Housing

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023

United States · United States Senate · 28 April 2022

LODGE Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022

Lodging Options Developed for Government Employees Act or the LODGE Act This bill expands the current authority of the Department of the Interior to enter into agreements with housing entities to provide rental housing for employees. The bill allows Interior to enter agreements with other federal agencies, state or local governments, tribal governments, or other public or private organizations to develop, construct, rehabilitate, or manage housing for rent to field employees and members of the public on public lands, including National Park System units; off public lands in the vicinity of system units; or on a combination of such lands. Interior may allow field employees and members of the public to occupy and lease project quarters. Field employees and members of the public shall be prohibited from subleasing housing established pursuant to this bill. To the maximum extent practicable, priority for occupancy in project quarters shall be given to field employees. Interior may allow partners in agreements to collect rents directly from housing occupants. The bill modifies the lease-to-build program to allow Interior to lease federal land and interests in land to qualified persons for the construction of field employee quarters for any period not to exceed 60 years (under current law not to exceed 50 years).

A bill to amend Public Law 99-420 to provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land in the State of Maine for use for affordable workforce housing, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022

This bill provides for the use of certain federal land in Maine by any town that requests conveyance of the land for affordable workforce housing. Currently, the land is available for use as a solid waste transfer station. The bill also permits the Department of the Interior to retain no more than 15 acres of the land, to be used for housing and administrative facilities to support the purposes of Acadia National Park.

MISTREATMENT OF MILITARY FAMILIES IN PRIVATIZED HOUSING

United States · United States Senate · 26 April 2022

Establishing the Select Committee on Older Americans.

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022

This resolution temporarily establishes in the House of Representatives the Select Committee on Older Americans, which is comprised of 12 Members appointed by the Speaker (6 of whom shall be appointed on the recommendation of the minority leader). The select committee must serve as a bipartisan forum to bring awareness to, and advance recommendations to address, economic, health, housing, and other issues facing older adults. The recommendations may not, however, address Medicare or Social Security. The select committee must submit a final report that details its activities within two years after the appointment of its members and terminates on the date it submits the final report.

Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022

Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2022 This bill modifies the H-2B (temporary nonagricultural workers) visa program and expands protections for aliens who report workplace violations. Changes to the H-2B program include requiring the Department of Labor to establish a centralized national electronic platform for U.S. workers to find and apply for positions that employers are seeking to fill with H-2B workers; requiring employers to recruit U.S. workers nationwide, including by posting the openings on the platform, before applying for H-2B visas; requiring employers to guarantee at least 40 hours of paid work per week for each H-2B worker (currently employers may guarantee fewer paid hours in certain instances); requiring employers to pay for housing for H-2B workers and transportation to and from the work site (currently employers are allowed to deduct fees for lodgings from an H-2B worker's pay); modifying the requirements for determining the minimum wage for H-2B workers; and prioritizing H-2B visas for certain employers, such as those that pay higher wages. Furthermore, an alien who has worked a certain amount of time as an H-2B worker may obtain permanent resident status, subject to various requirements. In addition, an alien who is likely helpful in an investigation of a workplace claim (i.e., an alleged violation of law or workplace-related injury) may qualify for a U visa for victims of criminal activity. The bill also removes statutory numerical limitations on U visas. The bill also provides protections for certain aliens who file or assist in the investigation of workplace claims.

Building More Housing for Servicemembers Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022

Building More Housing for Servicemembers Act This bill addresses the availability and quality of housing for members of the Armed Forces. First, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on the housing shortage for members of the Armed Forces. DOD must prescribe guidance for eligible entities and landlords regarding acceptable housing standards for privatized military housing. Under the bill, an eligible entity is any private person, corporation, firm, partnership, company, or state or local government that is prepared to enter into a contract for the construction of housing units and ancillary supporting facilities. DOD must establish a five-year pilot program to assess the feasibility of using the rental partnership programs of the Armed Forces to assure tenants for eligible entities to secure financing to construct privatized military housing. Additionally, DOD must coordinate with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to develop a five-year pilot program to provide financial incentives to eligible entities to build privatized military housing, or to purchase or lease existing facilities, to house members of the Armed Forces and their dependents and low-income individuals and families. Finally, DOD and HUD may jointly operate a grant program through the Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation within DOD to build housing for members of the Armed Forces and their dependents, and low-income individuals and families. Household income limits for eligible entities to receive a grant must not differ based on whether a household includes a member of the Armed Forces.

