Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

This bill, known as the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act, aims to comprehensively modernize and transform public housing across the United States. Its core purposes include rehabilitating distressed public housing, upgrading facilities with cutting-edge, U.S.-made materials and all-electric appliances, and transitioning the entire public housing stock into highly energy-efficient, zero-carbon homes. The legislation also seeks to stimulate workforce development, improve living standards, and maximize tenant participation in the rehabilitation process. The bill establishes two primary grant programs: one for public housing community workforce development and another for Green New Deal public housing projects . Workforce development grants support partnerships with labor organizations, offering career skills training, direct entry to apprenticeships, and technical assistance for resident-owned businesses. These grants also provide stipends, childcare, and financial literacy courses for participants, focusing on employment opportunities for local low-income individuals, including those formerly incarcerated. The Green New Deal grants fund extensive deep energy retrofits , such as super insulation, electrification of heating and water systems, and air sealing to enhance energy efficiency. Significant investments are also directed towards water quality upgrades to address contaminants like lead and PFAS, ensuring safe drinking water. These grants further support the development of community energy generation through renewable sources and energy storage systems, alongside community resilience projects like childcare centers, gardens, and high-speed internet. To receive these grants, eligible entities must commit to transitioning all public housing to zero-carbon homes within ten years and pledge not to reduce the number of public housing units. A crucial component is robust resident and community engagement , requiring multiple public comment periods and the signed approval of resident councils and local labor organizations. The bill includes strong labor and Buy American provisions , mandating U.S.-made materials, prevailing wages, project labor agreements for large projects, and policies that support labor organizing and prevent worker displacement. The legislation significantly amends the Section 3 program for economic opportunities , establishing phased hiring requirements for low- and very low-income individuals in positions generated by public housing assistance, reaching 90% after two years. It also mandates that a growing percentage of contracts be awarded to subsidized housing resident-owned businesses , reaching 50% after two years. Public housing agencies will be required to maintain a workforce roster to connect residents with job opportunities and report quarterly on economic impacts. Additionally, the bill strengthens the Family Self-Sufficiency Program by expanding eligibility and adding digital literacy and home-based services, while also mandating the formation of resident councils in public housing projects with 50 or more units, empowering them to participate in operational decisions and providing stipends for officers. Finally, the bill repeals the Faircloth Amendment , removing the federal cap on the number of public housing units and allowing for the construction of new public housing to address unmet needs.