Housing

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021 This bill addresses housing affordability and availability, makes certain changes to the estate and gift taxes, and contains other related provisions. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall provide grants to (1) state and local governments that remove unnecessary barriers to building affordable units, (2) states to assist borrowers who have negative equity in their homes, (3) state housing finance agencies to construct or acquire affordable rental housing and prevent tenant displacement and harassment, and (4) eligible individuals (generally, lower income individuals who resided in low-income or historically racially segregated areas) to help them purchase their first homes. The bill provides funding through FY2031 for the first-time homeowner grant program established by the bill, through FY2022 for the affordable rental housing construction program established by the bill, and through FY2022 for specified existing rural housing programs. The bill also expands fair housing protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, veteran status, or an individual's perceived membership in a protected class (e.g., an individual's perceived race or sex). Additionally, the bill modifies the estate tax in various ways, including by reducing the number of brackets to three, increasing the tax rates, and reducing the basic exemption amount. The bill also modifies provisions related to gift taxes and transfer taxes.

Puppy Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Puppy Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to expand standards that govern the humane handling, care, treatment, and transportation of animals to include new requirements for commercial dog dealers. Specifically, the standards must require dog dealers to provide to dogs adequate housing, exercise, and veterinary care; appropriate and nutritious food; continuous access to potable water; and meaningful socialization with humans and compatible dogs for at least 30 minutes each day. The standards must also include requirements for breeders to use safe breeding practices and make all reasonable efforts to find humane placement for retired breeding dogs.

Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Affordable Housing Preservation Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a demonstration program for the establishment or preservation of limited- or zero-equity resident-controlled housing. Limited- or zero-equity resident-controlled housing (e.g., a housing cooperative) restricts the initial and resale price of shares of stock or membership interests in a residence so that the shares or interests remain affordable to families of certain incomes. Specifically, HUD may assist nonprofit organizations to establish or preserve such housing through providing (1) mortgage insurance; and (2) grants for predevelopment costs, monitoring fees, technical assistance, gap funding, and intermediary financing. Housing receiving such assistance must be governed by a board of directors elected by members of a limited- or zero-equity resident-controlled housing corporation with voting structured equitably among all members. A limited- or zero-equity resident-controlled housing corporation may sell corporate shares in such housing to an eligible household for a purchase price that ensures dwelling units in the housing will remain affordable for at least 30 years to households earning less than a certain income.

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2021

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act This bill addresses the interaction of disaster recovery relief assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill prohibits HUD and recipients of HUD disaster relief grants from (1) considering whether an applicant for assistance rejected a separate disaster loan from the SBA, or (2) reducing the amount of assistance by the amount of a rejected SBA loan.

Public Housing Solar Equity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Public Housing Solar Equity Act of 2021 This bill requires public housing agencies (PHAs) to take certain actions when selling or leasing assets in connection with a solar energy project. Specifically, a PHA must ensure that such a sale or lease financially benefits the residents of the public housing project as well as the budget of the PHA. Further, if a buyer or lessee intends to derive a product or service from the asset, the PHA must require that the product or service be offered and provided to residents of the public housing project before being offered and provided to nonresidents. Additionally, a PHA must include certain information regarding assets it intends to sell or lease in the upcoming year in its annual plan.

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021 This bill addresses housing affordability and availability, makes certain changes to the estate and gift taxes, and contains other related provisions. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall provide grants to (1) state and local governments that remove unnecessary barriers to building affordable units, (2) states to assist borrowers who have negative equity in their homes, (3) state housing finance agencies to construct or acquire affordable rental housing and prevent tenant displacement and harassment, and (4) eligible individuals (generally, lower income individuals who resided in low-income or historically racially segregated areas) to help them purchase their first homes. The bill provides funding through FY2031 for the first-time homeowner grant program established by the bill, through FY2022 for the affordable rental housing construction program established by the bill, and through FY2022 for specified existing rural housing programs. The bill also expands fair housing protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, veteran status, or an individual's perceived membership in a protected class (e.g., an individual's perceived race or sex). Additionally, the bill modifies the estate tax in various ways, including by reducing the number of brackets to three, increasing the tax rates, and reducing the basic exemption amount. The bill also modifies provisions related to gift taxes and transfer taxes.

Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 22 April 2021

Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the President to provide disaster assistance to states and Indian tribes for unmet need, including necessary expenses for activities related to disaster relief, resiliency, long-term recovery, restoration of infrastructure and housing, mitigation, and economic revitalization after a major disaster is declared. The bill also establishes a Natural Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund to facilitate planning and increase capacity to administer assistance.

SURVIVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Securing Urgent Resources Vital to Indian Victim Empowerment Act or the SURVIVE Act This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime must make grants for Indian tribes to provide programs and services to crime victims. These programs and services include domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, child abuse programs, child advocacy centers, elder abuse programs, medical care, legal services, relocation assistance, and transitional housing. In addition, the bill makes 5% of the Crime Victims Fund available for these grants.

Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2021

Access to Healthy Food for Young Children Act of 2021 This bill revises several provisions related to the Child and Adult Care Food Program. These revisions include increasing reimbursement rates; requiring reimbursements to be adjusted annually to reflect the Consumer Price Index for food away from home, rather than the Consumer Price Index for food at home used under current law; providing for an additional meal service to be served in child care settings with eight or more hours between the first meal service and the beginning of the fourth meal service; expanding geographical eligibility for tier I family or group day care homes; and requiring the Department of Agriculture to establish an advisory committee to examine the feasibility of reducing unnecessary or duplicative paperwork for those participating or seeking to participate in the program. The bill also provides funding to (1) provide nutrition training and technical assistance under the program, and (2) increase the participation of children from underserved communities.

Recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving greenhouse gas and toxic emissions reductions needed to stay under 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming; establishing millions of high-wage union jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality. The resolution calls for accomplishment of these goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort. The resolution also enumerates the goals and projects of the mobilization effort, including building smart power grids (i.e., power grids that enable customers to reduce their power use during peak demand periods); upgrading all existing buildings and constructing new buildings to achieve maximum energy and water efficiency; removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and agricultural sectors; cleaning up existing hazardous waste and abandoned sites; ensuring businesspersons are free from unfair competition; and providing higher education, high-quality health care, and affordable, safe, and adequate housing to all.

A resolution recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal.

United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2021

This resolution calls for the creation of a Green New Deal with the goals of achieving greenhouse gas and toxic emissions reductions needed to stay under 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming; establishing millions of high-wage union jobs and ensuring economic security for all; investing in infrastructure and industry; securing clean air and water, climate and community resiliency, healthy food, access to nature, and a sustainable environment for all; and promoting justice and equality. The resolution calls for accomplishment of these goals through a 10-year national mobilization effort. The resolution also enumerates the goals and projects of the mobilization effort, including building smart power grids (i.e., power grids that enable customers to reduce their power use during peak demand periods); upgrading all existing buildings and constructing new buildings to achieve maximum energy and water efficiency; removing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation and agricultural sectors; cleaning up existing hazardous waste and abandoned sites; ensuring businesspersons are free from unfair competition; and providing higher education, high-quality health care, and affordable, safe, and adequate housing to all.

District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

District of Columbia-Maryland Reunion Act This bill cedes the District of Columbia to Maryland after Maryland's acceptance of the retrocession. Furthermore, the bill declares that the National Capital Service Area in the District shall not be ceded and relinquished to Maryland and shall continue to serve as the permanent seat of the federal government. The bill maintains the exclusive legislative authority and control of Congress over the area. Finally, excluding the District Building, the area shall include the principal federal monuments, the White House, the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Supreme Court Building, the federal executive, legislative, and judicial office buildings located adjacent to the Mall and the U.S. Capitol, including any federal real property affronting or abutting such area, such as the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Energy buildings.

To provide direct funding to local, Tribal, and territorial governments to establish Green New Deal programs and initiatives, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

Green New Deals for Cities Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide funding to states, local governments, or Native American nations to carry out Green New Deal projects, such as projects to clean up pollution, climate adaptation measures, or conservation projects on family farms. In order to receive such funding, a state, local government, or Native American nation must have a local Green New Deal program proposal and meet other requirements as specified by the bill. A proposal must contain certain commitments, including a commitment to zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 through a fair and just transition for all communities and workers.

Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

Green New Deal for Public Housing Act This bill addresses energy efficiency and workforce development in the context of public housing. Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must award grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) and other eligible entities under a variety of new programs, including programs for facilitating workforce development and high-income employment transition; conducting physical needs assessments and subsequent energy efficiency retrofits; and making upgrades, replacements, and improvements for energy efficiency, building electrification, and water quality upgrades. Recipients of these grants must provide relocation assistance for residents who are displaced during construction and must ensure that they can return to their homes once retrofitting is completed. A certain percentage of the employment positions generated by these grant programs and other specified federal grant programs must be filled by low-income individuals, and a specified percentage of certain contracts associated with these programs must be awarded to businesses owned by residents of public housing. The bill also repeals a provision that prohibits a PHA from using HUD funds to construct or operate new public housing units if doing so would result in the PHA owning or operating more units than it did on October 1, 1999.

Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 April 2021

Green New Deal for Public Housing Act This bill addresses energy efficiency and workforce development in the context of public housing. Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must award grants to public housing agencies (PHAs) and other eligible entities under a variety of new programs, including programs for facilitating workforce development and high-income employment transition; conducting physical needs assessments and subsequent energy efficiency retrofits; and making upgrades, replacements, and improvements for energy efficiency, building electrification, and water quality upgrades. Recipients of these grants must provide relocation assistance for residents who are displaced during construction and must ensure that they can return to their homes once retrofitting is completed. A certain percentage of the employment positions generated by these grant programs and other specified federal grant programs must be filled by low-income individuals, and a specified percentage of certain contracts associated with these programs must be awarded to businesses owned by residents of public housing. The bill also repeals a provision that prohibits a PHA from using HUD funds to construct or operate new public housing units if doing so would result in the PHA owning or operating more units than it did on October 1, 1999.

Public Housing Fire Safety Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2021

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.

Sandy Duplication of Benefits Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Sandy Duplication of Benefits Fairness Act This bill expands the applicability of the waiver of the prohibition against duplication of benefits for disaster relief recipients following Superstorm Sandy. Under current law, the waiver period extends from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2021. This bill begins that period on October 1, 2012, through December 31, 2021. This change would permit individuals who suffered losses resulting from Superstorm Sandy and who initially applied for and received federal benefits, including Small Business Administration disaster relief loans, to receive additional federal benefits, including funds under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Block Grant for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), without having to repay such additional benefits.

Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2021 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments, and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to increase state allocations of the credit; repeal the qualified census tract population cap; prohibit local approval and contribution requirements; increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households; increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies; eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits; and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, acquisition credits, and foreclosures.

HOPE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2021 or the HOPE Act of 2021 This bill establishes two 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. The first project provides awards to certain government entities to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information on public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS must hold a competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. The second pilot project provides grants that allow government and nonprofit organizations to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.

Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2021

Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2021 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2021 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments, and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to increase state allocations of the credit; repeal the qualified census tract population cap; prohibit local approval and contribution requirements; increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households; increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies; eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits; and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, acquisition credits, and foreclosures.

BUILD BACK BETTER: INVESTING IN EQUITABLE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 14 April 2021

Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Survivors Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021

Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Act of 2021 This bill prohibits discrimination against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or sex trafficking in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate activities.

THRIVE Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021

Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act or the THRIVE Act This bill makes updates to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) training and education policies and programs, including by amending the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. First, in implementing the VA's rapid retraining assistance program, the list of high-demand occupations must be prepared in conjunction with the Department of Labor. The VA may add and remove occupations as appropriate. The bill excludes programs pursued solely through distance learning on a half-time basis or less from the housing stipend available to those participating in the retraining program. The Government Accountability Office must report on the outcomes and effectiveness of the retraining program. Next, the VA must provide veterans and members of the Armed Forces with information about whether (1) a postsecondary education institution is listed on the College Navigator website as being affiliated with a certain religion, (2) an institution is minority serving, and (3) an institution is gender specific. The bill includes for-profit educational institutions that are converted to public educational institutions in the annual risk-based survey the state approving agency must conduct. Finally, the VA must take certain disciplinary action when any person with whom an educational institution has an agreement for marketing, advertising, educational programs, recruiting, or admissions services engages in specified behaviors, such as providing a type of incentive payment to persons engaged in student recruiting.

To enhance oversight of the implementation of subtitles B and C of title III of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by the Secretary of the Treasury and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021

This bill provides for increased oversight of American Rescue Plan activities relating to housing and small business. The Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (which is within the Department of the Treasury) shall conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of such activities undertaken by Treasury, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Department of Agriculture. The Congressional Oversight Commission shall conduct oversight of implementation of such activities by Treasury and HUD. HUD and other specified entities must testify on a quarterly basis before specified congressional committees regarding such activities.

Lead Abatement for Families Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021

Lead Abatement for Families Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to identify federally assisted housing projects that use lead-based water pipes and allows HUD to award grants for the replacement of these pipes to public housing agencies and other owners.

Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Survivors Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2021

Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Survivors Act of 2021 This bill prohibits discrimination against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or sex trafficking in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate activities.

