Housing Building Occupancy Opportunities for Millions Act; Housing BOOM Act
Summary
The Housing Building Occupancy Opportunities for Millions Act (Housing BOOM Act) is a bill introduced in the Senate aiming to increase the housing supply in the United States. It addresses various aspects of housing, including boosting the housing supply, combating homelessness, providing tenant support, and ensuring fair housing practices. The bill proposes several initiatives, such as increasing state housing credit ceilings, establishing a middle-income housing construction loan fund, and creating workforce housing block grant programs.
Furthermore, the Act focuses on increasing funding for existing programs like the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investments Partnership program, and supportive housing initiatives. It also introduces new programs, such as grants for converting structures into emergency shelters and affordable housing. The bill also addresses homelessness by increasing funding for assistance programs and establishing a SAMHSA Center for Unhoused Individuals.
Finally, the Housing BOOM Act includes provisions for tenant support through increased rental assistance and eviction prevention measures. It also establishes an Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Preservation and mandates a HUD Language Access Plan to ensure fair housing practices.
Expected Effects
If enacted, the Housing BOOM Act would likely lead to an increase in the availability of affordable housing across the United States. This would be achieved through a combination of increased funding for existing programs and the creation of new initiatives aimed at boosting housing supply and supporting vulnerable populations.
The Act could also reduce homelessness by providing additional resources for assistance programs and mental health services for unhoused individuals. Tenant support provisions could help prevent evictions and ensure fair housing practices, while the Interagency Council on Housing Affordability and Preservation could lead to more coordinated and effective federal housing policies.
However, the Act's success will depend on the effective implementation of its various programs and the availability of sufficient funding. The prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements could also impact construction costs and timelines.
Potential Benefits
- Increased affordable housing options for low- and middle-income families.
- Reduced homelessness through increased assistance and supportive services.
- Improved tenant protections and eviction prevention measures.
- Enhanced coordination of federal housing policies through the Interagency Council.
- Job creation in the construction and related industries due to increased building activity.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential increase in government debt due to increased spending.
- Possible delays and increased costs in construction due to prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
- Risk of inefficient allocation of funds if programs are not effectively managed.
- Potential for unintended consequences from new regulations and programs.
- Increased administrative burden on federal agencies to manage new and expanded programs.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The Housing BOOM Act aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by aiming to provide affordable housing and reduce homelessness. The Act's focus on housing and community development falls under Congress's power to regulate commerce and provide for the general welfare. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Bill of Rights.
However, the Act's reliance on federal funding for state and local programs raises questions about the balance of power between the federal government and the states. While the Act does not mandate specific actions by states, the availability of federal funding could incentivize states to adopt policies that align with the federal government's priorities.
Overall, the Housing BOOM Act appears to be constitutionally permissible, but its impact on the balance of power between the federal government and the states should be carefully considered.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).