and energy efficiency and address the housing needs of homeless and at-risk households. The bill also authorizes the use of $5 billion for the Housing Trust Fund and sets requirements for the use of funds, including a percentage for water and energy efficiency. Additionally, the legislation includes provisions for the community development block grant program, which sets limitations and outlines eligible activities for the funds, including the development and preservation of affordable housing and the elimination of zoning restrictions. The bill aims to encourage the development of affordable and environmentally sustainable housing while avoiding incentivizing the elimination of regulations that protect various interests.
Possible Impacts
1. The provision for the use of funds for the Public Housing Capital Fund will help to improve the conditions of current affordable housing units, making them more livable for low-income individuals and families.
2. The authorization of $5 billion for the Housing Trust Fund will provide resources for the development of new affordable housing units, giving homeless and at-risk households a place to live.
3. The $10,000,000,000 allocated for affordable housing and infrastructure through the community development block grant program will not only create new affordable housing, but also eliminate zoning restrictions that can prevent the development of these units, increasing access to affordable housing for those in need.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5187 Reported in House (RH)]
<DOC>
Union Calendar No. 569
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5187
[Report No. 116-686]
To facilitate the development of affordable housing, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 20, 2019
Ms. Waters introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Financial Services
December 24, 2020
Additional sponsors: Mr. Clay, Ms. Pressley, Ms. Norton, Mr. McGovern,
Mr. Nadler, Ms. Scanlon, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Lynch, Mr. Cohen, Mr. Scott of
Virginia, Mr. Sherman, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Gonzalez of Texas,
Mr. Engel, Mr. Panetta, Mrs. Hayes, Mr. Grijalva, Mr. Thompson of
Mississippi, Mr. DeFazio, Ms. Clarke of New York, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Green
of Texas, Mr. Ted Lieu of California, Mr. Blumenauer, Ms. Jayapal, Mr.
Case, Ms. Adams, Ms. Speier, Mr. Pocan, Ms. Velazquez, Mr. Cleaver, Mr.
Garcia of Illinois, Ms. Moore, Ms. Matsui, Mr. McNerney, Ms. Lofgren,
Ms. Gabbard, Mr. Evans, Mr. Thompson of California, Mr. DeSaulnier, Mr.
Courtney, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Mr. Espaillat, Mr.
Vela, Mr. Schiff, Mr. Garamendi, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Ms. Haaland, Mr.
Carson of Indiana, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Khanna, Ms. Omar, Ms. Wilson of
Florida, Mr. Horsford, and Mr. San Nicolas
December 24, 2020
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on
November 20, 2019]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To facilitate the development of affordable housing, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Housing is Infrastructure Act of
2020''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Affordable housing is a critical part of the national
infrastructure of the United States but there is a severe
shortage of affordable housing in the United States and the
existing stock is badly in need of repair.
(2) According to a 2010 study sponsored by the Department
of Housing and Urban Development, there was a $26 billion
backlog of capital needs for public housing; that figure is
likely higher today, with some groups estimating the backlog of
capital needs for public housing to be as high as $70 billion.
(3) There are 14,000 units supported by Rural Rental
Housing Loans under section 515 of the Housing Act of 1949 and
Farm Labor Housing Loans under section 514 of the Housing Act
of 1949. According to National Rural Housing Coalition, it
would take an estimated $1 billion in the Multi-Family Housing
Revitalization Demonstration Program (MPR) funding to fully
address the capital backlog for rural housing properties.
(4) Federal investment in housing helps to create jobs and
stimulate the economy.
(5) When the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
(Public Law 111-5) was enacted, which included funding for
public housing, researchers found that for each $1.00 in direct
spending on public housing, there was an additional $2.12 of
indirect and induced economic activity nationwide for a total
economic impact of $3.12 for each $1.00 in direct spending on
public housing.
(6) According to the National Association of Home Builders,
building 100 affordable rental homes generates $11.7 million in
local income, $2,200,000 in taxes and revenue for local
governments, and 161 local jobs.
(7) Researchers estimate that the growth in the gross
domestic product from 1964-2009 would have been 13.5 percent
higher if families had better access to affordable housing,
which in turn could have led to an additional $1.7 trillion
increase in income, equivalent to $8,775 in additional wages
for each worker.
SEC. 3. PUBLIC HOUSING CAPITAL FUND.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for the
Capital Fund under section 9(d) of the United States Housing Act of
1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d)) $70,000,000,000 and any amounts appropriated
pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until the expiration
of the 5-year period beginning upon the date of such appropriation.
