Housing

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance through December 21, 2020, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. Such assistance includes monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances.

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 March 2020

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act This bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs to respond to safety and health risks presented by qualifying emergencies, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to agencies that administer Child Care Development block grants and Head Start agencies. ED grant recipients must award subgrants to BIE schools, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). HHS grant recipients must award subgrants to early care and education programs. Subgrants under each grant program must be used for certain activities, such as coordinating preparedness and response efforts with public health departments; purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean facilities to minimize the spread of infectious diseases; and providing mental health services and supports to children, students, and staff. Additionally, ED must award grants to IHEs for creating and expanding emergency financial-aid grant programs that address the unexpected expenses related to basic needs (e.g., housing, food, and certain one-time costs) of enrolled students during a qualifying emergency. IHEs must use grant funds to make emergency financial-aid grants to eligible students. HHS must also award supplemental grants for certain organizations to address emergency-related child traumatic stress. ED may waive certain financial-aid requirements for students affected by qualifying emergencies. Such requirements include those related to subsidized usage limits, Pell Grant duration limits, leaves of absence, and satisfactory progress. The bill also authorizes ED to permit foreign IHEs to offer distance education during an emergency. No such program may be deemed ineligible.

Affordable HOME Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Affordable Housing Opportunities Made Equitable Act or the Affordable HOME Act This bill addresses housing affordability and availability as well as housing for low-income and homeless individuals. Among other things, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants for down payment assistance to qualifying home purchasers. Further, the bill establishes a tax credit for homeowners equal to 15% of annual mortgage interest paid or accrued on a mortgage for a primary residence. In addition, HUD must establish programs for constructing and preserving certain low-income multifamily rental housing projects in rural areas. HUD must also provide grants to entities to acquire and preserve manufactured housing communities. Further, the bill provides additional FY2020 appropriations for the Housing Trust Fund, which provides assistance to states to produce and preserve affordable housing. Additionally, the bill specifies the number of low-income housing choice vouchers HUD must provide in FY2021-FY2030. Further, the bill provides FY2021-FY2030 appropriations for HUD to assist permanent supportive housing. The bill also provides for various protections for renters, including by (1) prohibiting landlords from evicting tenants, with certain exceptions; (2) prohibiting housing discrimination against individuals based on source of income; and (3) requiring certain landlords to give the tenant of a rental property an opportunity to purchase that property before selling or transferring the property.

HOPE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2020 or the HOPE Act of 2020 This bill establishes several Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment (HOPE) pilot projects to improve economic security for individuals who meet income or other requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development must collaborate on the projects and report to Congress on project implementation and outcomes. The HOPE Accounts Pilots provide awards to certain nonprofits to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. Through technology platforms and other means, HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information related to public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS, in consultation with the other departments, must also hold a merit-based competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. Grants for the HOPE Action Plans Pilot Projects allow nonprofits to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.

Home Advantage for American Families Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Home Advantage for American Families Act This bill requires any foreign person involved in a transaction related to the sale of residential property located in any of the 15 largest metropolitan statistical areas by population to report to the Department of the Treasury information for identifying the person purchasing the property, the amount and source of the funds received by the seller, the date and nature of the transaction, and other information deemed necessary. The bill also increases (1) from 15% to 30% the rate of withholding on sales proceeds of certain residential real property, and (2) the low-income housing tax credit state ceiling.

