Housing

EXAMINING BIPARTISAN BILLS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HOUSING

United States · United States Senate · 24 June 2021

Restoring Communities Left Behind Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2021

Restoring Communities Left Behind Act This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a grant program for local partnerships to carry out neighborhood revitalization support activities in economically distressed areas. Eligible activities include weatherization and energy efficiency improvements; housing accessibility improvements for seniors and persons with disabilities; purchasing delinquent mortgages; purchasing and developing vacant or distressed properties to create affordable rental housing and for other purposes; and improving parks, sidewalks, and street lighting.

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2021

Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill provides federal housing assistance to Indians and Native Hawaiians. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2032 and otherwise revises the Indian Housing Block Grant program and the Native Hawaiian Housing Block Grant program. Among other revisions to these programs, the bill expands allowable housing activities under the Indian program to include education-related stipends, college housing assistance, and other education-related assistance for low-income college students. Next, the bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to guarantee housing loans for Indians and Native Hawaiians through FY2032. HUD may make grants to eligible recipients of block grants for use in eliminating drug-related and violent crime. Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for the Tribal HUD-VASH program, which provides rental assistance and supportive services to Indian veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and living in or near an area where a tribe or tribally designated housing entity provides assistance for affordable housing. HUD must use at least 5% of rental assistance amounts under the HUD-VASH program, which provides housing assistance to homeless veterans, for the Tribal HUD-VASH program. The Tribal HUD-VASH program must be carried out by HUD in conjunction with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Under the program, grants must be made to entities eligible for housing assistance block grants. HUD may make renewal grants to entities that have received prior program grants.

Green Neighborhoods Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2021

Green Neighborhoods Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish incentives that encourage participants in HUD programs to increase energy efficiency in new and existing housing.

SHADE Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2021

Saving Hazardous And Declining Environments Act or the SHADE Act This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants for government entities and nonprofit organizations to plant trees in low-income communities and in communities meeting designated minority or limited English-proficiency thresholds.

Affordable HOME Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2021

Affordable Housing Opportunities Made Equitable Act or the Affordable HOME Act This bill addresses the availability and affordability of housing. Among other provisions for low-income and homeless individuals, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to construct and preserve multifamily rental housing projects in rural areas, specifies the number of low-income housing choice vouchers HUD must provide in FY2022-2031, and provides FY2022-2031 appropriations for HUD to assist permanent supportive housing. The bill also repeals the limitation on construction of new public housing units, commonly known as the Faircloth limit or the Faircloth amendment; prohibits discrimination in housing based on source of income; and provides additional FY2021 appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund, which provides assistance to states to produce and preserve affordable housing. For individuals experiencing unemployment or income shortfalls during periods of increased state unemployment or during certain disasters, the bill establishes an emergency assistance fund to provide housing assistance. For qualifying homeowners, the bill requires HUD to provide grants for down payment assistance and establishes a 15% annual mortgage interest tax credit. Among other provisions for residential renters, the bill requires notice and specific cause for eviction, provides funding to state and local governments that have established a right to counsel in certain housing cases, and requires certain landlords to provide renters an opportunity to purchase before selling or transferring the rental property. The bill also provides grants for acquisition and preservation of manufactured home communities.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 June 2021

[ERRATA]U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2022 BUDGET

United States · United States House of Representatives · 23 June 2021

Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2021

Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Task Force on the Impact of the Affordable Housing Crisis and requires the task force to make recommendations on how to use affordable housing to improve the effectiveness of federal programs and improve life outcomes.

Eviction Crisis Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2021

Eviction Crisis Act of 2021 This bill creates several eviction-related grant programs and shields certain eviction records from consumer reports. Specifically, the bill requires the Bureau of Justice Assistance to award matching grants to state and local governments to support landlord-tenant focused community courts that allow social service representatives to assist tenants in the court process. The bill also permits the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to award grants to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments to provide financial assistance and housing stabilization services to extremely low-income households. HUD is also required under the bill to award grants to local governments and nonprofit organizations to collect data from landlords on illegal self-help evictions and to establish and maintain an eviction database. The bill also requires a consumer report obtained in association with a rental application to be provided to the consumer applicant and requires that eviction information be excluded from a consumer report in cases decided in favor of the tenant. Further, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to track historical eviction data and to report on savings and revenue generated by the grants awarded under the bill.