BAH Calculation Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022

BAH Calculation Improvement Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to submit to Congress a report on the basic allowance for housing for members of the uniformed services that includes elements related to the calculation of such allowance.

BAH Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022

BAH Restoration Act This bill increases the monthly amount of the basic housing allowance for members of the uniformed services inside the United States. Specifically, the monthly amount of allowance for a member must be the amount of the monthly cost of adequate housing in the area, as determined by the Department of Defense, for members of the uniformed services serving in the same pay grade and same dependency status as the member.

A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH: IMPROVING FIRE SAFETY IN FEDERALLY ASSISTED HOUSING

United States · United States House of Representatives · 20 April 2022

Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022

Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant program for state, tribal and local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; and certain nonprofits (or consortia of nonprofits) to carry out activities to mitigate heat in urban areas. HUD must coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency on the program.

SAFER in Condos Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022

SAFER in Condos Act of 2022 or the Securing Access to Financing for Exterior Repairs in Condos Act of 2022 This bill allows an owner of a condominium (condo) unit to finance, through loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration, special assessments charged by the condo's governing body for rehabilitation, repair, replacement, or other improvement of common systems, infrastructure, facilities, features, portions, or areas.

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2022

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2022 This bill addresses the removal of lead from drinking water in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require specified testing and remediation with respect to water service lines containing lead; authorizes HUD to inspect all sources of lead contamination in federally assisted housing and to mitigate sources of lead exposure; establishes a grant program for states and local governments to create inventories of water service lines containing lead and to test for lead in the drinking water at child care facilities, schools, and public water fountains; and allows recipients of certain HUD assistance to use such assistance to replace water fixtures and service lines containing lead.

HOUSES Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022

Helping Open Underutilized Space to Ensure Shelter Act of 2022 or the HOUSES Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the sale of certain federal land to states and units of local government for projects to provide housing. Specifically, the bill authorizes a state or unit of local government to nominate, for consideration for conveyance by the Department of the Interior, one or more tracts of public lands within the boundary of the state or unit of local government to carry out an eligible project to provide housing. Interior may not offer to convey to a unit of local government such a tract until it receives from the governor of the state approval for the conveyance. Interior may not convey to a state or unit of local government such a tract until the state or unit of local government has in effect any ordinances, statutes, or regulations that are necessary to ensure compliance with the project proposal.

Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022

Cost of Mental Illness Act of 2022 This bill requires a study on the direct and indirect costs associated with serious mental illness (i.e., a mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder resulting in a serious, functional impairment that substantially interferes with major life activities). It also requires periodic surveillance surveys of individuals with schizophrenia. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must study health care, housing, public safety, and other costs incurred by federal, state, tribal, and local governments and nongovernmental entities to address serious mental illness. HHS must consult with the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development on the study. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) must periodically conduct a surveillance survey to collect information about individuals with schizophrenia, such as their demographic characteristics and health status. SAMHSA must coordinate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institute of Mental Health, and other federal agencies on the survey. SAMHSA may also award grants or other assistance to nonprofits for convening stakeholder meetings and other activities to support the survey.

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022

Get the Lead Out of Assisted Housing Act of 2022 This bill addresses the removal of lead from drinking water in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require specified testing and remediation with respect to water service lines containing lead; authorizes HUD to inspect all sources of lead contamination in federally assisted housing and to mitigate sources of lead exposure; establishes a grant program for states and local governments to create inventories of water service lines containing lead and to test for lead in the drinking water at child care facilities, schools, and public water fountains; and allows recipients of certain HUD assistance to use such assistance to replace water fixtures and service lines containing lead.

