Housing

Public Housing Procurement Improvement Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021

Public Housing Procurement Improvement Act of 2021 This bill allows a public housing agency (PHA) to use any of the following contract arrangements in a federally funded low-income housing project for the development of dwelling units owned or operated by the PHA: design-build, construction management, best value, prequalification, or guaranteed maximum price.

Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021

Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a Zero-Emission Homes Program that provides rebates to homeowners and owners of multifamily buildings for qualified electrification projects (e.g., electric stoves or heat pumps).

Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021 This bill extends through December 31, 2021, the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID–19 and published on September 4, 2020.

Mapping Housing Discrimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Mapping Housing Discrimination Act This bill provides grants to institutions of higher education to analyze, digitize, and map historic housing discrimination records. The Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Policy Development and Research must use data submitted by institutions under the bill to create a publicly available national database of historic housing discrimination records. Historic housing discrimination records are (1) deeds or historic property records that demonstrate housing discrimination, or (2) state or local ordinances that permitted housing discrimination.

HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

HUD Inspection Reform and Capital Improvement Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to remove or reduce the pay of certain HUD employees for misconduct or performance. The bill also requires an entity receiving housing assistance payments for a dwelling unit to ensure that the unit is maintained to safe and sanitary conditions and authorizes HUD to take enforcement actions for failure to meet certain maintenance standards. Additionally, the bill provides for rental adjustments for certain properties receiving project-based rental assistance. Finally, the bill sets forth scoring and inspection frequency guidelines for properties receiving project-based rental assistance.

Choose Home Care Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021

Choose Home Care Act of 2021 This bill provides for coverage of home-based extended care services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill provides for coverage of services that are furnished to Medicare beneficiaries in their homes by home health agencies, including nursing care, meals and nutritional support, home medical supplies, nonemergency medical transportation, and care coordination. Coverage includes 30 days of post-hospital care and other periods of extended illness, as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Home health agencies that provide such services may receive additional payments in accordance with a specified methodology. The CMS may make payments for covered services furnished before 2022 during any period in which there is a public health emergency.

Expressing that the United States is obligated to permanently end the unhoused crisis by 2025 and uphold, protect, and enforce the civil and human rights of unhoused individuals, including the human rights to housing, universal health care, livable wages, education, employment opportunities, access to public facilities, free movement in public spaces, privacy, confidentiality, internet access, vote, freedom from harassment by law enforcement, private businesses, property owners, and housed residents, and equal rights to health care, legal representation, and social services without discrimination based on housing status.

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021

This resolution urges the United States to protect the human rights of unhoused individuals, to establish regulations and enforcement tools to protect unhoused individuals from violations of civil and human rights, and to establish blanket legal protections for third parties providing goods or services to unhoused individuals. The resolution also urges the United States to establish a process to award appropriate damages, attorney's fees, and costs to a prevailing plaintiff in an action alleging a violation of the human and civil rights of unhoused individuals. Relatedly, the resolution urges the United States to allow the court in such an action to consider housing status and apply leniency in compiling records, receipts, and documentation from those plaintiffs. The resolution also expresses the intention of the House of Representatives to address the unhoused crisis in the United States by providing funding and imposing requirements on the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health and Human Services.

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act This bill addresses the response of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to disasters. The bill establishes the Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency at HUD to coordinate HUD disaster preparedness and response responsibilities. The office must also coordinate with other federal agencies in supporting recovery and resiliency activities. Further, the bill creates the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund to fund the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. The program must provide states, tribes, and communities with grants for rebuilding affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. Grantees are required to certify that funds will be administered in compliance with specified fair housing and civil rights laws. Grantees must also prioritize assistance for extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income victims of disasters, as well as other vulnerable groups. The bill also provides for increased data sharing regarding disasters, including by requiring HUD to share data with other federal agencies regarding disaster benefits and by requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to share data on disaster benefit applicants with HUD.

Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021

Veterans Service Organization Modernization Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide competitive grants to veterans service organizations for repairs or rehabilitation of existing facilities and for modernization of technologies.

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2021

Reforming Disaster Recovery Act This bill addresses the response of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to disasters. The bill establishes the Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency at HUD to coordinate HUD disaster preparedness and response responsibilities. The office must also coordinate with other federal agencies in supporting recovery and resiliency activities. Further, the bill creates the Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund to fund the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program. The program must provide states, tribes, and communities with grants for rebuilding affordable housing and infrastructure after a disaster. Grantees are required to certify that funds will be administered in compliance with specified fair housing and civil rights laws. Grantees must also prioritize assistance for extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income victims of disasters, as well as other vulnerable groups. The bill also provides for increased data sharing regarding disasters, including by requiring HUD to share data with other federal agencies regarding disaster benefits and by requiring the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Small Business Administration to share data on disaster benefit applicants with HUD.

Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2021

Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act of 2021 This bill requires certain newly constructed, federally assisted housing, including single-family homes and town houses, to contain at least one level that complies with specified minimum standards of accessibility for individuals with disabilities. An aggrieved person may commence a civil action with respect to a violation of this requirement.

RECOMPETE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere To Excel Act or the RECOMPETE Act This bill establishes a grant program to assist economically distressed local communities and labor markets that meet specified economic criteria, including employment criteria. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) must award 10-year grants to a local government, tribal government, economic development district, or consortium of local government units located in such areas. Each grant recipient must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address the economic challenges specific to the area. The grants may be used to increase employment opportunities, increase local per capita income, support economic development, and develop infrastructure and housing. Additionally, the EDA must periodically evaluate each grant recipient based on certain benchmark criteria and annually report on the implementation of the program. The bill specifies formulas for determining the grant amount for each community or market and the federal share of the cost of each program or activity conducted under the program.

ABLE Employment Flexibility Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

ABLE Employment Flexibility Act This bill permits employers to make tax-exempts contributions to ABLE (Achieving Better Life Experience) accounts in lieu of making contributions to existing tax-exempt defined contribution retirement plans. An ABLE account is established to pay the expenses (e.g., food, education, housing, transportation, employment training and support, and health care expenses) of a designated beneficiary who is disabled.

RECOMPETE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021

Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People To Excel Act or the RECOMPETE Act This bill establishes a grant program to assist economically distressed local communities and labor markets that meet specified economic criteria, including employment criteria. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) must award 10-year grants to a local government, tribal government, economic development district, or consortium of local government units located in such areas. Each grant recipient must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address the economic challenges specific to the area. The grants may be used to increase employment opportunities, increase local per capita income, support economic development, and develop infrastructure and housing. Additionally, the EDA must periodically evaluate each grant recipient based on certain benchmark criteria and annually report on the implementation of the program. The bill specifies formulas for determining the grant amount for each community or market and the federal share of the cost of each program or activity conducted under the program.

Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021

Credit Access and Inclusion Act of 2021 This bill allows for the reporting of certain positive consumer-credit information to consumer reporting agencies. Specifically, a person or the Department of Housing and Urban Development may report information related to a consumer's performance in making payments either under a lease agreement for a dwelling or pursuant to a contract for a utility or telecommunications service. However, information about a consumer's usage of any utility or telecommunications service may be reported only to the extent that the information relates to payment by the consumer for such service or other terms of the provision of that service. Furthermore, an energy-utility firm may not report a consumer's outstanding balance as late if the firm and the consumer have entered into a payment plan and the consumer is meeting the obligations of that plan. Specified provisions that establish civil liability with respect to furnishers of information to consumer reporting agencies shall not apply to any violation of the bill. The Government Accountability Office must report on the consumer impact of such reporting.

BUILDING BACK A BETTER, MORE EQUITABLE HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR AMERICA: OVERSIGHT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 July 2021

SAFE AT HOME: PRESERVING AND IMPROVING FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING

United States · United States Senate · 20 July 2021

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and several related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to DOT for the Office of the Secretary, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, the Federal Transit Administration, the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, the Maritime Administration, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and the Office of Inspector General. The bill provides appropriations to HUD for Management and Administration, Public and Indian Housing, Community Planning and Development, Housing Programs, the Federal Housing Administration, the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae), Policy Development and Research, Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, the Information Technology Fund, and the Office of Inspector General. The bill also provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Access Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Office of Inspector General, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the Surface Transportation Board, and the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Office for Access to Justice Establishment Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2021

Office for Access to Justice Establishment Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Office for Access to Justice within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to advise on matters relating to justice for low-income and other underrepresented people in the criminal and civil justice systems. Additionally, DOJ must establish a Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable to raise the awareness of executive branch agencies of the ways in which civil legal aid and indigent defense can help advance federal objectives, including those related to employment, family stability, housing, consumer protection, health services, and public safety.

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Agriculture, Rural Development, Energy and Water Development, Financial Services and General Government, Interior, Environment, Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2021

Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Labor for the Employment and Training Administration, the Employee Benefits Security Administration, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Wage and Hour Division, the Office of Labor-Management Standards, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Office of Disability Employment Policy, and Departmental Management. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Advanced Research Projects Agency For Health, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Administration for Children and Families, the Administration for Community Living, and the Office of the Secretary. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Education for Education for the Disadvantaged; Impact Aid; School Improvement Programs; Indian Education; Innovation and Improvement; Safe Schools and Citizenship Education; English Language Acquisition; Special Education; Rehabilitation Services; Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities; Career, Technical, and Adult Education; Student Financial Assistance; Student Aid Administration; Higher Education; Howard University; the College Housing and Academic Facilities Loan Program; the Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Account; the Institute of Education Sciences; and Departmental Management. The bill also provides appropriations to several related agencies, including the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the National Council on Disability, the National Labor Relations Board, the National Mediation Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, the Railroad Retirement Board, and the Social Security Administration. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2021

Health Enterprise Zones Act of 2021 This bill provides for the designation of Health Enterprise Zones in certain geographic areas with documented and measurable health disparities. This designation, which expires 10 fiscal years after the bill's enactment, confers eligibility for certain grants, student loan repayment programs, and tax credits for those working to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes in these zones. Specifically, community-based nonprofits or local government agencies, in coalition with health care providers, social service organizations, and others, may apply to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for the designation. The application must include a plan to reduce health disparities and achieve other outcomes. In implementing the program, HHS must consult with, among others, the Department of Housing and Urban Development. When approving applications, HHS shall consider factors including geographic diversity and the commitment of supporting funds from the private sector. HHS (1) may award grants to organizations or agencies that applied for the designation to support activities aligned with their plans, and (2) must carry out a student loan repayment program for health care providers who agree to provide services in a Health Enterprise Zone. In addition, the bill establishes tax credits for employers that hire, and individuals who work as, Health Enterprise Zone workers.

Home for the Brave Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2021

Home for the Brave Act of 2021 This bill excludes from income veterans' service-connected disability or death benefits for purposes of determinations made in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing assistance programs.

Ending Homelessness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021

Ending Homelessness Act of 2021 This bill expands the housing choice voucher program and provides assistance to homeless individuals and families. Specifically, the bill provides FY2022-2025 funding for the expansion of the housing choice voucher program for certain extremely low income families. Furthermore, beginning in FY2026, the bill creates and funds an entitlement to housing choice vouchers for certain extremely low income families. Eligibility for the entitlement expands annually, extending to low-income families by FY2030. The bill also reduces the geographic area used to calculate an area's fair market rent for purposes of voucher payment standards and prohibits the use of criminal history in determining eligibility for certain housing assistance. Additionally, the bill prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of a renter's source of income or a renter's veteran status. The bill also provides additional FY2022-FY2026 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist the homeless, including to award emergency relief grants in jurisdictions with the highest need and award grants to provide outreach and coordinate services. Furthermore, the bill provides additional FY2022-FY2026 funding for the Housing Trust Fund, which provides affordable housing for extremely low-income and very low-income families. While this additional funding is available, HUD must ensure that priority for occupancy in assisted units is given to individuals and families who are homeless. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes certain homeless assistance grants and makes permanent the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021

Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill generally addresses housing affordability and infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants, programs, and other support related to public housing, affordable housing preservation and construction, and mortgage access. The bill also establishes and funds the National Investment Authority (NIA) which must design, finance, and implement a strategy of long-term national economic growth and development. The NIA must select projects that coordinate investment of public and private capital in equitable, inclusive, and sustainable growth of the economy. Furthermore, the bill establishes the National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) to implement the strategy by engaging in credit market activities that support public and private investment in critical public infrastructure projects. The bill gives the NIA bond issuing authority and authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to purchase these bonds. The Federal Reserve must lend funds on a short-term basis upon the request of the NIB and other subsidiaries. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury must provide for a line of credit not to exceed 100% of the NIA's total assets. Finally, the bill (1) authorizes HUD to provide support for fair housing organizations, and (2) requires consultation with a fair housing enforcement organization as part of an application for certain housing grants or funds.

Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021

Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to local and tribal government entities for the planning and implementation of programs to address homelessness.

Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021

Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development for states and other entities to provide qualifying assistance to certain first-time, first-generation home buyers in purchasing their first homes. Qualifying assistance includes assistance for mortgage down payments, mortgage closing costs, reduction of mortgage interest rates, subsidies for shared equity homes, or for certain preoccupancy modifications to a home to accommodate persons with disabilities. The bill also establishes grant requirements regarding home buyer income, types of housing, homeowner occupancy, types of mortgages, and home buyer counseling.

Green Retrofits Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Green Retrofits Act This bill reauthorizes a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) water and energy conservation demonstration program through FY2027. Prior to its FY2019 expiration, the program allowed HUD to execute agreements with specified entities to reduce utility costs through improvements at multifamily subsidized housing projects. The reauthorization makes a number of changes to the original program, including increasing the cap on eligible residential units from 20,000 to 35,000 and extending the cap on agreement terms from 12 to 15 years. The bill also creates a green retrofit program that allows HUD to provide grants or loans to owners of multifamily subsidized housing projects. The grants or loans must be used to perform in-home health and green retrofits to the property.

Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a Zero-Emission Homes Program that provides rebates to homeowners and owners of multifamily buildings for qualified electrification projects (e.g., electric stoves or heat pumps).

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. (The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all considered in other appropriations bills.) Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Related Agencies, including (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund, and (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Military Housing Oversight and Service Member Protection Act This bill modifies various provisions related to the contracting and provision of privatized military housing. Among other requirements, DOD must establish formal written requirements and guidance for entering into and renewing contracts related to the acquisition and improvement of military housing, employ a sufficient number of independent housing inspectors with appropriate certifications to conduct inspections without notice to landlords, provide oversight to ensure that maintenance for such housing units is completed in accordance with applicable health and building codes, publish the financial details of each contract for the management of housing units, and ensure all military medical treatment facilities screen members of the armed forces or their family members who have resided in unsafe housing units. The bill also extends legal protections afforded to tenants located in a jurisdiction surrounding a military instillation to tenants residing in housing located on a military installation, establishes a presumption of service-connection for certain conditions that are determined to be associated with residing in privatized military housing, provides Department of Veterans Affairs health care for conditions associated with residing in privatized military housing to a family member of a veteran (including a child in utero) during a specified time period, and prohibits specified individuals from owning interest in an entity that owns or manages privatized military housing. DOD is authorized to modify any contract entered into regarding privatized military housing to conform to changes made by this bill.

Gulf Coast Hurricane Aid Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Gulf Coast Hurricane Aid Act of 2021 This bill provides emergency assistance for disaster response and recovery, and for other expenses, directly related to Hurricanes Laura, Delta, or Zeta. Specifically, the bill appropriates funds to the Community Development Fund for necessary expenses related to disaster relief, long-term recovery, and restoration of infrastructure, housing, and economic revitalization in areas in states for which the President declared a major disaster. The bill further provides for the use of proceeds from a system of competitive bidding to award licenses in the band of frequencies between 3700 megahertz and 3980 megahertz, to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used for emergency assistance.

Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2021

Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to award grants to local and tribal government entities for the planning and implementation of programs to address homelessness.

Julia Ruth Gordon, of Maryland, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Dana T. Wade.