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Supporting Students in Response to Coronavirus Act This bill establishes and provides funds for grant programs to respond to safety and health risks presented by qualifying emergencies, including COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill authorizes (1) the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states and the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), and (2) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award grants to agencies that administer Child Care Development block grants and Head Start agencies. ED grant recipients must award subgrants to BIE schools, local educational agencies, and institutions of higher education (IHEs). HHS grant recipients must award subgrants to early care and education programs. Subgrants under each grant program must be used for certain activities, such as coordinating preparedness and response efforts with public health departments; purchasing supplies to sanitize and clean facilities to minimize the spread of infectious diseases; and providing mental health services and supports to children, students, and staff. Additionally, ED must award grants to IHEs for creating and expanding emergency financial-aid grant programs that address the unexpected expenses related to basic needs (e.g., housing, food, and certain one-time costs) of enrolled students during a qualifying emergency. IHEs must use grant funds to make emergency financial-aid grants to eligible students. HHS must also award supplemental grants for certain organizations to address emergency-related child traumatic stress. ED may waive certain financial-aid requirements for students affected by qualifying emergencies. Such requirements include those related to subsidized usage limits, leaves of absence, and satisfactory progress. The bill also authorizes ED to permit foreign IHEs to offer distance education during an emergency.

HOPE Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2020

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2020 or the HOPE Act of 2020 This bill establishes several Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment (HOPE) pilot projects to improve economic security for individuals who meet income or other requirements. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development must collaborate on the projects and report to Congress on project implementation and outcomes. The HOPE Accounts Pilots provide awards to certain nonprofits to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. Through technology platforms and other means, HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information related to public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS, in consultation with the other departments, must also hold a merit-based competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. Grants for the HOPE Action Plans Pilot Projects allow nonprofits to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENGIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

United States · United States Senate · 11 March 2020

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance through December 21, 2020, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. Such assistance includes monthly housing stipends or certain subsistence allowances.

A bill to authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to treat certain programs of education converted to distance learning by reason of emergencies and health-related situations in the same manner as programs of education pursued at educational institutions, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to provide educational assistance through December 21, 2020, for programs of education that have been converted to distance learning due to an emergency or health-related situation. Such assistance includes monthly housing stipends or subsistence allowances.

REHAB Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020

Revitalizing Economies, Housing, And Businesses Act of 2020 or the REHAB Act of 2020 This bill modifies provisions relating to the rehabilitation tax credit. Specifically, the bill allows an increased 15% credit for non-historic buildings placed in service 50 years prior to the current calendar year. It also allows the credit for buildings within a half-mile of public transportation facilities, for residential lodging purposes, and for expenses related to building expansion on the same block as a qualified rehabilitation building. The bill allows a 25% credit for rent-restricted housing units and for expenses related to public infrastructure projects required by state or local governments as a condition of project completion.

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2020

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies to address maternal health outcomes among minority populations. HHS must (1) establish task forces to address social determinants of health, maternal mental and behavioral health, and other topics; and (2) award grants for maternal mortality review committees, innovative maternity care models, and other purposes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a perinatal payment demonstration project. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation must report on the impact of housing and transportation during prenatal and postpartum periods, respectively. The Department of Veterans Affairs must submit a plan for maternity care coordination for women veterans, and the Bureau of Prisons must establish programs and award grants to certain prisons and jails to improve maternal health outcomes among incarcerated individuals. The Government Accountability Office must report on the perinatal health workforce, maternity care compliance offices, and maternal health outcomes among veterans and incarcerated individuals. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must report on specified topics, including training programs to reduce bias, racism, and discrimination. The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission must report on the impact of Medicaid ineligibility on pregnant and postpartum individuals who are incarcerated. The bill also (1) expands eligibility for certain nutrition programs by increasing the postpartum and breastfeeding periods, and (2) reduces certain funding to states without laws restricting the use of restraints on pregnant women who are incarcerated.