Building Solutions for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2021

Building Solutions for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021 This bill addresses various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants, programs, and assistance related to services for homeless veterans. The bill removes certain funding limitations on grants that assist eligible entities in establishing or modifying programs to furnish outreach, rehabilitative services, vocational counseling and training, and transitional housing assistance to homeless veterans. Under the bill, grant recipients must not be subject to certain property disposition requirements. The bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided to grant recipients furnishing services to homeless veterans. Under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, not less than 2% of the amounts available in any fiscal year may be available to provide technical assistance to entities providing supportive services to very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. Among other requirements, the VA must provide training and technical assistance to grant recipients regarding the planning, development, and provision of services for which the grant is made; establish and carry out a program to provide services to assist veterans with navigating housing and health care resources; and implement three pilot programs to provide improved public transportation, nursing staff, and substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder treatment services to certain veterans. The bill (1) extends through FY2025 the authority for appropriations for homeless veterans reintegration programs, and (2) increases the amount authorized to be appropriated annually for such programs from $50 million to $75 million.

Grandfamily Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2021

Grandfamily Housing Act of 2021 This bill establishes grants through the Department of Housing and Urban Development for owners of intergenerational dwellings. Grants must be used to (1) provide services such as tutoring, health care services, and after-school care; (2) perform outreach to intergenerational families in the surrounding community; and (3) maintain spaces within the property to be used for programs and services for intergenerational families.

Fair Accounting for Condominium Construction Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2021

Fair Accounting for Condominium Construction Act This bill exempts certain residential construction contracts from the requirement to use the percentage of completion method of accounting. The percentage of completion method is a tax accounting method in which the revenues and expenses of long-term contracts are recognized as a percentage of the work completed in a particular period.

WELL Seniors Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2021

Wellness and Education for Longer Lives for Seniors Act of 2021 or the WELL Seniors Act of 2021 This bill includes balance screenings and services to address certain social determinants of health (e.g., food and housing security) as elements that may be covered in annual wellness visits under Medicare. The bill also provides incentive payments for visits that cover such elements.

Damon Y. Smith, of Maryland, to be General Counsel of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, vice J. Paul Compton, Jr.

United States · United States Senate · 17 June 2021

CARE for Kids Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2021

Caregivers, Access, and Responsible Expansion for Kids Act of 2021 or the CARE for Kids Act of 20 21 This bill extends eligibility for the National School Lunch Program and school breakfast program of the Department of Agriculture. A local educational agency (including any school operated by the Bureau of Indian Education) may certify as eligible for free lunches or breakfasts the following: children whose placement with a caregiver was carried out with the involvement of an agency that administers a state plan or a tribal child welfare agency, without regard to whether the agency is responsible for the care and placement of the child; children being raised by a relative who receives adoption or guardianship assistance; and children of a family that lives in housing dedicated to low-income families with a caregiver who is a grandparent or another older person that cares for the child full-time or that receives housing or housing assistance under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The bill also extends eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunches for children who were determined to be eligible in the school year prior to placement with a grandparent or relative for the school year immediately following placement. The bill provides children who receive medical assistance under the Medicaid program with direct certification for free lunches and breakfasts under the school lunch and breakfast programs.

Improving FHA Support for Small-Dollar Mortgages Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 17 June 2021

Improving FHA Support for Small-Dollar Mortgages Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to report on barriers to making Federal Housing Administration (FHA) single-family mortgage insurance available for mortgages under $100,000. Specifically, HUD must report on policies, practices, and products used by the FHA and actions that will be taken to remove such barriers.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

United States · United States Senate · 16 June 2021

Clean Up Our Neighborhoods Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2021

Clean Up Our Neighborhoods Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Community Development to award grants to states for specified activities designed to eliminate blight and promote neighborhood revitalization.

Renter Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2021

Renter Protection Act of 2021 This bill limits the use and availability of assistance provided under certain emergency rental assistance programs created in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, rental assistance not yet used by grantees to assist eligible households as of July 1, 2021, must only be used for rental arrears after this date, and not for rent, utilities and home energy costs and arrears, or other expenses as allowed under current law. Further, the bill changes the deadline for distribution of these funds from September 30, 2022, to December 31, 2021.

