No official summary available for this bill.
[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 5027 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5027
To increase access to affordable housing, reduce regulatory barriers,
increase oversight, and assist the most vulnerable.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 11, 2024
Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Rounds, Mr.
Hagerty, Ms. Lummis, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Daines) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To increase access to affordable housing, reduce regulatory barriers,
increase oversight, and assist the most vulnerable.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Renewing
Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act'' or the ``ROAD to
Housing Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--IMPROVING FINANCIAL LITERACY
Sec. 101. Reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy
programs.
TITLE II--INCREASING ACCESS TO HOUSING
Sec. 201. Rental assistance demonstration program.
Sec. 202. Creating incentives for small dollar loan originators.
Sec. 203. Small dollar mortgage points and fees.
TITLE III--REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY
Sec. 301. Authorization of Moving to Work Program.
Sec. 302. Improving self-sufficiency of families in HUD-subsidized
housing.
Sec. 303. Updating the definition of manufactured home.
TITLE IV--SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE
Sec. 401. Incentivizing local solutions to homelessness.
TITLE V--PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY
Sec. 501. Increasing housing in opportunity zones.
TITLE VI--GOOD GOVERNANCE
Sec. 601. Requiring annual testimony and oversight from housing
regulators.
Sec. 602. FHA reporting requirements on safety and soundness.
Sec. 603. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Sec. 604. Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation oversight.
TITLE I--IMPROVING FINANCIAL LITERACY
SEC. 101. REFORMS TO HOUSING COUNSELING AND FINANCIAL LITERACY
PROGRAMS.
(a) In General.--Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development
Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)(4)--
(A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``subparagraph
(D)'' and inserting ``subparagraph (E)'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``adequate
distribution'' and all that follows through
``foreclosure rates'' and inserting ``that the
recipients are geographically diverse and include
organizations that serve urban or rural areas'';
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D), (E), and
(F) as subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G), respectively;
and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (C) the
following:
``(D) Priority consideration.--In distributing
assistance made available under this paragraph, the
Secretary shall give priority consideration to entities
serving areas with the highest home foreclosure
rates.''.
(2) in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Considerations.--
``(A) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this
paragraph, the term `covered mortgage loan' means any
loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on
residential real property (including individual units
of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally
for the occupancy of from 1- to 4-families that is--
``(i) insured by the Federal Housing
Administration under title II of the National
Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.); or
``(ii) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A
of the Housing and Community Development Act of
1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b).
``(B) Comparison.--For each counselor employed by
an organization receiving assistance under this
section, the Secretary shall consider the competence of
the counselor compared to the default rate of all
counseled borrowers of a covered mortgage loan in
comparable markets, and such other factors as the
Secretary determines appropriate to further the
purposes of this section.
``(7) Suspension of certification.--If, based on the
comparison required under paragraph (6)(B), the Secretary
determines that a counselor lacks competence to provide
counseling in the areas described in subsection (e)(2), the
Secretary may--
``(A) require retesting of the individual; or
``(B) suspend the certification under this
subsection for the individual.''; and
(3) in subsection (i)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph
(4); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
``(3) Termination of assistance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary may deny future
covered assistance to an organization or entity
receiving covered assistance if the Secretary
determines that the organization or entity, or the
individual through which the organization or entity
provides such counseling, presents an unacceptable risk
to families accessing counseling services or the
programs under which covered mortgage loans (as defined
in subsection (e)(6)(A)), which determination shall
be--
``(i) based on the comparison required
under subsection (e)(6)(B); and
``(ii) made in accordance with regulations
issued by the Secretary.
``(B) Notice.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall give
an organization or entity receiving covered
assistance at least 60 days prior written
notice of any termination under this paragraph,
and the termination shall take effect at the
end of the notice period, unless the Secretary
withdraws the termination notice or extends the
notice period.
``(ii) Informal conference.--If requested
in writing by the organization or entity within
30 days of the date of the notice described in
clause (i), the organization or entity shall be
entitled to an informal conference with the
official authorized to issue termination
notices on behalf of the Secretary (or a
designee of that official) at which the
organization or entity may present for
consideration specific factors that the
organization or entity believes were beyond the
control of the organization or entity and that
caused the excessive default rates.''.
(b) Offering Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling.--
(1) Covered mortgage loan defined.--In this subsection, the
term ``covered mortgage loan'' means any loan which is secured
by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property
(including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives)
designed principally for the occupancy of from 1- to 4-families
that is--
(A) insured by the Federal Housing Administration
under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C.