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2020

Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act of 2020 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other agencies to address maternal health outcomes among minority populations. HHS must (1) establish task forces to address social determinants of health, maternal mental and behavioral health, and other topics; and (2) award grants for maternal mortality review committees, innovative maternity care models, and other purposes. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish a perinatal payment demonstration project. The Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation must report on the impact of housing and transportation during prenatal and postpartum periods, respectively. The Department of Veterans Affairs must submit a plan for maternity care coordination for women veterans, and the Bureau of Prisons must establish programs and award grants to certain prisons and jails to improve maternal health outcomes among incarcerated individuals. The Government Accountability Office must report on the perinatal health workforce, maternity care compliance offices, and maternal health outcomes among veterans and incarcerated individuals. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must report on specified topics, including training programs to reduce bias, racism, and discrimination. The Medicaid and CHIP Payment Access Commission must report on the impact of Medicaid ineligibility on pregnant and postpartum individuals who are incarcerated. The bill also (1) expands eligibility for certain nutrition programs by increasing the postpartum and breastfeeding periods, and (2) reduces certain funding to states without laws restricting the use of restraints on pregnant women who are incarcerated.

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2020

Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into contracts to place certain disabled veterans in medical foster homes at the request of such veterans. Specifically, the bill concerns veterans with service-connected disabilities to whom the VA is required to provide nursing home care. Medical foster homes are homes designed to provide non-institutional, long-term, supportive care for veterans who are unable to live independently and prefer a family setting. In any year, not more than a daily average of 900 veterans placed in a medical foster home may have their care covered.

TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021

United States · United States Senate · 4 March 2020

To amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure that the Secretary of Veterans Affairs repays members of the Armed Forces for certain contributions made by such members towards Post-9/11 Educational Assistance.

United States · United States Congress · 4 March 2020

This bill modifies the process for repaying service members and veterans who paid to keep benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill, but later chose to utilize Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits. Specifically, the bill removes the requirement for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue the repayments with the last monthly housing stipend under the Post-9/11 GI Bill. This requirement has limited the repayments to individuals who are receiving stipends. Under the bill, the VA must make such a repayment before the exhaustion of the individual's entitlement to education assistance.

‘Protecting Jessica Grubb’s Legacy Act'

United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2020

Protecting Jessica Grubb's Legacy Act This bill more closely aligns the federal privacy standards applicable to substance-use disorder patient records with the relevant privacy and de-identification standards applicable to other records that contain personal health information for the purposes of (1) treatment, payment, and health care operations by health plans, providers, or clearinghouses; and (2) disclosures to public health authorities. The bill requires patients to give affirmative, written consent; once given, that consent applies to future disclosures. Such consent may be revoked by written request. The bill also (1) aligns criminal penalties for certain violations involving substance-use disorder patient records with the penalties that apply to violations involving other types of records containing personal health information; (2) expands the current prohibition against using substance-use disorder patient records in criminal proceedings to include any use in specified federal, state, and local criminal and civil actions; and (3) prohibits certain discrimination based on the release of such patient information with respect to access to treatment, employment, housing, and certain social services and benefits.

Dana T. Wade, of the District of Columbia, to be an Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Brian D. Montgomery.

United States · United States Senate · 2 March 2020

Bad Landlord Database Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2020

Bad Landlord Database Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to create a public database of property owners receiving housing choice voucher assistance for low-income tenants. This database must include, among other things, information regarding any violations by the property owner of certain housing quality standards and any litigation involving the property owner and housing choice voucher assistance.

To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to collect overpayments of specially adapted housing assistance.

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020

This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to collect overpayments of assistance made to specified individuals (e.g., individuals who applied for assistance or attorneys) in relation to the specially adapted housing program.

Aviation-Impacted Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020

Aviation-Impacted Communities Act This bill addresses noise mitigation for aviation-impacted communities. (An aviation-impacted community is a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.) Specifically, the bill expands Airport Improvement Program noise mitigation program funding for aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard; requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study that summarizes the relevant literature and studies done on aviation impacts worldwide and focuses on large hub commercial airports and surrounding communities, including communities currently outside of the 65 DNL contour; directs the FAA to conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community; requires the FAA to devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the concerns of a designated community; and provides grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship.

Stable SSI Benefits and Housing Assistance Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2020

Stable SSI Benefits and Housing Assistance Act This bill excludes certain relocation assistance from income and resource limits for purposes of Supplemental Security Income eligibility.

DEPARTMENTS OF TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS FOR 2021

United States · United States House of Representatives · 27 February 2020

State Veterans Home Inspection Simplification Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020

State Veterans Home Inspection Simplification Act This bill alters certain requirements relating to inspection and certification of Medicare skilled nursing facilities that are also state veterans homes. Specifically, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to treat state veterans homes that are inspected and determined to meet applicable standards set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as also meeting applicable standards for skilled nursing facilities under Medicare. The CMS must also use VA inspection reports for such facilities in lieu of state inspection reports for purposes of the Nursing Home Compare website.

Affordable and Homeless Housing Incentives Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2020

Affordable and Homeless Housing Incentives Act of 2020 This bill allows nonrecognition of gain, for income tax purposes, from the sale of real property to a qualified housing operator for use or development by such operator as affordable housing. The bill defines qualified housing operator to include a state or local government, a tribally designated housing entity, a community housing development organization, or a tax-exempt entity organized to provide affordable housing and which receives federal, state, or local grants to develop or operate such housing. To be eligible for nonrecognition of gain, the seller must make the property either (1) residential rental property, not less than 75% of the units of which are affordable to low-income families; or (2) a homeless shelter.

Public Housing Fire Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2020

Public Housing Fire Safety Act This bill creates a grant program, to be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in certain public housing projects.

Improving FHA Support for Small Dollar Mortgages Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2020

Improving FHA Support for Small Dollar Mortgages Act of 2020 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 $70,000. Specifically, HUD must report on policies, practices, and products used by the FHA and actions that will be taken to remove such barriers.

Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 February 2020

Fair Access to Co-ops for Veterans Act This bill reauthorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to guarantee a loan for a veteran's purchase of stock or membership in a cooperative housing corporation for the purpose of entitling the veteran to occupy a single family residential unit. The VA must ensure a loan for the purchase of stock or membership in a cooperative housing corporation is not denied if it has been reviewed and approved by a lender approved by Fannie Mae. The bill also requires the VA to advertise the availability of loan guarantees for housing cooperative share loans to notify eligible veterans, participating lenders, and interested realtors of the availability of such loan guarantees and the procedures and requirements that apply to the obtaining of such guarantees.

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to nonprofit and governmental entities to provide free legal assistance to eligible low-income tenants at risk of, or subject to, eviction.

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2020

Legal Assistance to Prevent Evictions Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to nonprofit and governmental entities to provide free legal assistance to eligible low-income tenants at risk of, or subject to, eviction.

Fracking Ban Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020

Fracking Ban Act This bill phases out hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation. The bill prohibits federal agencies from issuing permits for the expansion of fracking or fracked oil and natural gas infrastructure, including infrastructure intended to extract, transport, or burn natural gas or oil. In addition, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a survey of all oil and natural gas wells to identify the wells where fracking is, or has been, used. The survey must include a variety of data, including data on the proximity of fracking operations to inhabited structures (e.g., homes or schools). Beginning on February 1, 2021, the bill revokes permits for wells where fracking is, or has been, used within 2,500 feet of inhabited structures. The bill bans all fracking on onshore and offshore land by 2025. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a Just Transition Committee to make recommendations on ensuring the health and safety of individuals residing in, and the prosperity of, natural gas- and oil-producing regions during the phaseout of fracking.

YouthBuild International Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020

YouthBuild International Act This bill authorizes the President to establish a program to provide certain assistance to developing countries. The purposes of such program include (1) providing disadvantaged youth with opportunities to receive the education and training necessary to achieve economic self-sufficiency; and (2) expanding the supply of permanent affordable housing for homeless individuals and low-income families and improving the quality of community, nonprofit, and public facilities.

HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020

HCBS Infrastructure Improvement Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to award grants for states to develop the infrastructure of Medicaid home- and community-based services (i.e., long-term, person-centered services in noninstitutional settings). States must use grant funds for projects relating to the accessibility and quality of care, such as workforce development, housing support, and transportation services.

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 February 2020

Disaster Assistance for Rural Communities Act This bill expands the availability of Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance for rural small businesses. Currently, the declaration of a disaster by the SBA is contingent upon a certain number of homes or businesses being damaged or economically injured (e.g., at least 25 homes or 25 businesses are damaged). The bill authorizes the SBA to declare a disaster in a rural area if any home, small business, private nonprofit, or small agricultural cooperative located in such area has incurred significant damage. The bill defines a rural area as an area with a population of less than 200,000 outside an urbanized area.

Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2020

Pathway to Stable and Affordable Housing for All Act This bill provides appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for several housing programs, including (1) Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, (2) the Housing Trust Fund, (3) the Continuum of Care Program, and (4) the Emergency Solutions Grants Program.

Preventing Sexual Harassment in Public Housing Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020

Preventing Sexual Harassment in Public Housing Act of 2020 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to take actions related to reporting and investigating housing-related discrimination and harassment, particularly sexual harassment. Specifically, HUD must include in its annual report to Congress tabulations of complaints of discriminatory housing practices filed with HUD or a fair housing assistance program in the preceding year. These tabulations must identify whether a complaint alleged discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. HUD must consider a complaint of sexual harassment under the category of discrimination based on sex and must include a separate tabulation of the total number of sexual harassment complaints filed. Additionally, DOJ must establish an initiative to investigate and prosecute allegations of housing-related sexual harassment.

Equitable Transit Oriented Development Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2020

Equitable Transit Oriented Development Support Act This bill revises the transportation finance infrastructure and innovation (TIFIA) program to make community development financial institutions (CDFIs) eligible for federal transportation infrastructure loans. The loans must be used for CDFI transit-oriented development projects located within one-half mile in an urban area or three-fourths of a mile in a rural area of a fixed guideway transit facility, passenger rail station, intercity bus station or intermodal facility that supports (1) commercial facilities or businesses that are located in low-income communities, (2) community facilities that are located in low-income communities or principally serve low-income persons, or (3) housing that is principally affordable to low-income persons. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must require any CDFI participating in the TIFIA program to establish a CDFI transit-oriented development account into which the proceeds of a secured loan made to the CDFI and any loan repayments from public or private entities receiving loans made to fund CDFI transit-oriented development projects will be deposited. DOT must set-aside not more than 10% of funding available to carry out the TIFIA program for CDFI transit-oriented development accounts.

A FUTURE WITHOUT PUBLIC HOUSING? EXAMINING THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S EFFORTS TO ELIMINATE PUBLIC HOUSING

United States · United States House of Representatives · 5 February 2020

A THREAT TO AMERICA'S CHILDREN: THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PROPOSAL TO GUT FAIR HOUSING ACCOUNTABILITY

United States · United States House of Representatives · 5 February 2020

Resiliency Enhancement Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2020

Resiliency Enhancement Act of 2020 This bill extends the provision of disaster assistance for critical services to solid waste management, stormwater management, public housing, transportation infrastructure, and medical care. Such assistance is also extended to any major disaster in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands subsequent to Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Maria on or before September 30, 2022.

Acknowledging the history and lasting impact of the Federal Government-created problem of redlining and the responsibility of the Federal Government to address such impact.

United States · United States Congress · 4 February 2020

This resolution acknowledges the impact of redlining (i.e., geographic discrimination) and states that the federal government has a responsibility to ameliorate its effects.

Senior Housing IRA Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2020

Senior Housing Improvement and Retirement Accounts Act of 2020 or the Senior Housing IRA Act of 2020 This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to the tax treatment of gains from the sale or exchange of a principal residence, to (1) allow a qualified individual to contribute the gains from the sale or exchange to a Roth Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) as a qualified rollover contribution which is exempt from contribution limits, and (2) increase the $250,000 limit on the exclusion from gross income for gains from the sale of a principal residence by the amount of the rollover contribution. The bill applies to individuals who (1) have attained the age of 55 before the date of the sale or exchange, (2) have owned and used the property as a principal residence for at least 20 years, and (3) have not previously elected to treat a contribution to a Roth IRA as a qualified rollover contribution under the authority provided by this bill.