(b) Requirements.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
(in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall--
(1) distribute not less than 35 percent and not more than
75 percent of any amounts appropriated pursuant to subsection
(a) under the same formula used for amounts made available for
the Capital Fund for fiscal year 2020; and
(2) make available all remaining amounts by competition for
priority investments, including investments that address lead
hazards, other urgent health and safety concerns, and such
other priorities as the Secretary may identify.
(c) Timing.--The Secretary shall obligate amounts--
(1) made available under subsection (b)(1) within 30 days
of enactment of the Act appropriating such funds; and
(2) made available under subsection (b)(2) within 12 months
of enactment of the Act appropriating such funds.
(d) Limitation.--Amounts provided pursuant to this section may not
be used for operating costs or rental assistance.
(e) Use of Funds.--Not more than 0.5 percent of any amount
appropriated pursuant to this section shall be used by the Secretary
for costs associated with staff, training, technical assistance,
technology, monitoring, travel, enforcement, research, and evaluation.
(f) Supplement Not Supplant.--The Secretary shall ensure that
amounts provided pursuant to this section shall serve to supplement and
not supplant other amounts generated by a recipient of such amounts or
amounts provided by other Federal, State, or local sources.
(g) Water and Energy Efficiency.--In distributing any amounts
pursuant to subsection (b), the Secretary shall give priority to public
housing agencies located in States and localities that have a plan to
increase water and energy efficiency when developing or rehabilitating
public housing using any amounts distributed.
SEC. 4. RURAL MULTIFAMILY PRESERVATION AND REVITALIZATION DEMONSTRATION
PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out the Multifamily Preservation and Revitalization
Demonstration program of the Rural Housing Service (as authorized under
sections 514, 515, and 516 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484;
1485; 1486)) $1,000,000,000 and any amounts appropriated pursuant to
this section shall remain available until expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 5. FLOOD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program under
section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.
4104c) $1,000,000,000 and any amounts appropriated pursuant to this
section shall remain available until expended.
(b) Multifamily Residences and Attached and Semi-Attached Homes.--
With regard to any structure that is a multifamily residence or an
attached or semi-attached residence, the Administrator shall consult
with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and establish
alternative forms of mitigation.
(c) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the term
``multifamily residence'' has the same meaning as in the Flood Disaster
Protection Act of 1973 and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
SEC. 6. HOUSING TRUST FUND.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for the
Housing Trust Fund under section 1338 of the Housing and Urban
Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4568) $5,000,000,000 and any amounts
appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain available until
expended. The Secretary shall ensure that priority for occupancy in
dwelling units assisted with amounts made available pursuant to this
section that become available for occupancy shall be given to persons
and households who are homeless (as such term is defined in section 103
of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302)) or at
risk of homelessness (as such term is defined in section 401 of such
Act (42 U.S.C. 11360)).
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 7. SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING REPAIR LOANS AND GRANTS.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out single family housing repair loans and grants under
section 504 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1474) $100,000,000
and any amounts appropriated pursuant to this section shall remain
available until expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 8. NATIVE AMERICAN HOUSING BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out the Native American housing block grant program under
title I of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4111 et seq.) $1,000,000,000 and
any amounts appropriated pursuant to this section shall remain
available until expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 9. HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIPS PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated for
carrying out the HOME Investment Partnership Program under title II of
the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12721
et seq.) $5,000,000,000 and any amounts appropriated pursuant to this
section shall remain available until expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 10. PROGRAM FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$2,500,000,000 for project rental assistance under the program for
supportive housing for persons with disabilities under section
811(b)(3) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42
U.S.C. 8013(b)(3)) for State housing finance agencies and any amounts
appropriated pursuant to this section shall remain available until
expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 11. PROGRAM FOR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY.
(a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated
$2,500,000,000 for--
(1) capital advances pursuant to section 202(c)(1) of the
Housing Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q(c)(1)), including
amendments to capital advance contracts for housing for the
elderly as authorized by section 202 of such Act;
(2) project rental assistance for the elderly under section
202(c)(2) of such Act, including amendments to contracts for
such assistance and renewal of expiring contracts for such
assistance for up to a 1-year term;
(3) senior preservation rental assistance contracts,
including renewals, as authorized by section 811(e) of the
American Housing and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (12
U.S.C. 1701g note); and
(4) supportive services associated with housing assisted
under paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
(b) Availability of Amounts.--Any amounts appropriated pursuant to
this section shall remain available until September 30, 2023.
(c) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 12. CAPITAL MAGNET FUND.
(a) There is authorized to be appropriated for the Capital Magnet
Fund under section 1339 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial
Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4569) $2,500,000,000 and
any amounts appropriated pursuant to this subsection shall remain
available until expended.
(b) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available pursuant to this section shall be used only for
activities relating to water and energy efficiency and, at the
Secretary's discretion, other strategies to enhance the environmental
sustainability of housing production and design.
