S.310 - Build Housing with Care Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
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 will promote the co-location of housing and child care facilities. The bill authorizes $100 million annually from 2026 through 2031 for this purpose.
The Act defines key terms such as 'child care desert,' 'co-location facility,' and 'eligible entity,' specifying which organizations can apply for grants. It also outlines the application process, prioritizing entities that serve child care deserts, low-income communities, or partner with community development financial institutions.
Furthermore, the bill mandates a GAO study on child care access for public housing residents, requiring a report to Congress with recommendations for improvement.
Expected Effects
The primary effect will be an increase in the availability of affordable housing and child care services, particularly in underserved areas. This is achieved through incentivizing the creation of co-location facilities.
The GAO study will provide data and recommendations that could lead to further policy changes and resource allocation. This will specifically target the needs of public housing residents.
Successful implementation hinges on effective collaboration between HUD, HHS, Treasury, and Agriculture, as well as the ability of eligible entities to meet the program's requirements.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to affordable housing and child care, especially for low-income families.
- Creation of new jobs in both the construction and child care sectors.
- Support for community development financial institutions and other organizations involved in affordable housing.
- Potential for improved educational outcomes for children in co-location facilities.
- Reduction in the burden of child care costs on working families, particularly those in public housing.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for bureaucratic delays in the grant application and awarding process.
- Risk of funds being mismanaged or used for purposes other than those intended.
- Possible displacement of existing residents during construction or renovation.
- Limited impact if the authorized funding is insufficient to meet the demand for affordable housing and child care.
- Challenges in ensuring the long-term sustainability of co-location facilities.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble). It promotes the well-being of families and children by addressing housing and child care needs. The enumerated power to spend for the general welfare is broad, and this bill falls within that scope.
There are no apparent infringements on individual liberties or rights. The bill does not discriminate against any group and aims to provide equal opportunities for access to housing and child care.
The Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states, but this bill operates through a grant program, which is a permissible exercise of federal power.
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).