Green New Deal for Public Housing Act

Key Points

• The bill creates a federal grant program to rehabilitate and modernize the entire public housing stock into zero-carbon homes. Agencies that take grants must commit to converting all their units within 10 years using deep energy retrofits, all-electric appliances, insulation, and on-site or purchased renewable energy.
• Residents would see health and safety upgrades including removal of lead pipes and PFAS chemicals from water, mold repairs, and free high-speed internet, plus new childcare centers, senior centers, community gardens, and on-site clinics and groceries.
• The bill steers jobs and contracts to the people who live in public housing. Over time, up to 90 percent of generated jobs must be filled by low- and very low-income persons, and up to 50 percent of contract dollars must go to resident-owned businesses.
• Residents gain more control over their housing. Every project with at least 50 units must form a democratically elected resident council, and council officers can receive stipends up to $1,000 per month.
• The bill repeals the Faircloth Amendment, which caps the number of public housing units the federal government can build, and requires that construction materials be made in the United States under Buy American rules.