A bill to require certain public housing agencies to absorb port-in housing choice vouchers, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022

This bill requires a public housing agency that uses less than 95% of its budget authority in a given year to accept a housing choice voucher from a family that received the voucher from an agency in a different jurisdiction.

Solitary Confinement Reform Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022

Solitary Confinement Reform Act of 2022 This bill limits the use of restrictive housing (such as solitary confinement) in certain prison facilities. These facilities are those under the jurisdiction of (1) the Bureau of Prisons, (2) the Department of Defense, or (3) a state or local government in which persons are held in custody pursuant to a contract or agreement with the federal government and the facility receives federal funds for law enforcement purposes. For example, the bill specifies that inmates shall be housed in the least restrictive setting necessary for safety purposes. It also requires that inmates remain in restrictive housing for no longer than necessary to address each specific reason for such placement.

Vinay Vijay Singh, of Pennsylvania, to be Chief Financial Officer, Department of Housing and Urban Development, vice Irving Dennis.

United States · United States Senate · 5 April 2022

Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2022

Transforming Student Debt to Home Equity Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency to jointly establish and implement a pilot demonstration program to provide, to eligible applicants with federal student loan debt, assistance in purchasing eligible properties. Specifically, the program may provide for (1) discounts on the appraised value of eligible properties, (2) flexibility in certain underwriting standards, (3) the development of new mortgage products specifically targeted to eligible applicants, and (4) other appropriate assistance. The program must provide for the development of a program that uses actuarial information to determine how the repayment of federal student loans may be integrated into a mortgage repayment schedule to allow eligible applicants to accumulate home equity. An eligible property is a property (1) that is designed as a dwelling for occupancy by one to four families; (2) that is safe and habitable; (3) the occupancy of which will promote community revitalization; and (4) that is owned by HUD, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), a local land bank, the Department of Agriculture, or the Department of Veterans Affairs.

AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY: ADDRESSING THE HOUSING NEEDS OF AMERICA'S SENIORS

United States · United States Senate · 31 March 2022

Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Protecting Rural Renters Act of 2022 This bill prevents the reallocation of unspent funding that states and territories received through the Emergency Rental Assistance program. This program provides funding to assist low-income households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with covering unmet rent and utility expenses. Cities and counties with populations over 200,000 may elect to receive funding directly, while states and territories receive the funding to administer assistance in all other areas. Under current law, if a jurisdiction fails to spend a minimum portion of its funds by a statutory deadline, the Department of the Treasury must reallocate those funds among jurisdictions that spent more than a specified portion of their initial allocation. The bill prohibits Treasury from reallocating unspent funds received by states and territories and requires Treasury to return to a state or territory any funds previously reallocated.

Communities Serving Schools Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022

Communities Serving Schools Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Education to award four-year competitive grants to state and local educational agencies for implementing wraparound services in public elementary and secondary schools. Wraparound service refers to a school-based service that targets academic and non-academic barriers to student achievement, including assistance with academics and physical and mental health, provision of basic needs (e.g., food, housing, and clothing), and college and career preparation. A state educational agency that receives a grant must award subgrants to local educational agencies. A local educational agency that receives a grant or subgrant must use these funds for certain activities, such as hiring an on-site coordinator to ensure wraparound services are aligned with student needs and to connect students with those services.

Housing Supply Expansion Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022

Housing Supply Expansion Act This bill modifies the federal prevailing wage rates that apply to federally assisted housing and requires the Department of Labor to review and revise its process for determining prevailing wage rates. Specifically, the bill applies the prevailing wage rate for residential construction to all housing projects that receive assistance under specified federal statutes. (Under current law, the residential construction prevailing wage rate applies to the construction, alteration, or repair of single-family homes or apartment buildings up to four floors in height.)