SEPARATE AND UNEQUAL: THE LEGACY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING

United States · United States Senate · 13 April 2021

Urban Forests Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021

Urban Forests Act of 2021 This bill provides for support to maintain urban forests. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall establish a grant program to be known as the Tree City USA Grant Program to provide competitive grants to qualifying local governments to enhance and maintain urban forests. USDA and the Department of Labor shall jointly establish Civilian Conservation Centers in urban and community areas. A specified five-year report on state forests and their resources shall contain an analysis of forest carbon over the previous two decades. Such report shall demonstrate the efforts taken by the Forest Service to conduct a strategic national forest inventory by measuring field plots in combination with advanced technology to improve data, information, and estimates of precision; and use advanced geospatial technologies to improve the area and volume estimates of those field plots, especially for sub-state regions and smaller areas. USDA shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Departments of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, the Interior, Labor, and Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency to identify strategies to increase equitable access to urban forests through existing programs and authorities; and conduct research on the benefits of urban forests for air quality, heat island mitigation, energy burden reduction, and enhanced shading for heat-resilient housing and active transit.

To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021

This bill establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to administer economic opportunity assistance programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Specifically, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration must administer the following Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs: vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance programs, veterans' housing loan and related programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. Prior to the transfer of administrative responsibilities, the bill requires the VA to certify that (1) the transition of the provision of services will not negatively affect the provision of such services to veterans, and (2) such services are ready to be transferred.

A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021

This bill establishes the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration to administer economic opportunity assistance programs for veterans and their dependents and survivors. Specifically, the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration must administer the following Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs: vocational rehabilitation and employment programs, educational assistance programs, veterans' housing loan and related programs, the Transition Assistance Program, and the database of small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans. Prior to the transfer of administrative responsibilities, the bill requires the VA to certify that (1) the transition of the provision of services will not negatively affect the provision of such services to veterans, and (2) such services are ready to be transferred.

Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021

Build More Housing Near Transit Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements for the fixed guideway capital investment grant program. Specifically, the bill revises how the Department of Transportation evaluates and rates fixed guideway capital projects under the program to include affordable housing incentives.

Sandy Duplication of Benefits Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2021

Sandy Duplication of Benefits Fairness Act This bill expands the applicability of the waiver of the prohibition against duplication of benefits for disaster relief recipients following Superstorm Sandy. Under current law, the waiver period extends from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2021. This bill begins that period on October 1, 2012, through December 31, 2021. This change would permit individuals who suffered losses resulting from Superstorm Sandy and who initially applied for and received federal benefits, including Small Business Administration disaster relief loans, to receive additional federal benefits, including funds under the Department of Housing and Urban Development Block Grant for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), without having to repay such additional benefits.

Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2021

Affordable Housing for Homeless Veterans Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes and modifies a program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that provides housing assistance to homeless veterans. Specifically, the bill authorizes the VA to enter into agreements with specified entities (e.g., nonprofit organizations or tribal entities) through September 30, 2025, to assist homeless veterans and their families in acquiring shelter or permanent housing. Under the bill, the VA may enter into agreements where an entity that is buying, leasing, or receiving property agrees to sell or rent the property directly to homeless veterans or veterans at risk of homelessness.

Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2021

Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill allows tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) that apply such grants to their collegiate housing property. A collegiate housing and infrastructure grant is a grant to provide, improve, operate, or maintain collegiate housing property that may involve more than incidental social, recreational, or private purposes. The grant must be for purposes that would be permissible for a dormitory or other residential facility of the college or university with which the collegiate housing property is associated. The grant may not be used to provide physical fitness facilities.

Protecting Military Families with Disabilities Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2021

Protecting Military Families with Disabilities Act This bill prohibits a landlord who provides housing for Department of Defense installations from collecting a supplemental payment in addition to rent to modify or upgrade a unit to facilitate occupancy by a disabled individual and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

SOBER Homes Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2021

Studying Outcomes and Benchmarks for Effective Recovery Homes Act or the SOBER Homes Act This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to study and make recommendations on recovery housing. Recovery housing refers to shared living environments free from alcohol and illicit drug use and centered on peer support and connection to services that promote sustained recovery from substance use disorders. As part of the study, NASEM must identify relevant research and data gaps that hinder reporting on the quality and effectiveness of recovery housing. After publication of the study, the Department of Health and Human Services must contract with an appropriate entity to conduct research to fill those gaps.

Excellence in Recovery Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2021

Excellence in Recovery Housing Act This bill tasks the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) with various activities to promote the availability of high-quality recovery housing for individuals with substance use disorders. Recovery housing refers to shared living environments free from alcohol and illicit drug use and centered on peer support and connection to services that promote sustained recovery from substance use disorders. Specifically, SAMHSA must develop and publish on its website standards and guidelines for recovery housing; award grants to states, tribal nations, territories, and localities to implement such standards and guidelines; convene an interagency working group to coordinate federal activities related to recovery housing; and arrange for research on the supply, quality, and effectiveness of recovery housing.

