H.R.646 - Build Housing with Care Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.646, the Build Housing with Care Act of 2025, aims to address the affordable housing and child care crises by establishing a grant program. This program would promote the co-location of housing and child care providers. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from 2025 through 2030 for this purpose.
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would administer the grant program, consulting with the Secretaries of Health and Human Services, Treasury, and Agriculture. Eligible entities, including community development financial institutions, child care providers, and public housing authorities, can apply for grants to design, construct, or renovate co-location facilities.
The bill also mandates a GAO study on child care access for public housing residents, requiring a report to Congress within 12 months of enactment.
Expected Effects
The bill's primary effect would be to increase the availability of affordable housing and child care by incentivizing their co-location. This could lead to reduced costs and increased convenience for families, particularly those with low incomes.
Furthermore, the GAO study could highlight existing barriers and potential improvements to child care access within public housing, informing future policy decisions. The program could also stimulate local economies through construction and job creation in the child care sector.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to affordable housing and child care.
- Potential reduction in costs for families needing both services.
- Stimulation of local economies through construction and job creation.
- Improved convenience for families by co-locating housing and child care.
- Data-driven policy improvements based on the GAO study.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for mismanagement or inefficient allocation of grant funds.
- Risk that the program may not reach all communities in need.
- Possible delays in implementation due to bureaucratic processes.
- The $10 million grant cap might be insufficient for large-scale projects.
- The program's success depends on effective collaboration between various government agencies and eligible entities.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the spirit of the Constitution's preamble, which includes promoting the general welfare. Specifically, the bill aims to address housing and child care needs, which can be considered elements of general welfare. The spending clause (Article I, Section 8) grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States, which arguably includes funding programs like the one established in this bill.
However, some may argue that such a program exceeds the enumerated powers of Congress and infringes upon areas traditionally regulated by states. The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.
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).