Flexibility in Addressing Rural Homelessness Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022

Flexibility in Addressing Rural Homelessness Act of 2022 This bill allows grants awarded under the ongoing Continuum of Care program to include grants for projects in rural areas for short-term emergency lodging; repairs to unfit housing for homeless individuals; and staff training, development, and retention.

Frank Adelmann Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022

Frank Adelmann Manufactured Housing Community Sustainability Act This bill allows a business-related tax credit equal to 75% of the gain from the sale or exchange of real property to a qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation if (1) the property is acquired for use as a manufactured home community, (2) the seller (or any related person) owned the property for at least two years before the sale or exchange, and (3) the property is transferred subject to a binding covenant that the property will be used as a manufactured home community for at least 50 years or the maximum term permitted under state law. A qualified manufactured home community cooperative or corporation is a cooperative or a nonprofit corporation established pursuant to the laws of the state in which the property is located. The bill specifies membership and governance requirements for the communities owned by the cooperative or nonprofit corporation. The bill also imposes a tax on buyers who violate the covenant to use the property for manufactured housing for at least 50 years or the maximum term permitted under state law.

Homes for All Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2022

Homes for All Act of 2021 This bill provides funding for the construction of new public housing units, authorizes additional assistance for the construction of new affordable housing units, and otherwise addresses housing affordability. Specifically, the bill provides permanent, mandatory funding for the capital and operating funds available to public housing agencies (PHAs) and allows PHAs to use such funds to construct new public housing units. Under current law, a PHA generally may not use such funds to construct public housing units if doing so would result in a net increase of the number of public housing units owned, assisted, or operated by the PHA. The bill also (1) provides annual funding through FY2032 for the construction of new public housing units; and (2) authorizes additional assistance through FY2032 from the Housing Trust Fund for the construction of new, private-market, affordable housing units. A PHA may not discriminate, with respect to the rental of a unit developed with assistance under the bill, based on an individual's criminal record or immigration status. Additionally, a PHA receiving such assistance must meet specified requirements with respect to the new units regarding other forms of discrimination, supportive services, environmental standards, and accessibility. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to establish a Community Control and Anti-Displacement Fund to award grants to local governments for the purpose of combatting gentrification and neighborhood destabilization.

CLEAR Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2022

Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience Act of 2022 or the CLEAR Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to states, Indian tribes, and territories for establishing or maintaining (or both) an office responsible for planning, program implementation, technical assistance, and related efforts to address community resilience (i.e., the ability to rebound, positively adapt to, or thrive amidst changing conditions or challenges, including natural disasters, and maintain quality of life, healthy growth, and economic vitality for present and future generations).

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts to pay for specified veterans (i.e., certain veterans who have service-connected disabilities and require nursing home care) to be placed in medical foster homes at their request. A medical foster home is a home designed to provide non-institutional, long-term, supportive care for veterans who are unable to live independently and prefer a family setting. Veterans receiving such care must agree, as a condition of payment for their care, to accept home health services furnished by the VA. Under the bill, no more than a daily average of 900 veterans may have their care in a medical foster home covered by the VA. The VA must create a monitoring system to assess its workload in carrying out the medical foster home payments. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must submit to Congress reports that assess the implementation of this program and provide recommendations for improvements.

Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022

Asbestos Exposure in Housing Reduction Act of 2022 This bill requires the seller or lessor of a dwelling to disclose to the purchaser or lessee any known asbestos-based hazards in the dwelling and provide any available asbestos hazard evaluation report. The bill also requires the seller or lessor to allow the purchaser or lessee a 10-day period to conduct a risk assessment or inspection for asbestos hazards. Further, the bill requires that every contract for the sale or lease of a dwelling contain an asbestos warning statement and that every purchaser of a dwelling acknowledge that the purchaser has read and understands the warning statement and had the 10-day period to conduct a risk assessment or inspection.

Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022

Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act of 2022 This bill requires owners of certain federally assisted housing constructed prior to 1978 to screen for and remove lead-based paint hazards in housing where families with a child under the age of six are living. Specifically, an owner of such housing must, with some exceptions, conduct an initial risk assessment that consists of not just a visual inspection for lead-based paint hazards in housing where such a family will reside. If the assessment identifies any lead-based paint hazards, the owner must address the hazards within 30 days of the assessment and notify all residents in the affected housing. If the owner fails to address the hazards within 30 days, the family in the affected dwelling unit may relocate on an emergency basis without (1) being placed on any waiting list, (2) paying any penalty, or (3) experiencing any lapse in assistance. Further, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must establish a demonstration program to pay for the costs to address lead-based paint hazards in dwellings that receive certain federal rental assistance and in which the tenant is a family with a child under the age of six.

Studying Barriers to Homelessness Act

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022

Studying Barriers to Homelessness Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study to identify any barriers to the use of public housing to provide assistance for the homeless.

To direct the Secretary of Defense to develop a feedback tool for use by members of the Armed Forces and their spouses to identify, rate, and compare housing, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022

This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop a feedback tool through which members of the Armed Forces and their spouses may anonymously identify, rate, and compare housing under the jurisdiction of DOD, including privatized military housing.

Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022

Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to award grants to provide support services (e.g., transportation, child or dependent care, housing, and other needs-related payments) for individuals receiving workforce training and education.

Expressing support for the designation of the third week of March 2022 as "National CACFP Week".

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022

This resolution recognizes the role of the child and adult care food program (commonly referred to as CACFP) in improving the health of the country's most vulnerable children and adults in child care centers, adult day care homes, and after-school care by providing nutritious meals and snacks. It also supports the designation of National CACFP Week.

LIFELINE Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022

LIHTC Financing Enabling Long-term Investment in Neighborhood Excellence Act or the LIFELINE Act This bill permits states, territories, or tribal governments to use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to finance qualified low-income housing projects (i.e., projects for residential rental property meeting certain income tests) with loans obligated by December 31, 2024, and having maturities of 30 or more years.

A bill making appropriations to provide emergency assistance for the Community Development Fund for disaster response and recovery for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022

This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Fund, which primarily funds the Community Development Block Grant program. The bill provides the funding for activities related to disaster relief and recovery.

Strengthening Cybersecurity for the Financial Sector Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022

Strengthening Cybersecurity for the Financial Sector Act of 2022 This bill provides for the regulation and supervision of certain financial organizations and service providers. Specifically, if a credit union that is subject to examination by the Board of Directors of the National Credit Union Administration delegates the performance of certain activities and services, the delegation must be disclosed and shall be subject to regulation and examination by the board. Additionally, if the Federal National Mortgage Association, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, any Federal Home Loan Bank, or the Office of Finance of the Federal Home Loan Bank System delegates the performance of certain activities and services, the delegation must be disclosed and shall be subject to regulation and examination by the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Housing for All Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

Housing for All Act of 2022 This bill modifies existing, and creates new, grants and programs concerning affordable housing and homelessness. In particular, the bill authorizes federal funding of the Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing activities. Currently, contributions to the fund come from the earnings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, the bill (1) expands eligibility for housing choice vouchers, which provide rental assistance to low-income individuals; and (2) entitles certain individuals to the vouchers. Other matters addressed in the bill include permanently authorizing the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (which terminates on October 1, 2028) and modifying existing programs that support housing for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The bill also creates various housing-related grant programs to, for example, support overnight parking for individuals who live in vehicles and no-cost legal assistance with evictions for low-income individuals. The bill also incorporates housing into certain transportation grants and programs.

