H.R. 5034: Liberty City Rising Act

This bill, known as the Liberty City Rising Act, aims to enhance the safety and security of families living in public and federally assisted housing located in high-crime areas. The key points of the bill include:

Definition of High-Crime Areas

The bill defines a "high-crime area" as a neighborhood where there is a high incidence of violent crime, determined by the most recent available crime data from local or state sources. This classification will be used to impose specific safety standards in public housing projects within these areas.

New Safety Standards for Public Housing

The bill requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish safety and security standards for public housing and project-based assisted housing located in high-crime areas. These standards will include:

• Assessing and implementing security measures tailored to the specific needs of each housing project.
• Possible requirements for security cameras, locks, lighting, and other security enhancements.

Anonymous Reporting Hotline

Public housing agencies that operate in high-crime areas must set up an anonymous hotline for tenants to report suspicious activities and crimes. This aims to increase safety and foster community involvement in crime prevention.

Regulations for Project-Based Assistance

For structures that receive project-based assistance and are located in high-crime areas, the bill mandates that:

• Owners must maintain these structures in accordance with the newly established safety and security standards.
• Periodic inspections must include checks on compliance with these safety standards.

Deadlines for Implementation

The bill sets specific timelines for the implementation of these measures:

• Within 90 days after the bill becomes law, HUD must determine which areas qualify as high-crime areas.
• Within one year of enactment, HUD must establish the required safety and security standards for the relevant housing projects.

Grant Funding Priority

The bill also affects grant allocations for public housing agencies by giving priority to applications focused on safety and security measures in high-crime areas. This aims to ensure that funding is directed to the areas that need it most significantly.

Overall Objective

The overall objective of the Liberty City Rising Act is to improve living conditions for families residing in public and federally assisted housing by increasing their safety and promoting a secure environment, ultimately reducing the impact of crime in these communities.

Relevant Companies

• None found