1707 et seq.);
(B) guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the
Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12
U.S.C. 1715z-13a, 1715z-13b);
(C) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department
of Veterans Affairs; or
(D) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department
of Agriculture.
(2) Opportunity for borrowers.--A borrower with respect to
a covered mortgage loan who is 60 days or more delinquent on
payments for the covered mortgage loan shall be given an
opportunity to participate in housing counseling.
(3) Cost.--The cost of counseling for delinquent borrowers
described in paragraph (2) with respect to a covered mortgage
loan described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be paid for by the
Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, as authorized under section
203(r)(4) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(r)(4)).
TITLE II--INCREASING ACCESS TO HOUSING
SEC. 201. RENTAL ASSISTANCE DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM.
The language under the heading ``Rental Assistance Demonstration''
in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act,
2012 (Public Law 112-55), is amended--
(1) by striking the second proviso; and
(2) by striking the fourth proviso.
SEC. 202. CREATING INCENTIVES FOR SMALL DOLLAR LOAN ORIGINATORS.
(a) Small Dollar Mortgage Defined.--In this section, the term
``small dollar mortgage'' means a mortgage loan having an original
principal obligation of not more than $70,000 that is--
(1) secured by real property designed for the occupancy of
1 to 4 families; and
(2)(A) insured by the Federal Housing Administration under
title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
(B) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of
Veterans Affairs;
(C) made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of
Agriculture; or
(D) eligible to be purchased or securitized by the Federal
Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage
Association.
(b) Requirement To Update Regulations.--Not later than 270 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of
Consumer Financial Protection shall issue regulations to update part
1026 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as
``Regulation Z'') to provide flexibilities for loan originator
compensation that encourage origination of small dollar mortgages.
SEC. 203. SMALL DOLLAR MORTGAGE POINTS AND FEES.
(a) Definition.--In this section, the term ``small dollar
mortgage'' means a mortgage with an original principal obligation of
less than $70,000.
(b) Amendments Required.--Not later than 270 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial
Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency,
shall amend the limitations with respect to points and fees under
section 1026.43 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation, to encourage additional lending for small dollar
mortgages.
TITLE III--REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY
SEC. 301. AUTHORIZATION OF MOVING TO WORK PROGRAM.
(a) Program Reforms.--Section 204 of the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) is amended--
(1) in the section heading, by striking ``demonstration''
and inserting ``program'';
(2) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
``(a) Purposes.--The purposes of the program under this section are
as follows:
``(1) Economic independence.--To develop measures to
promote economic independence for families with children whose
head of household is working, seeking work, or preparing for
work, and for persons who are able to work, to obtain
employment and become economically independent, by
participating in job training, educational programs, or other
supportive services and programs that assist in meeting such
goal.
``(2) Flexibility and cost-effectiveness.--To give public
housing agencies and the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development the flexibility to design and implement various
approaches for providing and administering housing assistance
that reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in
Federal expenditures.
``(3) Housing choice.--To increase housing choices for low-
income families.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) by striking ``(b) Program Authority.--The
Secretary'' and inserting the following:
``(b) Program Authority.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary'';
(B) in the first sentence, by striking ``conduct a
demonstration program'' and all that follows through
``Indian housing program and'' and inserting ``carry
out a program under this section under which public
housing agencies administering the public housing
program or'';
(C) by inserting after the first sentence the
following: ``There shall be no limitation on the number
of public housing agencies that may participate in the
program under this section.'';
(D) by striking ``The Secretary shall'' and all
that follows through ``demonstration.'' and inserting
the following:
``(2) Identification of replicable models.--The Secretary
shall provide training and technical assistance under the
program and conduct detailed evaluations of various agencies to
identify replicable program models promoting the purposes of
the program.'';
(E) by striking ``Under the demonstration'' and
inserting the following:
``(3) Combination of assistance.--Under the program under
this section''; and
(F) by striking ``operating assistance provided
under section 9 of the United States Housing Act of
1937, modernization assistance provided under section
14'' and inserting ``amounts provided to the agency
from the Operating Fund under section 9(e) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937, amounts provided to
the agency from the Capital Fund under section 9(d)'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``demonstration'' and inserting ``program
under this section'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``9, and 14'' and