Climate Resilient Communities Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2020

Climate Resilient Communities Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate, and report to Congress on, the structural and economic impacts of climate resiliency at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including recommendations on how to improve FEMA's use of building codes and standards to prepare for climate change and address resiliency in housing, public buildings, and infrastructure such as roads and bridges.

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, 2020

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020

Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief and Puerto Rico Disaster Tax Relief Act, 2020 This bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations and expands tax credits to respond to recent natural disasters and emergencies that affected Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. The funding provided by this bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill provides $4.67 billion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations for programs within the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Department of Agriculture. The programs address issues such as cybersecurity, energy security, and emergency response; the electric grid; the educational needs of individuals affected by natural disasters and emergencies; repairs to roads affected by natural disasters and emergencies; community development; and disaster nutrition assistance. The bill also expands tax credits and modifies related requirements that affect the residents of Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. The bill includes provisions regarding the child tax credit, the earned income tax credit, the low-income housing tax credit, the new markets tax credit, the amount of distilled spirits excise taxes covered over (paid) to the treasuries of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and an employee retention tax credit.

Fracking Ban Act

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020

Fracking Ban Act This bill phases out hydraulic fracturing for oil and natural gas. Hydraulic fracturing or fracking is a process to extract underground resources such as oil or gas from a geologic formation by injecting water, a propping agent (e.g., sand), and chemical additives into a well under enough pressure to fracture the geological formation. The bill prohibits federal agencies from issuing permits for the expansion of fracking or fracked oil and natural gas infrastructure, including infrastructure intended to extract, transport, or burn natural gas or oil. In addition, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to complete a survey of all oil and natural gas wells to identify the wells where fracking is, or has been, used. The survey must include a variety of data, including data on the proximity of fracking operations to inhabited structures (e.g., homes or schools). Beginning on February 1, 2021, the bill revokes permits for wells where fracking is, or has been, used within 2,500 feet of inhabited structures. The bill bans all fracking on onshore and offshore land by 2025. Finally, the bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a Just Transition Committee to make recommendations on ensuring the health and safety of individuals residing in, and the prosperity of, natural gas- and oil-producing regions during the phaseout of fracking.

WELL Seniors Act of 2020

United States · United States Congress · 28 January 2020

Wellness and Education for Longer Lives for Seniors Act of 2020 or the WELL Seniors Act of 2020 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.

Public Housing Emergency Response Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2020

Public Housing Emergency Response Act This bill authorizes additional assistance from the Public Housing Capital Fund to public housing agencies for the development, financing, and modernization of public housing developments and for management improvements.

Homelessness Emergency Declaration Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 January 2020

Homelessness Emergency Declaration Act This bill allows states to request a presidential declaration of a homelessness emergency. The bill also requires certain budgetary adjustments to discretionary accounts related to homelessness emergency assistance. Upon a presidential declaration of a homelessness emergency, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) may provide homelessness emergency assistance, including housing vouchers, to states and local communities that are or will be affected by the homelessness emergency.

ON THE BRINK OF HOMELESSNESS: HOW THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING CRISIS AND THE GENTRIFICATION OF AMERICA IS LEAVING FAMILIES VULNERABLE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 January 2020

Fulfilling the Promise of the Housing Trust Fund Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 January 2020

Fulfilling the Promise of the Housing Trust Fund Act This bill specifies that amounts received from fee increases on mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or participation certificates guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) on or after October 1, 2021, must be deposited into the Housing Trust Fund, which is dedicated to producing and preserving affordable housing. Such amounts shall be available without further appropriation.