The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is mandated to establish a competitive grant program within one year of enactment. This program will award funds to eligible entities , including states, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and regional planning agencies, to assist with planning and implementation activities for affordable housing. Importantly, these grants are specifically prohibited from being used for construction, alteration, or repair work. Regional planning agencies receiving funds must use them for planning activities such as developing housing plans, updating zoning codes, and increasing capacity to reduce housing barriers. Other eligible entities, like states and cities, can use grants to implement and administer housing strategies, fund community investments, and increase capacity for housing inspections and regulatory reforms. The program aims to increase affordable housing availability, improve access to public transportation, and advance location-efficient community development, with a 10% cap on administrative costs and a 5-year sunset provision.