S. 5284: Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

This bill would create a federal grant program through HUD to help public housing agencies modernize and repair public housing developments. The grants would fund major renovations aimed at making buildings more energy-efficient, all-electric, and zero-carbon. They could also be used for improvements such as better water quality, accessibility upgrades, resilience against disasters, and added community amenities.

What the grants could pay for

• Energy-efficient and all-electric retrofits
• Zero-carbon upgrades
• Water quality improvements
• Accessibility and safety improvements
• Resilience and climate-related upgrades
• Community facilities and amenities
• Workforce training, apprenticeships, and resident business opportunities

Resident protections and input

The bill requires public housing residents to have a role in planning these projects. It also says that renovations should not reduce the number of public housing units available. If residents are displaced during construction, the bill requires protections for them so they are not left without housing support.

Labor and procurement rules

The bill includes several labor and contracting requirements for projects receiving funding. These include paying Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, using project labor agreements, and protecting workers’ rights to organize. It also includes rules against relying on temporary workers in certain situations, worker non-displacement protections, and apprenticeship requirements.

The bill also requires the use of U.S.-made materials in covered projects, and it strengthens Section 3 requirements, which are designed to increase hiring and contracting opportunities for low-income residents and local businesses.

HUD oversight and implementation

HUD would be required to consult with relevant agencies, issue reports, and oversee the grant program. Public housing authorities would also need to work with resident councils and other resident representatives during planning and implementation.

Housing supply changes

The bill says public housing units renovated through the program should remain public housing permanently. It also repeals the Faircloth amendment, which currently limits the creation of new public housing units in many places. This would remove that cap and allow more public housing to be built or preserved under federal rules.

Relevant Companies

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