inserting ``9(d), and 9(e)'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking
``demonstration'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``self-
sufficiency'' and inserting ``economic
independence''; and
(II) by striking ``purpose of this
demonstration'' and inserting ``purpose
of the program under subsection
(a)(1)'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by striking
``demonstration'' and inserting ``program under
this section;'';
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by striking
``demonstration program'' and inserting
``program under this section'';
(v) by redesignating subparagraphs (A),
(B), (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B),
(C), (D), (G), and (H), respectively;
(vi) by inserting before subparagraph (B),
as so redesignated, the following:
``(A) actions to be taken under the proposed
program to achieve the purposes of the program under
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a);''; and
(vii) by inserting after subparagraph (D),
as so redesignated, the following:
``(E) hardship exceptions consistent with the
purposes under subsection (a) under which tenants may
be temporarily exempted from compliance with the
program operated by the agency in the event of
extenuating circumstances preventing such compliance
and a process that provides tenants with recourse to a
speedy determination regarding such an exception and
makes available the contents and results of such a
determination available to the public and the board of
directors or other governing body on request of the
tenant concerned and the director or other head
official of the agency;
``(F) providing assisted families and participants
in the program operated by the agency with an informal
administrative hearing or grievance process, prior to
any eviction or termination of assistance, which
process shall make the content and determination of the
hearing available to the public and the board of
directors or other governing body on request of the
tenant concerned and the director or other head
official of the agency;''; and
(D) in paragraph (4), by striking ``demonstration''
and inserting ``proposed program'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) by striking ``(d) Selection.--In selecting
among applications, the Secretary shall take into
account the potential of each agency to plan and carry
out a program under the demonstration'' and inserting
the following:
``(d) Applications for Participation.--
``(1) Submission; standards for participation.--The
Secretary shall provide for public housing agencies to submit
applications for participation in the program under this
section and shall establish, and make public, standards and
requirements for participation that further the purposes of
this program set forth in subsection (a), which shall--
``(A) provide that all public housing agencies
designated as high performers pursuant to part 902 or
subpart B of part 985, Code of Federal Regulations, at
any time during the most recent 2 fiscal years are
invited to submit applications for consideration;
``(B) provide that participation of a public
housing agency, upon approval, shall be for a period
not shorter than 10 years;
``(C) include a common set of performance metrics
for use under the program that allow for comparison of
the performance of different public housing agencies
under the program; and
``(D) require that each public housing agency
include in its application--
``(i) a list of innovative proposals to be
carried out under the program that are designed
to reduce the cost of, and increase the cost-
efficiency of, housing provided in connection
with the program and metrics to assess the
progress of the agency toward such goals; and
``(ii) a list of innovative manners in
which the public housing agency will use the
authorities under the program to assist
families, goals regarding such activities to
accomplish on an annual basis, and metrics to
assess the progress of the agency toward such
goals.
``(2) Determination and notification.--
``(A) Review and determination.--Upon receipt of an
application for participation in the program under this
section, the Secretary shall provide for review such
application by a selection panel comprised of Federal
officials and employees and established by the
Secretary for such purpose. Based on such review, such
selection panel shall make a determination of whether
to approve such agency for participation in the program
under this section, based on the criteria under
paragraph (4).
``(B) Notification.--Upon making a determination
pursuant to subparagraph (A), the selection panel shall
notify the public housing agency, the Secretary, and
the governments for any counties and municipalities in
which the jurisdiction of the public housing agency is
located of such determination. In the case of
disapproval of an application, such notice shall
include a statement specifying the reasons for such
disapproval.
``(3) Transition.--
``(A) Numerical limitation.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
review and process such applications as to
enable the transition of not fewer than 25
public housing agencies per year to the program
under this section (subject to eligible
applications), until such time as there are not
25 public housing agencies whose applications
merit approval.
``(ii) Reserved spots for small and rural
phas.--Of the applications of public housing
agencies approved in each year pursuant to
clause (i), not less than 10 shall be
applications of public housing agencies that
administer, in the aggregate, fewer than 6,000
vouchers for rental assistance under section 8
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f) and public housing dwelling
units, except that if for any year the
Secretary receives fewer than 10 applications
by public housing agencies described in this
clause that merit approval, the requirement
under this clause shall apply for such year
only to the extent of the number of such
approvable applications received.
``(iii) Treatment of new mtw agencies.--Any
agency that is newly transitioned under this
subparagraph to participation in the program as
in effect pursuant to the amendments made by
the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream
to Housing Act shall count toward fulfillment
of the numerical limitation in clause (i),
notwithstanding the authority under section 239
of the Transportation, Housing and Urban
Development, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2016 (division L of Public
Law 114-113) or any other provision of law
other than this section authorizing
participation of new agencies.
``(B) Revisions.--The Secretary shall, from time to
time and in consultation with public housing agencies,
amend governing documents for participation by agencies
in the program under this section, as the Secretary
determines necessary.
``(C) Renewal of participation.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
provide that upon expiration of a contract for
participation by a public housing agency in the
program under this section, to continue
participating in the program, the public
housing agency shall be required to request to
renew the participation of the agency with the
Secretary. The standards and requirements
applicable to applications for initial
participation in the program shall also apply
to applications for renewed participation in
the program. Renewed participation of a public
housing agency under this clause shall proceed
under the same terms applicable for the initial
participation of the public housing agency in
the program.
``(ii) Treatment of numerical limitation.--
An agency approved for continued participation
in the program pursuant to recertification
under this subparagraph shall not count toward
fulfillment of the numerical limitation in
subparagraph (A)(i).
``(4) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish criteria for
approval of applications of public housing agencies for
participation in the program under this section, which shall
provide for approval of applications that are reasonably
designed to carry out the purposes of the program under
subsection (a). Such criteria shall take into consideration the
capacity and the potential of each agency to plan and carry out
a program'';
(B) by striking ``each'' and inserting ``the'';
(C) by striking ``a program under the
demonstration'' and inserting ``the proposed program in
the application''; and
(D) by striking ``an agency'' and inserting ``the
agency'';
(6) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``this
demonstration'' and inserting ``the program under this
section''; and
(B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``demonstration''
and inserting ``program under this section'';
(7) in subsection (f), by striking ``section 9, or pursuant
to section 14 by a public housing agency participating in the
demonstration under this part'' and inserting ``of the United
States Housing Act of 1937, or provided from the Operating Fund
under section 9(e) or from the Capital Fund under section 9(d)
of such Act, by a public housing agency participating in the
program under this section'';
(8) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``, including
performance in achieving each of the purposes of the
program specified in subsection (a)'';
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the first sentence--
(I) by inserting ``, and including
such content, as shall be'' before
``specified by the Secretary''; and
(II) by inserting ``, but not less
often than annually'' before the period
at the end; and
(ii) in the second sentence--
(I) in subparagraph (B), by
striking ``the demonstration'' and
inserting ``the program''; and
(II) by striking subparagraph (C)
and inserting the following:
``(C) describe and analyze the effects of the
program of the agency and the assisted activities under
such program in addressing and achieving the objectives
of the program under this section and each of the
purposes specified in subsection (a), including the
effects of the program on--
``(i) the number of new families the agency
has been able to assist from the waiting lists
for housing assistance that is administered by
the agency, including vouchers for rental
assistance under section 8(o) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o))
and dwelling units in public housing, as a
result of the flexibility of funds and
achievement of economic independence;
``(ii) the cost and annual change, per
family participating in the program, of
providing housing assistance referred to in
clause (i) that is administered by the agency;
``(iii) any cost savings and additional
housing resulting from the program; and
``(iv) the household incomes, and changes
in such incomes, of members of families
participating in the program who are not exempt
from work requirements; and
``(v) such other factors as the Secretary
considers appropriate.'';
(C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as
paragraphs (5) and (6); and
(D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following
new paragraphs:
``(3) Annual plan.--
``(A) Requirement.--Each agency shall submit
annually to the Secretary, together with the report
under paragraph (2), a plan for the program of the
agency for the upcoming year and shall make such plan
publicly available.
``(B) Form and metrics.--Each annual plan shall be
set forth in a standard form, prescribed by the
Secretary and shall utilize common performance metrics
that allow for comparison of the plans of all public
housing agencies participating in the program.
``(C) Content.--Each annual plan shall include such
content as the Secretary shall specify, which shall
include--
``(i) a description and explanation of all
new rules and policy changes adopted by the
agency in accordance with this section and the
program under this section and, with respect to
such new rules and policy changes--
``(I) a description of the effect
such rules and changes will have on the
operation of the agency as compared to
the preceding year and as compared to
the operations of the agency other than
under the program under this section;
``(II) a description of the extent
to which such rules and changes helped
to achieve the annual goals identified
in the public housing agency's
application pursuant to subsection
(d)(1)(E) and, in the case of any such
goals not achieved, a description of
the extent to which such goals were not
achieved and the reasons for such
failure; and
``(III) whether the adoption of
such new rules and policy changes
required an adjustment in the annual
goals identified in the public housing
agency's application pursuant to
subsection (d)(1);
``(ii) a plan for all capital assets and
anticipated construction and rehabilitation
activities of the public housing agency in the
upcoming year and a description of whether and
how such activities are authorized and assisted
under the program under this section; and
``(iii) assurances satisfactory to the
Secretary that such plan will conform with all
applicable provisions of title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.),
the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.),
section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
(29 U.S.C. 794), and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et
seq.).
``(4) Public and resident participation.--
``(A) Notification of residents.--Each public
housing agency shall annually hold a meeting to notify
all assisted families participating in the program of
the public housing agency of the contents of the plan
under paragraph (3) for such year and impacts on such
assisted families. Any public housing agency that
assists, in the aggregate, more than 50,000 families or
assists families in multiple counties shall hold as
many meetings as necessary to provide each assisted
family a good-faith opportunity to attend such a
meeting.
``(B) Public comment.--Each annual report under
paragraph (2) and annual plan under paragraph (3)
shall--
``(i) be made available for inspection and
public comment 30 days before the meeting
required by subparagraph (A) regarding such
plan or report; and
``(ii) be approved in a public meeting of
the board of directors or other governing body
of the public housing agency before submission
to the Secretary.
``(C) Public availability.--Each annual report
under paragraph (2) and annual plan under paragraph (3)
shall, upon submission to the Secretary, be made
publicly available and shall include all comments
provided pursuant to subparagraph (B).'';
(9) in subsection (h)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``demonstration''
and inserting ``program under this section''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the
following:
``(2) Review.--The Secretary shall annually review the
activities of each public housing agency participating in the
program under this section and, based on such review and the
information submitted by the agency pursuant to subsection (g),
determine--
``(A) the impact and effectiveness of the public
housing agency's program and activities in achieving
each of the purposes of the program specified in
subsection (a), including an assessment of such impact
and effectiveness using the common set of budget
metrics established pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(D);
``(B) the progress of the public housing agency
toward meeting the goals identified in the public
housing agency's application pursuant to subsection
(d)(1)(E), using the metrics identified in the public
housing agency's application pursuant to such
subsection; and
``(C) the extent of compliance by the public
housing agency with the requirements of the program
under this section and, in determining such extent of
compliance, shall take into consideration the unique
characteristics of the public housing agency.
``(3) Verification of accuracy.--In assessing information
submitted by public housing agencies pursuant to subsection (g)
and in reviewing such information and making determinations
pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary
shall carry out control activities and procedures designed to
verify the accuracy of such information, which shall include
auditing a representative sample of such information using
standard statistical methods.
``(4) Continued participation.--The Secretary shall not
terminate the participation of any public housing agency in the
program under this section unless the Secretary finds that the
agency--
``(A) is in material default of the conditions and
obligations under the governing document for the
participation in the program;
``(B) as demonstrated in its reports under
subsection (g)(2) and its annual budget plans under
subsection (g)(3), has persistently failed to meet the
goals identified in its application, and the reasons or
circumstances specified in the public housing agency's
reports and plans for such failure are not sufficient
to justify the continued failure;
``(C) has misused or misappropriated funds;
``(D) has failed to make a good faith effort to
carry out the purposes of the program specified in
subsection (a); or
``(E) has failed to cure a material deficiency in
performance after notice and an opportunity to correct
the deficiency.
``(5) Corrective action program.--The Secretary shall carry
out a program--
``(A) to identify public housing agencies
participating in the program under this section that
are at risk of termination of such participation
pursuant to paragraph (6);
``(B) to consult with such public housing agencies
regarding actions that may be taken to avoid such
termination;
``(C) to establish goals and timelines for such
corrective actions; and
``(D) to provide appropriate technical assistance
designed to facilitate such actions and avoid such
termination.
``(6) Termination of participation.--Any public housing
agency whose participation in the program under this section is
terminated shall be subject to the provisions of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) and all
other provisions of law applicable to public housing agencies
not participating in the program, except that the Secretary
shall provide a transition period, that begins upon such
termination and is not shorter than 18 months, for such public
housing agencies to come into compliance with such laws.
``(7) Reports to congress.--Not later than the expiration
of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of
the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act,
and not later than the expiration of each successive 5-year
period thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the
Congress regarding the program under this section and the
results of the reviews conducted under paragraph (2), which
shall--
``(A) evaluate the programs carried out by public
housing agencies participating in the program,
including with respect to each of the purposes
specified in subsection (a); and
``(B) include findings and recommendations for
appropriate legislative changes to the program.
``(8) GAO reviews and reports.--Not later than 180 days
after the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the
American Dream to Housing Act, and not less frequently than
every 8 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United
States shall--
``(A) conduct and complete a review of the program
under this section, which shall include examination and
analysis of the implementation of the program and
identification of any shortcomings and any means for
improving the program; and
``(B) submit to the Congress a report regarding the
review, which shall set forth a detailed description of
such implementation, any shortcomings of the program
identified, and recommendations for improving the
program.'';
(10) in subsection (i)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``section 14 of the United States Housing Act
of 1937 for fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998'' and
inserting ``the Capital Fund under section 9(d) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 in each fiscal
year''; and
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``the
demonstration'' and inserting ``the program'';
and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``up
to 10''; and
(11) by striking subsection (j).
(b) Treatment of Participating Agencies.--
(1) Continuation of participation.--This section and the
amendments made by this section shall not affect the status of
any public housing agency that, as of the date of the enactment
of this Act, is participating in the Moving to Work Program
under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as such a
participating agency.
(2) Election.--Any public housing agency referred to in
paragraph (1) may elect--
(A) to continue participation in the Program under
section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) under
the terms of the agreement entered into between the
agency and the Secretary providing for such
participation until the date of the expiration of such
agreement; or
(B) at any time before date of the expiration of
such agreement, to transition to participation under
the program under such section 204, as amended by this
Act.
(3) Conversion to reformed program.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B) of this paragraph, any public housing agency that
elects pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection
to continue participation in the Program under section
204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing
and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) shall,
upon the expiration of the agreement referred to in
such paragraph, be considered to have been approved for
participation in the Program under such section 204, as
amended by this Act, and the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development shall provide for the transition of
the agency to participation under the Program under
such section as so amended.
(B) Inapplicability.--Subparagraph (A) shall not
apply to any public housing agency that is determined
by the Secretary to be in material default, upon the
expiration of the agreement referred to in paragraph
(2)(A), of the conditions and obligations under such
agreement.
(4) Inapplicability of numerical limitation.--Any public
housing agency transitioned pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) or
(3)(A) of this subsection to participation under the program
under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and
Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies
Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as amended by
this section, shall not count toward fulfillment of the
numerical limitation under section 204(d)(3)(A) of the
Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban
Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996
(42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as added by the amendment made by this
section.
SEC. 302. IMPROVING SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF FAMILIES IN HUD-SUBSIDIZED
HOUSING.
(a) In General.--
(1) Study.--Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a study on the
implementation of work requirements by public housing agencies
described in paragraph (2) participating in the program under
section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing
and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations
Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as amended by section 301 of
this Act.
(2) Public housing agencies described.--The public housing
agencies described in this paragraph are public housing
agencies that, as part of an application to participate in the
program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as
amended by section 301 of this Act, submit a proposal
identifying work requirements as an innovative proposal
described in section 204(d)(1)(D)(i) of such Act, as amended by
section 301 of this Act.
(b) Determination.--The requirement under subsection (a) shall
apply if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines
that--
(1) there are a sufficient number of public housing
agencies described in subsection (a)(2) such that the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development can rigorously evaluate the
impact of the implementation of work requirements described in
that subsection; and
(2) the study would not negatively impact low-income
families receiving assistance through a public housing agency
described in subsection (a)(2).
SEC. 303. UPDATING THE DEFINITION OF MANUFACTURED HOME.
(a) In General.--Section 603(6) of the National Manufactured
Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C.
5402(6)) is amended by striking ``on a permanent chassis'' and
inserting ``with or without a permanent chassis''.
(b) Manufactured Home Certifications.--Section 604 of the National
Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42
U.S.C. 5403) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(i) Manufactured Home Certifications.--
``(1) In general.--
``(A) Initial certification.--Subject to
subparagraph (B), not later than 1 year after the date
of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the
American Dream to Housing Act, a State shall submit to
the Secretary an initial certification that the laws
and regulations of the State--
``(i) treat a manufactured home, including
a manufactured home without a permanent
chassis, in parity with a manufactured home (as
defined and regulated by the State); and
``(ii) subject a manufactured home without
a permanent chassis to the same laws and
regulations of the State as a manufactured home
built on a permanent chassis with respect to
financing, title, insurance, manufacture, sale,
taxes, transportation, and installation.
``(B) Extended deadline.--With respect to a State
with a legislature that meets biennially, the deadline
for the submission of the initial certification
required under subparagraph (A) shall be 2 years after
the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in
the American Dream to Housing Act.
``(2) Form of certification.--The initial certification
required under paragraph (1)(A) shall contain, in a form
prescribed by the Secretary, an attestation by an official that
the State has taken the steps necessary to ensure the veracity
of the certification required under paragraph (1)(A),
including, as necessary, by--
``(A) amending the definition of `manufactured
home' in the laws and regulation of the State; and
``(B) directing State agencies to amend the
definition of `manufactured home' in regulations.
``(3) Annual recertification.--Not later than a date to be
determined by the Secretary each year, the State shall submit
to the Secretary an additional certification that--
``(A) confirms the accuracy of initial
certification submitted under paragraph (1)(A); and
``(B) certifies that any new laws or regulations
enacted or adopted by the State since the date of the
previous certification does not change the veracity of
the initial certification submitted under paragraph
(1)(A).
``(4) List.--The Secretary shall publish and maintain in
the Federal Register and on the website of the Department of
Housing and Urban Development a list of States that are up-to-
date with the submission of initial and subsequent
certifications required under this subsection.
``(5) Prohibition.--
``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph the term
`covered manufactured home' means a home that is--
``(i) not considered a manufactured home
under the laws and regulations of a State
because the home is constructed without a
permanent chassis;
``(ii) considered a manufactured home under
the definition of the term in section 603; and
``(iii) constructed after the date of
enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the
American Dream to Housing Act.
``(B) Building, installation, and sale.--
``(i) In general.--If a State does not
submit a certification under paragraph (1)(A)
or (3) by the date on which those
certifications are required to be submitted--
``(I) with respect to a State in
which the State administers the
installation of manufactured homes, the
State shall prohibit the manufacture,
installation, or sale of a covered
manufactured home within the State; and
``(II) with respect to a State in
which the Secretary administers the
installation of manufactured homes, the
State and the Secretary shall prohibit
the manufacture, installation, or sale
of a covered manufactured home within
the State.''.
(c) Other Federal Laws Regulating Manufactured Homes.--The
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall coordinate with the
heads of other Federal agencies to ensure that Federal agencies treat a
manufactured home (as defined in Federal laws and regulations other
than section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and
Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402)) in the same manner as a
manufactured home (as defined in section National Manufactured Housing
Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as
amended by this Act).
(d) Assistance to States.--Section 609 of the National Manufactured
Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5408)
is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(3) model guidance to support the submission of the
certification required under section 604(i).''.
TITLE IV--SERVING THE MOST VULNERABLE
SEC. 401. INCENTIVIZING LOCAL SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS.
(a) Continuum of Care Program.--Section 428 of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11386b) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``(f) Incentives for Reducing Homelessness.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts made available to carry
out this subtitle for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not
more than 10 percent of the amounts made available to carry out
this subtitle for incentives described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Incentives.--The Secretary may provide bonuses or
other incentives to a geographic area under this subtitle if,
during a fiscal year, the Secretary determines that an entity
receiving funds under this subtitle has demonstrably and
measurably improved housing outcomes for homeless individuals
in the geographic area.''.
(b) Emergency Solutions Grants Program.--Section 413 of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11372a) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(c) Incentives for Reducing Homelessness.--
``(1) In general.--From the amounts made available to carry
out this subtitle for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not
more than 10 percent of the amounts made available to carry out
this subtitle for incentives described in paragraph (2).
``(2) Incentives.--The Secretary may provide bonuses or
other incentives to a geographic area under this subtitle if,
during a fiscal year, the Secretary determines that an entity
receiving funds under this subtitle has demonstrably and
measurably improved housing outcomes for homeless individuals
in the geographic area.''.
TITLE V--PROMOTING OPPORTUNITY
SEC. 501. INCREASING HOUSING IN OPPORTUNITY ZONES.
(a) Covered Grant Defined.--In this section, the term ``covered
grant'' means--
(1) a Choice Neighborhoods Program grant;
(2) a grant under section 11 of the Housing Opportunity
Program Extension Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 12805 note); and
(3) any other competitive grant relating to the
construction, modification, rehabilitation, or preservation of
housing, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
(b) Priority.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall
prioritize the award of covered grants to recipients located in, or
that primarily serve, a community that has been designated as a
qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z-1 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986.
TITLE VI--GOOD GOVERNANCE
SEC. 601. REQUIRING ANNUAL TESTIMONY AND OVERSIGHT FROM HOUSING
REGULATORS.
(a) HUD Programs.--The Department of Housing and Urban Development
Act (42 U.S.C. 3531 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 15. ANNUAL TESTIMONY.
``The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, testify before the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the
status of all programs carried out by the Department, whether
authorized or unauthorized.''.
(b) Government Guaranteed or Insured Mortgages.--On an annual
basis, the following individuals shall testify before the appropriate
committees of Congress with respect to mortgage loans made, guaranteed,
or insured by the Federal Government:
(1) The President of the Government National Mortgage
Association.
(2) The Federal Housing Commissioner.
(3) The Administrator of the Rural Housing Service.
(4) The Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service of
the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c) Mortgagee Review Board.--Section 202(c)(8) of the National
Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(c)(8)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``, in consultation with the Federal
Housing Administration Advisory Board,''; and
(2) by inserting ``and to Congress'' after ``the
Secretary''.
SEC. 602. FHA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ON SAFETY AND SOUNDNESS.
(a) Monthly Reporting on Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund Capital
Ratio.--Section 202(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a))
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(8) Other required reporting.--The Secretary shall--
``(A) submit to Congress monthly reports on the
capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2); and
``(B) notify Congress as soon as practicable after
the Fund falls below the capital ratio required under
section 205(f)(2).''.
(b) Annual Independent Actuarial Study.--Section 202(a)(4) of the
National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)(4)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
`first-time homebuyer' means a borrower for whom no
consumer report (as defined in section 603 of the Fair
Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) indicates that
the borrower has or had a loan with a consumer purpose
that is secured by a 1- to 4-unit residential real
property.
``(B) Study and report.--The Secretary''; and
(2) in subparagraph (B), as so designated, by striking
``also'' and inserting ``detail how many loans were originated
in each census tract to first-time homebuyers, as well as''.
(c) Annual Report.--Section 203(w)(2) of the National Housing Act
(12 U.S.C. 1709(w))(2) is amended by inserting ``and first-time
homebuyers (as defined in section 202(a)(4)(A))'' after ``minority
borrowers''.
(d) GAO Study on Sustainable Homeownership.--Not later than 180
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General
of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a
report on--
(1) the value for the Federal Housing Administration of
defining what is sustainable homeownership in way that
considers borrower default, refinancing to a non-insured
mortgage product, paying off a mortgage loan and transitioning
back to renting, and other factors that demonstrate whether
insurance provided under title II of the National Housing Act
(12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) has successfully served a borrower,
including for first-time homebuyers (as defined in section
202(a)(4)(A) of the National Housing Act, as added by
subsection (b)(1)); and
(2) the feasibility of the Federal Housing Administration
developing a scorecard using the metrics described in paragraph
(1) to measure borrower performance and reporting the scorecard
data to Congress.
SEC. 603. UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS.
Section 203(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11313(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) by striking ``Homeless Emergency Assistance and
Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009'' and inserting
``Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing
Act''; and
(B) by striking ``update such plan annually'' and
inserting the following: ``submit to the President and
Congress a report every year thereafter that includes--
``(A) the status of completion of the plan;
``(B) any modifications that were made to the plan
and the reasons for those modifications; and
``(C) an estimate of when homelessness will be
ended;'';
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as
paragraphs (11) through (14), respectively;
(3) by redesignating the second paragraph (9) (relating to
collecting and disseminating information) as paragraph (10);
(4) in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, by striking
``and'' at the end;
(5) in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(6) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) testify annually before Congress.''.
SEC. 604. NEIGHBORHOOD REINVESTMENT CORPORATION OVERSIGHT.
(a) Inspector General.--The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation
Act (42 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 609. OVERSIGHT BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF
HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
``The Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development shall have all of the authorities and responsibilities
provided under chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, with respect
to the corporation, as if the corporation were part of the Department
of Housing and Urban Development.''.
(b) Whistleblower Protections.--Section 9101(3) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(Q) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.''.
<all>
Introduced in Senate
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
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