HOPE Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2021

Health, Opportunity, and Personal Empowerment Act of 2021 or the HOPE Act of 2021 This bill establishes two 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. The first project provides awards to certain government entities to assist eligible individuals in establishing HOPE accounts through banks, credit unions, or governmental agencies. HOPE accounts must (1) provide access to specified financial services and information on public benefits, health insurance, and other topics; and (2) facilitate activities such as applying for government benefits and filing taxes. HHS must hold a competition to award contracts to private businesses and nonprofits to develop technology applications and other tools for HOPE accounts. The second pilot project provides grants that allow government and nonprofit organizations to enter voluntary agreements with eligible individuals to carry out long-term plans related to improving economic security and upward mobility.

Senior Accessible Housing Act

United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2021

Senior Accessible Housing Act This bill allows a refundable income tax credit to individual taxpayers who have attained age 60 for expenditures in their residences for the installation of entrance and exit ramps, the widening of doorways, the installation of handrails, grab bars, and non-slip flooring. The amount of the credit is reduced if a taxpayer's adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts and is limited to a lifetime amount of $30,000 over amounts paid in previous taxable years.

Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2021

Keep Your Home and Prevent Homelessness Act of 2021 This bill allows the Department of the Treasury to transfer Troubled Asset Relief Program funds to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Housing Trust Fund. This fund provides grants to states to (1) increase and preserve the supply of rental housing for extremely low-income and very low-income families, including homeless families; and (2) increase homeownership for extremely low-income and very low-income families.

Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021

Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2021 This bill permanently extends the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs and services: homeless veterans reintegration programs, financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, housing assistance for homeless veterans, and the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.

Equitable Transit Oriented Development Support Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021

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.

Housing Accountability Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021

Housing Accountability Act of 2021 This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that a property owner receiving low-income housing assistance payments for an existing public housing unit must maintain decent, safe, and sanitary conditions for the housing structure. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) must survey tenants of these structures semiannually to identify problems with the structures or with management. A structure must be referred to HUD for remediation if consistent or persistent problems are identified. HUD may impose penalties on an owner of a structure that violates this bill.

Our Homes, Our Votes Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 March 2021

Our Homes, Our Votes Act This bill facilitates voter registration for residents of certain federally assisted housing for the purpose of federal elections. Specifically, the bill requires each lease and annual income recertification for such housing that is administered by a public housing agency (PHA) to include a voter registration application. A PHA must send any completed application to state election officials. The bill also treats owners of federally assisted housing as voter registration agencies.

Adrianne Todman, of the Virgin Islands, to be Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, vice Brian D. Montgomery.

United States · United States Senate · 25 March 2021

CARA 3.0 Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2021

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

Crumbling Foundations Small Business and Homeowners Assistance Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2021

Crumbling Foundations Small Business and Homeowners Assistance Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency to award grants for states to assist homeowners, small-business owners, and condominium associations in preventing, mitigating, and repairing structural damage to concrete foundations that contain pyrrhotite (an iron sulfide mineral linked to crumbling foundations).

Aid to Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2021

Aid to Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants for states to assist residential building owners in repairing or replacing concrete foundations that have deteriorated due to pyrrhotite (an iron sulfide mineral).

Turn the Tide Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 March 2021

Turn the Tide Act This bill provides funding for various programs and activities to prevent, treat, and otherwise address substance use disorders. It also makes changes to insurance coverage for substance use disorders. Specifically, the bill provides funding for training and other support for students, health care providers, and others in the substance use disorder workforce; prescription drug take-back programs; surveillance and public health activities to detect and respond to substance use issues; treatment and recovery services, including for specified populations; housing services for individuals in treatment and recovery; drug treatment courts, peer mentoring and wellness support in law enforcement agencies, and other criminal justice activities; and drug-free community coalitions. In addition, the bill modifies insurance coverage for substance use disorder drugs and treatments by prohibiting prior authorizations and other utilization control policies for medication-assisted treatments under Medicaid and private insurance plans, and requiring Medicare drug plans and private insurance plans to offer at least one opioid reversal drug without cost-sharing. Furthermore, the bill increases Medicaid payment rates for mental and behavioral health services and requires the federal government to cover the costs of this increase. Additionally, the bill requires that non-opioid treatment options associated with surgery be reimbursed separately, instead of on a packaged basis, under Medicare. The bill also extends certain Medicaid waivers for delivery reform incentive payments for states that have high rates of drug overdose deaths.

PRESERVING A LIFELINE: EXAMINING PUBLIC HOUSING IN A PANDEMIC

United States · United States House of Representatives · 24 March 2021