SEC. 13. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE
HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE.
(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--Subject to the provisions of this section,
there is authorized to be appropriated for assistance under the
community development block grant program under title I of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301
et seq.) $10,000,000,000 and any amounts appropriated pursuant
to this section shall remain available until expended.
(2) Administrative and planning costs.--Not more than 15
percent of any amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)
may be used for administrative and planning costs.
(b) Eligible Activities.--Amounts made available for assistance
under this section may be used only for--
(1) the development and preservation of qualified
affordable housing, including the construction of such housing;
(2) the responsible elimination or waiving of zoning
requirements and other requirements that limit affordable
housing development, including high density and multifamily
development restrictions, off-street parking requirements, and
height limitations; or
(3) any project or entity eligible for a discretionary
grant provided by the Department of Transportation.
(c) Limitation.--With respect to amounts used pursuant to
subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that recipients of
amounts provided pursuant to this section are not incentivized or
otherwise rewarded for eliminating or undermining the intent of the
zoning regulations or other regulations or policies that--
(1) establish fair wages for labors;
(2) ensure the health and safety of buildings for residents
and the general public;
(3) protect fair housing;
(4) provide environmental protections;
(5) prevent tenant displacement; or
(6) protect any other interest that the Secretary
determines is in the public interest to preserve.
(d) Competition.--Amounts made available for assistance under this
section shall be awarded to States, units of general local government,
and Indian tribes on a competitive basis, based on the extent to which
the applicant--
(1) demonstrates that the applicant is responsibly
streamlining the process for development of qualified
affordable housing;
(2) is eliminating or reducing impact fees for housing
within boundaries of the State, unit of local government, or
Indian tribe, as applicable, and other assessments by State or
local governments upon the owners of new housing development
projects that offset governmental capital expenditures for
infrastructure required to serve or made necessary by the new
housing developments, except for fees that are invested
exclusively for housing; and
(3) provides assurances that the applicant will supplement
assistance provided under this section with amounts from non-
Federal sources for costs of the qualified affordable housing
or infrastructure eligible under subsection (b) to be funded
with assistance under this section, and the extent of such
supplemental assistance to be provided.
(e) Water and Energy Efficiency.--Not less than 10 percent of all
amounts made available for assistance pursuant to this section shall be
used only for eligible activities relating to water and energy
efficiency and, at the Secretary's discretion, other strategies to
enhance the environmental sustainability of housing production and
design.
(f) Qualified Affordable Housing.--For purposes of this section,
the term ``qualified affordable housing'' means a housing development
that--
(1) is either--
(A) funded in any part by assistance provided by
the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the
Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture;
or
(B) includes a qualified low income building as
such term is defined in section 42 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986; or
(2) consists of 5 or more dwelling units of which 20
percent or more are made available--
(A) for rental only by a low-income family (as
defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing
Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)));
(B) at a monthly rent amount that does not exceed
30 percent of the monthly adjusted income (as defined
in such section 3(b)) of the tenant low-income family;
and
(C) maintains affordability for residents who are
low-income families for a period of not less than 30
years.
SEC. 14. INCLUSION OF MINORITY AND WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISES.
(a) Duty.--It shall be the duty of each relevant agency head--
(1) to consult and cooperate with grantees and recipients,
when utilizing funds made available pursuant to this Act, to
promote the inclusion of minority and women's business
enterprises, as defined in subsection (b) including to
establish--
(A) special consideration to increasing grantee and
recipient outreach to minority and women's business
enterprises to inform such businesses of hiring
opportunities created through such funds; and
(B) procurement goals for the utilization of
minority and women's business enterprises; and
(2) to convene meetings with leaders and officials of State
and local governments, tribal entities, and public housing
authorities for the purpose of recommending and promoting
funding opportunities and initiatives needed to advance the
position of minority and women's business enterprises when
competing for funds provided in this Act.
(b) Definitions.--For the purposes of this section, the following
definitions shall apply:
(1) Minority.--The term ``minority'' has the meaning given
such term in section 308(b) of the Financial Institutions
Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 1463
note) and also includes any indigenous person in the United
States or its territories.
(2) Minority and women's business enterprise.--The term
``minority and women's business enterprise'' means a business
at least 51 percent owned and controlled by minority group
members or women.
(3) Relevant agency head.--The term ``relevant agency
head'' means, with respect to funds made available pursuant to
any section of this Act, the head of the Federal agency
responsible for administering the program under which such
funds are to be expended.
Union Calendar No. 569
116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5187
[Report No. 116-686]
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To facilitate the development of affordable housing, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
December 24, 2020
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed