Housing Our Communities Act

This bill establishes a new competitive grant program, to be administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, aimed at supporting both the planning and implementation of affordable housing initiatives . Within one year of enactment, the program will award grants on a competitive basis to eligible entities, including states, insular areas, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and regional planning agencies. These grants are designed to assist communities in addressing housing needs and increasing housing choice. Grant funds can be used for a wide array of activities, such as developing housing plans, improving housing strategies, and updating zoning codes to reduce barriers to housing supply and affordability. The program supports increasing the availability, affordability, and accessibility of housing, enhancing capacity for housing inspections, and developing community plans that integrate public transportation access and sustainable development. Funds are also explicitly eligible for new housing construction , with administrative costs capped at 10 percent, and the Secretary is directed to coordinate with the Federal Transit Administrator.