Trafficking Survivors Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2021

Trafficking Survivors Housing Act of 2021 This bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to study and report on the availability of housing and related services for human trafficking victims and individuals vulnerable to becoming human trafficking victims. Specifically, the study must assess the availability and accessibility of housing and services for such individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability and must identify best practices in meeting the housing and service needs of those individuals.

Trafficking Survivors Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2021

Trafficking Survivors Housing Act of 2021 This bill requires the Interagency Council on Homelessness to study and report on the availability of housing and related services for human trafficking victims and individuals vulnerable to becoming human trafficking victims. Specifically, the study must assess the availability and accessibility of housing and services for such individuals who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability and must identify best practices in meeting the housing and service needs of those individuals.

Community-Based Response Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2021

Community-Based Response Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program to assist communities with implementing alternative emergency response models in vulnerable populations to resolve crisis situations that may not require a law enforcement response or situations in which a law enforcement response may increase the risk of harm. Specifically, Administration for Community Living, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice, must award grants to eligible partnerships to establish or expand these models. The partnerships must consist of a unit of local or tribal government that is independent of law enforcement agencies and a nonprofit, community-based organization or consortium of such organizations. The partnerships may also include other entities, such as nonprofit or public institutions of higher education and behavioral health organizations. A partnership may use grant funds for a variety of purposes, such as triaging 9-1-1 calls to refer certain emergencies to entities other than law enforcement. In awarding these grants, the administration must prioritize partnerships that include community-based organizations that have a record of effectively serving, and are led by members of, vulnerable populations.

Making FHA Work for Borrowers with Student Debt Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2021

Making FHA Work for Borrowers with Student Debt Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to modify its treatment of student loan debt for purposes of determining eligibility for federally insured mortgages for single-family homes. Specifically, the FHA must calculate a borrower's student loan debt obligation as the monthly payment required in connection with the loan or, if no monthly payment is required, 0.5% of the outstanding balance of the loan. Currently, the FHA calculates a borrower's student loan debt obligation as 1% of the outstanding balance of the loan.

Community-Based Response Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2021

Community-Based Response Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program to assist communities with implementing alternative emergency response models in vulnerable populations to resolve crisis situations that may not require a law enforcement response or situations in which a law enforcement response may increase the risk of harm. Specifically, Administration for Community Living, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Justice, must award grants to eligible partnerships to establish or expand these models. The partnerships must consist of a unit of local or tribal government that is independent of law enforcement agencies and a nonprofit, community-based organization or consortium of such organizations. The partnerships may also include other entities, such as nonprofit or public institutions of higher education and behavioral health organizations. A partnership may use grant funds for a variety of purposes, such as triaging 9-1-1 calls to refer certain emergencies to entities other than law enforcement. In awarding these grants, the administration must prioritize partnerships that include community-based organizations that have a record of effectively serving, and are led by members of, vulnerable populations.

Restoring U.S. Leadership in International Organizations Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2021

Restoring U.S. Leadership in International Organizations Act of 2021 This bill makes changes and establishes requirements to expand U.S. engagement with international organizations. Changes include eliminating (1) a limitation on the number of foreign service employees on the staff of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations who are eligible for housing benefits, and (2) a requirement that those employees contribute a portion of their pay toward housing costs. Additionally, the value of the housing benefits is excluded from income for federal tax purposes. The bill also allows consideration of an employee's service formulating policy for or representing the United States at an international, multilateral, or similar organization in Foreign Service processes for promotions, performance pay, and related matters. The Department of State must establish training on conducting diplomacy at international and multilateral organizations and on negotiating multilateral international agreements. The bill requires this training for certain State Department employees, such as those assigned to U.S. missions at international organizations. Furthermore, the bill designates the U.S. Special Representative to the United Nations as a standing member of the President's cabinet and outlines U.S. policy for staffing and paying dues to international and multilateral organizations. The State Department must annually report to Congress about the number of and related information about federal employees detailed or transferred to international organizations.

BASIC Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2021

Basic Assistance for Students In College Act or the BASIC Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award planning and implementation grants to institutions of higher education in order to identify and meet the basic needs of students, including food, housing, transportation, and health care. ED must also implement an agreement to (1) share data with other federal agencies in order to identify students who may be eligible for certain federal benefits; and (2) coordinate efforts to enroll those students in federal benefits programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

United States · United States Senate · 10 June 2021

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022

United States · United States Senate · 10 June 2021

A bill to strengthen the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2021

This bill permanently reauthorizes the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

BASIC Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 June 2021

Basic Assistance for Students In College Act or the BASIC Act This bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award planning and implementation grants to institutions of higher education in order to identify and meet the basic needs of students, including food, housing, transportation, and health care. ED must also implement an agreement to (1) share data with other federal agencies in order to identify students who may be eligible for certain federal benefits; and (2) coordinate efforts to enroll those students in federal benefits programs, including Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2021

Family Stability and Opportunity Vouchers Act of 2021 This bill establishes a voucher program through which public housing agencies shall offer support services to help unstably housed or at-risk families with children move to areas with access to high-performing schools and high-quality childcare and early education.

Housing Is a Human Right Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2021

Housing is a Human Right Act of 2021 This bill establishes and expands programs to assist homeless and housing-unstable individuals and establishes new real property-related taxes to fund specified Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) programs. HUD must establish the Community Development Block Grant Plus Program for state and local governments to assist homeless and housing-unstable individuals as well as cost-burdened households. These funds may be used only for certain activities that assist these populations, including the construction of new affordable housing. The bill also establishes other grant programs to assist these individuals, such as by facilitating access to voting and libraries. Governmental entities may not receive assistance under the bill unless they have, or are working to implement, policies that (1) do not criminally punish homeless individuals for sleeping outside or on public property, and (2) comply with constitutional protections for these individuals' property. In addition, the bill establishes taxes on (1) the sale or exchange of real property of at least $10 million, (2) the sale or exchange of real property involving an anonymous entity, and (3) rent received by landlords that own large amounts of dwelling units. The revenue from these taxes must be credited to various HUD programs in specified percentages. The Government Accountability Office must study (1) the allocation formula for Emergency Food and Shelter grants, (2) recipient compliance with various grant program guidelines, and (3) barriers related to access to essential documents that homeless and housing-unstable individuals face.

Planning for Aging Veterans Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2021

Planning for Aging Veterans Act of 2021 This bill addresses the long-term care of veterans, including by implementing policies for the administration of state homes. First, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a strategy for the long-term care of veterans. The VA must develop a standardized process for entering into sharing agreements between state homes and VA medical centers. A state home is a home established by a state for veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or otherwise and incapable of earning a living because of such disability. The term also includes a home that furnishes nursing home care for veterans. Under the bill, the VA must ensure that veterans who are catastrophically disabled are not required to pay a co-payment for medication received at a state home. Generally, veterans are catastrophically disabled if they have a permanent severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease that compromises the ability to carry out the activities of daily living. The VA must monitor any contractor it uses to conduct inspections of state homes, including by reviewing inspections, reporting deficiencies, and publishing inspection results on a public VA website. The VA must implement a two-year pilot program to provide geriatric psychiatry assistance to eligible veterans at state homes. Finally, the VA must work with public housing authorities and local organizations to assist aging homeless veterans in accessing existing housing and supportive services, even if a veteran is not eligible for such services from the VA.

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2021

Drug Testing for Welfare Recipients Act This bill requires the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and specified public housing programs to subject individuals to substance-abuse screening and to deny benefits for individuals who test positive for a controlled substance.

Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2021

Promoting Affordable Housing Near Transit Act This bill authorizes recipients of certain federal transit assistance to transfer property that is no longer needed to local governments, nonprofits, or other third parties for transit-oriented development projects that support affordable housing and meet other specified criteria.

Eviction Prevention Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2021

Eviction Prevention Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to provide grants to state and local governments to make legal counsel available to eligible tenants undergoing eviction proceedings. An eligible tenant is an individual whose income is less than 125% of the federal poverty level. The bill also requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a national database of evictions. The Government Accountability Office must report on the national status of legal representation of tenants in eviction proceedings, including the effects of access to representation on case outcomes.

COMMUTE Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2021

Connecting Opportunities through Mobility Metrics and Unlocking Transportation Efficiencies Act or the COMMUTE Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish an accessibility data pilot program. The purpose of the pilot program is to develop or procure an accessibility data set and make such data available for states and metropolitan or rural planning organizations to improve their transportation planning by measuring the level of access to important destinations such as jobs, health care facilities, child care services, educational and workforce training facilities, affordable housing, and food sources; disaggregating the level of access by multiple transportation modes by a variety of population categories, including minority populations; assessing the change in accessibility that would result from new transportation investments; and providing data necessary to prioritize transportation investments that will improve access by all modes of travel.

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2021

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act This bill establishes requirements for certain commercial online platforms (e.g., social media sites) that withhold or promote content through algorithms and related computational processes that use personal information. The platforms must make disclosures about their collection and use of personal information and their content moderation practices; retain specified records that describe how the algorithms use personal information and assess whether the algorithms produce disparate outcomes based on race and other demographic factors in terms of access to housing, employment, financial services, and related matters; employ algorithms safely and effectively; and allow users to access and transfer their personal information. If a platform uses algorithms to publish or sell advertising, it must maintain a library of the advertisements. The Federal Trade Commission must also adopt rules concerning deceptive advertising. A platform's chief executive officer or other senior officer must certify compliance with disclosure requirements. Additionally, platforms may not (1) employ algorithms or other design features that result in discrimination or similar harms based on demographic or biometric factors, or (2) process information such that it impairs voting rights. Further, users of a platform may not violate civil rights laws using the platform's algorithms. The bill prohibits waivers or other methods that limit rights under the bill; provides whistleblower protections for individuals who report violations; and authorizes enforcement by specified federal agencies, states, and private individuals. The bill also provides funding for an interagency task force to study the discriminatory use of personal information by platforms' algorithms.

Veterans’ Entry to Apprenticeship Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 May 2021

Veterans' Entry to Apprenticeship Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide the same amount and type of educational assistance to pre-apprenticeship programs as apprenticeship programs in certain circumstances. A pre-apprenticeship program is designed to prepare individuals to enter an apprenticeship program via education and training. Under the bill, a pre-apprenticeship program may be treated like an apprenticeship program for purposes of educational assistance if the program complies with state standards or meets other accepted criteria if state standards do not apply. If individuals are not paid as part of a pre-apprenticeship program, they are eligible for a specified amount of housing assistance.

HOUSING FOR NATIVE AMERICANS: REVIEW OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS, BARRIERS, AND OPPORTUNITIES

United States · United States Senate · 27 May 2021

A bill to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award additional funding through the Sanitation Facilities Construction Program of the Indian Health Service, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2021

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award additional FY2022 funds to the Indian Health Service Sanitation Facilities Construction Program. This program provides American Indian and Alaska Native homes and communities with water supply, sewage disposal, and solid waste disposal facilities.

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2021

Algorithmic Justice and Online Platform Transparency Act This bill establishes requirements for certain commercial online platforms (e.g., social media sites) that withhold or promote content through algorithms and related computational processes that use personal information. The platforms must make disclosures about their collection and use of personal information and their content moderation practices; retain specified records that describe how the algorithms use personal information and assess whether the algorithms produce disparate outcomes based on race and other demographic factors in terms of access to housing, employment, financial services, and related matters; employ algorithms safely and effectively; and allow users to access and transfer their personal information. If a platform uses algorithms to publish or sell advertising, it must maintain a library of the advertisements. The Federal Trade Commission must also adopt rules concerning deceptive advertising. A platform's chief executive officer or other senior officer must certify compliance with disclosure requirements. Additionally, platforms may not (1) employ algorithms or other design features that result in discrimination or similar harms based on demographic or biometric factors, or (2) process information such that it impairs voting rights. Further, users of a platform may not violate civil rights laws using the platform's algorithms. The bill prohibits waivers or other methods that limit rights under the bill; provides whistleblower protections for individuals who report violations; and authorizes enforcement by specified federal agencies, states, and private individuals. The bill also provides funding for an interagency task force to study the discriminatory use of personal information by platforms' algorithms.

SAFER Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2021

Strategic Acquisition and Floodplain Efficiency Reform Act or the SAFER Act This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a pilot program to evaluate the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of allowing private entities to carry out pre-disaster mitigation activities, such as property acquisition and relocation, under the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program.