United States · United States Senate · 13 July 2021

Preserving Our Commitment to Homeless Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2021

Preserving Our Commitment to Homeless Veterans Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide case management support to local housing authorities under the VA-supported housing program. The program assists veterans who are homeless and their families in finding and sustaining permanent housing.

A resolution recognizing the commemorating Native Hawaiian Delegate Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana'ole's lifelong advocacy on behalf of Hawai'i and the Native Hawaiian people on the 100th anniversary of his paramount congressional achievement-the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920.

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2021

This resolution recognizes and commemorates Prince Jonah K&#363hi&#333 Kalaniana'ole, a Native Hawaiian Delegate from Hawaii and lifelong advocate for Hawaii and the Native Hawaiian people, including his work to pass the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the act.

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2021

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility to qualified volunteer first responders for assistance under (1) the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, and (2) certain Department of Housing and Urban Development single-family property disposition programs.

Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalaniana‘ole Protecting Family Legacies Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2021

Prince Jonah K&#363hi&#333 Kalaniana'ole Protecting Family Legacies Act This joint resolution consents to the Hawaii legislature's amendments to the Hawaiian Homes Commission Act. In 2017, the Hawaii legislature reduced the minimum Native Hawaiian blood quantum required for an individual to inherit a homestead lease under the act.

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 July 2021

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act This bill expands eligibility to qualified volunteer first responders for assistance under (1) the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program, and (2) certain Department of Housing and Urban Development single-family property disposition programs.

No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2021

No Biometric Barriers to Housing Act of 2021 This bill prohibits owners of certain federally assisted rental units from using facial recognition, physical biometric recognition, or remote biometric recognition technology in any units or in any building or on any grounds containing such a unit. Within one year, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must report on any known use of such technology in federally assisted rental units in the preceding five years.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2021

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations for the Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to USDA for agricultural programs, including the Office of the Secretary, Executive Operations, the Office of Civil Rights, the Economic Research Service, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Agricultural Research Service, the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, the Agricultural Marketing Service, and the Food Safety and Inspection Service. The bill also provides appropriations to USDA for farm production and conservation programs, including the Farm Production and Conservation Business Center, the Farm Service Agency, the Risk Management Agency, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Fund and the Commodity Credit Corporation Fund. For USDA rural development programs, the bill includes appropriations for Rural Development Salaries and Expenses, the Rural Housing Service, the Rural Business-Cooperative Service, and the Rural Utilities Service. The bill provides appropriations to the Food and Nutrition Service for Child Nutrition Programs; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program); the Commodity Assistance Program; and Nutrition Programs Administration. The bill provides appropriations to the Foreign Agricultural Service for (1) Food for Peace Title II Grants, and (2) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program Grants. The bill also provides appropriations for the Food and Drug Administration, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Farm Credit Administration. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022

United States · United States Congress · 2 July 2021

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides FY2022 appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and related agencies. The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military construction for the Army; the Navy and Marine Corps; the Air Force; Defense-wide agencies and activities; the Army and Air National Guard; and the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves. The bill also provides appropriations to DOD for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; the Base Closure Account; Construction and Operation and Maintenance of Family Housing for the Army, the Navy and Marine Corps, the Air Force, and Defense-wide agencies and activities; the Family Housing Improvement Fund; and the Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund. Within the VA budget, the bill provides appropriations for the Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and Departmental Administration. The bill provides appropriations for related agencies and programs, including the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Cemeterial Expenses of the Army, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

CARA 3.0 Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2021

CARA 3.0 Act of 2021 This bill addresses substance use disorders by expanding access to treatment and recovery services, providing for housing protections, and requiring other activities. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes, establishes, and expands support for treatment and recovery services. This includes increasing access to treatment in the criminal justice system and other settings and for particular populations, such as pregnant and postpartum individuals and youth and young adults. Additionally, the bill expands Medicare and Medicaid coverage for treatment, including by expanding telehealth access to medication to treat substance use disorders. The bill also temporarily requires that non-opioid pain treatment options be reimbursed separately, instead of on a packaged basis, under Medicare. As a condition of receiving certain federal funding, states must mandate the use of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) by prescribers and dispensers and impose additional PDMP requirements. Moreover, prescribers of potentially addictive drugs must complete continuing education requirements. The bill also revises the registration process for providers who prescribe certain medications to treat substance use disorders, including by eliminating the provider's patient limit for such medications. In addition, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration must carry out activities to promote access to high-quality recovery housing. The bill also sets out protections for individuals with substance use disorders who live in, or apply to live in, federally assisted housing. Furthermore, the bill requires other activities to address substance use, such as support for workforce education and training; public awareness campaigns and similar outreach; and research on prevention strategies, insurance coverage, and treatment modalities.

