HR-6768 : Still Just a Bill

The "Housing Our Communities Act" proposes to establish a competitive grant program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. This program aims to support planning and implementation activities related to affordable housing across the United States.

Key provisions of the bill include:

• Grant Program Establishment: Within one year of enactment, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development will establish a competitive grant program to assist eligible entities with affordable housing initiatives.
• Eligible Entities: Grants may be awarded to States, insular areas, metropolitan cities, urban counties, regional planning agencies, or consortia of regional planning agencies.
• Use of Funds (for Regional Planning Agencies): Funds can be used for planning activities such as developing and improving housing plans and strategies, updating zoning codes, increasing capacity for housing inspections, reducing barriers to housing supply and affordability, and developing community development plans that enhance access to affordable housing, public transportation, and sustainable development.
• Use of Funds (for States, Insular Areas, Metropolitan Cities, and Urban Counties): Funds can be used for implementing and administering housing strategies and plans, funding community investments supporting housing goals, implementing reformed zoning codes, increasing housing inspection capacity, reducing barriers to housing supply and affordability, and funding planning to increase affordable housing availability, access to public transportation, and location-efficient community development.
• Administrative Costs: Not more than 10 percent of grant funds may be used for administrative costs.
• Coordination: The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is directed to coordinate with the Federal Transit Administrator where practicable.
• Additional Eligible Uses: Expenditures on new housing construction are explicitly allowed. Costs for buildings used for the general conduct of non-federal government are eligible if necessary and appropriate as part of a natural hazard mitigation project.
• Definition of Housing Plan: A "housing plan" is defined as a plan to increase housing availability, affordability, and accessibility (including for people with disabilities and location-efficient housing), preserve quality, reduce development barriers, and coordinate with transportation agencies.