Building Credit Access for Veterans Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2021

Building Credit Access for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using alternative credit scoring information or models to improve the determination of creditworthiness of certain individuals and to increase the number of such individuals who are able to obtain VA housing and small business loans. Specifically, the program is for veterans or members of the Armed Forces who are eligible for VA housing or small business loans and have insufficient credit history. Under the program, the VA must assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing criteria for acceptable commercially available credit scoring models to be used by lenders for the purpose of guaranteeing or insuring a VA housing or small business loan. Participation is voluntary on an opt-in basis for lenders, borrowers, and individuals. The VA must conduct outreach to lenders and individuals to inform them of the pilot program.

Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2021

Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to issue regulations regarding lead-based paint in certain federally assisted housing that was constructed prior to 1978 and in which a child younger than age six will reside. Specifically, HUD must require owners of such housing to (1) conduct, within specified time frames, risk assessment for lead-based paint hazards; (2) control the hazards; and (3) provide certain notice to residents. If a family with a child younger than age six occupies such housing in which lead-based paint hazards are identified but not controlled, HUD must allow the family to relocate on an emergency basis to another dwelling without any wait, penalty, or lapse in assistance.

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2021

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2021 This bill establishes programs and grants to incentivize landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program (i.e., Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance). The bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide one-time incentive payments to landlords, security deposit payments, bonuses to public housing agencies that employ landlord liaisons, and amounts for other recruitment purposes. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2026 the Tribal Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program. Additionally, the bill allows dwelling units to meet Housing Choice Voucher program inspection requirements by satisfactory inspection through participation in other housing programs. Landlords not yet participating in a low-income housing assistance program may request inspection by a public housing agency to determine whether the dwelling meets requirements prior to selection by a tenant. Finally, HUD must expand the use of an alternative method of calculating fair market rent for purposes of the Housing Choice Voucher program.

Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2021

Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of State, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide assistance to people in Vietnam in relation to Agent Orange exposure. Specifically, the State Department must provide assistance (1) to address the health care needs of certain residents of Vietnam affected by Agent Orange exposure, (2) to institutions in Vietnam that provide health care to such individuals, (3) to improve housing and reduce poverty for specified individuals and their families, and (4) to remediate areas of Vietnam that contain high levels of Agent Orange. HHS must (1) make grants to public health organizations and Vietnamese American organizations to conduct a broad health assessment of Vietnamese Americans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and their descendants; and (2) establish centers in U.S. locations where large populations of Vietnamese Americans reside to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. Under the bill, certain benefits will be made available to the children of male Vietnam veterans who are affected by certain birth defects. Currently, these benefits are only available to the children of women Vietnam veterans. The VA shall require any health care provider with whom the VA enters into a contract for the provision of health care to such children to provide the VA access to their medical records for research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange exposure.

Repaying the Rural Borderlands Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2021

Repaying the Rural Borderlands Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reimburse individuals, entities, and state and local governments for damage to property caused by aliens entering the United States along the southern border. DHS must also reimburse local governments for the costs of providing care, such as housing and schooling, to such aliens.

Third Reconstruction: Fully addressing poverty and low wages from the bottom up.

United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2021

This resolution expresses the sense of Congress that legislation and policies that address poverty, low wages, and related issues should be prioritized. Among other priorities, the resolution commits to updating the poverty measure; raising the minimum wage; expanding unemployment insurance; ensuring that all workers receive paid family and medical leave; implementing a federal jobs guarantee; guaranteeing safe and quality housing, a right to water, high-quality public education, and quality health care for all; enacting relief from household and personal debt that cannot be paid; ensuring that state, local, and tribal governments are adequately funded; expanding and protecting the right to vote; eliminating persistent racial inequities; protecting the constitutional rights of assembly and free speech; enacting comprehensive and just immigration reform; ensuring all the rights of Native and Indigenous peoples and tribal nations; transforming the economy into a green renewable energy economy; demilitarizing U.S. foreign policy, borders, and policing; enacting fair taxes on corporations and the wealthy; using deficit spending to meet pressing needs; and encouraging states and cities to enact policies that follow the direction provided by this resolution.