Ensuring Phone and Internet Access Through Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity Program Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2021

Ensuring Phone and Internet Access for SNAP Recipients Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on enrollment in the Lifeline program. The Lifeline program is designed to reduce the cost of communications services for low-income consumers, and it allows those consumers to qualify for Lifeline assistance based on their receipt of other federal assistance programs (e.g., Medicaid or Federal Public Housing Assistance). Specifically, the FCC must submit reports on (1) enrollment in the Lifeline program by individuals who participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), and (2) the number of new broadband consumers projected to join the Lifeline program through federal assistance programs and the efficacy of various efforts to advertise the Lifeline program.

Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2021

Fair and Equal Housing Act of 2021 This bill prohibits discrimination, in the context of various housing practices, against individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Tenant Empowerment Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 June 2021

Tenant Empowerment Act of 2021 This bill generally expands the rights of tenants in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill allows tenants to place rent in an escrow account in the event that a housing project is found to be in violation of certain housing standards; seek judicial enforcement of specified housing agreements; and access information related to a housing project, including the ownership, specified reports, and contracts. The bill also provides for continuing rental assistance payments for tenants if the property is in foreclosure.

The People’s Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2021

The People's Response Act This bill establishes multiple grant programs and requirements to promote qualified approaches to community safety. These are programs or services that are disconnected from carceral institutions (e.g., law enforcement, child welfare services, and immigration enforcement). Specifically, the bill establishes the Division of Community Safety within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to administer the grants and carry out related activities. These include grants for community-based organizations to support qualified approaches to community safety, such as unarmed first responder agencies and 9-1-1 diversion programs; neighborhood-level interventions, including safe passage to school and violence interruption programs; behavioral health treatment, nutrition support, and other public health programs; housing security programs; and programs for youth and families, survivors of violence, and individuals exiting incarceration or criminal supervision. Additionally, the division must administer grants pertaining to qualified approaches for community safety for state and local governments and hiring and training first responders. The bill also establishes an advisory board to oversee the division's activities. Membership on the board must reflect the racial, ethnic, and other demographic diversities of the United States. The board must also include members who have personal experience with the criminal justice system. Furthermore, HHS must set up (1) a federal health response unit to respond to any public health emergency, assist with qualified approaches to community safety, and provide resources for safe and inclusive schools; and (2) an interagency task force to promote qualified approaches to community safety across federal programs.

Community and Senior Center Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2021

Community and Senior Center Support Act This bill permits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide financial assistance for multipurpose senior centers and essential community facilities that provide health, community, social, recreation, or cultural services, without regard to whether the center or facility is in a rural area, In providing this assistance in nonrural areas, USDA must consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Currently, USDA may provide such assistance to rural areas.

Save Affordable Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2021

Save Affordable Housing Act of 2021 This bill revises the low-income housing tax credit to repeal the qualified contract option for a building that received its allocation of housing credit dollar amount before January 1, 2019, or received before that date, a determination from the bond issuer or housing credit agency of its eligibility to receive an allocation of a housing credit dollar amount. Under current law, properties eligible for the low-income housing tax credit are subject to a 30-year affordability period, during which the value of properties is set at a below market rate. The qualified contract option allows property owners, in some cases, to convert to market rate after 15 years.

Affordable HOUSE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2021

Affordable Housing Opportunities for Utilization, Sustainment, and Expansion Act of 20 21 or the Affordable HOUSE Act of 2021 This bill modifies the low-income housing tax credit basis limitation rules applicable to the acquisition of buildings in service within the previous 10 years.

David Uejio, of California, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Anna Maria Farias.

United States · United States Senate · 24 June 2021