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to the authorities and programs of regional economic and infrastructure development commissions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the Southwest Border Regional Commission, the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and establishes and expands NBRC grant programs. The NBRC must establish a state capacity building program to provide grants to commission states (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont) to better support business retention and expansion in eligible counties and for other specified purposes. Each commission state shall provide to the NBRC an annual work plan that includes the proposed use of the grant. Additionally, the NBRC may make grants for the planning, construction, equipment, and operation of demonstration health, nutrition, and child care projects. Such grants must give special emphasis to projects and activities to address substance use disorders, including opioid and methamphetamine use. The bill authorizes these regional commissions (as part of economic and infrastructure development grants) to (1) design, build, implement, or upgrade transportation or basic public infrastructure or workforce capacity to support the adaptation to and mitigation of climate challenges; and (2) promote the production of housing to meet economic development and workforce needs.

Housing for All Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

Housing for All Act of 2022 This bill modifies existing, and creates new, grants and programs concerning affordable housing and homelessness. In particular, the bill authorizes federal funding of the Housing Trust Fund, which supports affordable housing activities. Currently, contributions to the fund come from the earnings of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Additionally, the bill (1) expands eligibility for housing choice vouchers, which provide rental assistance to low-income individuals; and (2) entitles certain individuals to the vouchers. Other matters addressed in the bill include permanently authorizing the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (which terminates on October 1, 2028) and modifying existing programs that support housing for the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness. The bill also creates various housing-related grant programs to, for example, support overnight parking for individuals who live in vehicles and no-cost legal assistance with evictions for low-income individuals. The bill also incorporates housing into certain transportation grants and programs.

A bill to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to exclude a basic allowance for housing from income for purposes of eligibility for the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022

This bill excludes military housing allowances from income when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Pregnant Women in Custody Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2022

Protecting the Health and Wellness of Babies and Pregnant Women Act of 2022 This bill establishes requirements to address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth. The bill requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to collect data on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women at the federal, state, and local levels. With respect to incarcerated women at the federal level, the bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to provide appropriate services and programs to address the health and safety needs related to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy; limits the use of restrictive housing and restraints for prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; and authorizes prerelease custody for an incarcerated pregnant woman whose due date is within the final year of her term of imprisonment. With respect to incarcerated women at the state and local level, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the services and protections for pregnant incarcerated women in state and local correctional settings; and authorizes grants for states, tribes, local governments, or nonprofits to promote the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women by providing obstetrical care, gynecological care, and related services.

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2022

Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2022 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. 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.

Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2022

Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2022 This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. The bill requires the Department of Justice to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance with respect to transition plans. The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.

Housing our Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 February 2022

Housing our Veterans Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on the availability of affordable housing for veterans who have or are participating in any program administered by the Homeless Programs Office of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to the authorities and programs of regional economic and infrastructure development commissions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes the Southwest Border Regional Commission, the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and establishes and expands NBRC grant programs. The NBRC must establish a state capacity building program to provide grants to commission states (Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont) to better support business retention and expansion in eligible counties and for other specified purposes. Each commission state shall provide to the NBRC an annual work plan that includes the proposed use of the grant. Additionally, the NBRC may make grants for the planning, construction, equipment, and operation of demonstration health, nutrition, and child care projects. Such grants must give special emphasis to projects and activities to address substance use disorders, including opioid and methamphetamine use. The bill authorizes these regional commissions (as part of economic and infrastructure development grants) to (1) design, build, implement, or upgrade transportation or basic public infrastructure or workforce capacity to support the adaptation to and mitigation of climate challenges; and (2) promote the production of housing to meet economic development and workforce needs.

Respectable Housing Act of 2022

United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2022

Respectable Housing Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to insist that each owner of a housing project with 100 dwelling units or more receiving section 8 assistance maintain the project and associated dwelling units in a condition that complies with existing public housing law. The bill further requires HUD to make biennial inspections of housing projects to determine whether the projects are being maintained in accordance with this requirement.

HOW INSTITUTIONAL LANDLORDS ARE CHANGING THE HOUSING MARKET

United States · United States Senate · 10 February 2022

EVs for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2022

Electric Vehicles for All Act or the EVs for All Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to provide grants to eligible entities (i.e., public housing agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations) to facilitate electric vehicle sharing services operated at public housing projects.