S.Amdt. 4351

SA 4351, submitted by Mr. Durbin, aims to add a section to H.R. 6644 focused on a competition for the development of single- and multi-family homes.

The purpose of this amendment is to have the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, working with the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, do the following:

• Conduct a grant competition for academic organizations, nonprofit organizations, and mission-driven developers to build or fix up homes for households making no more than 50 percent of the area median income.
• Focus on lowering development costs, increasing energy efficiency, improving resiliency, and accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Study the short- and long-term savings from the energy efficiency and resiliency measures used.

The amendment specifies that grants are awarded after the completion of contracts for a set number of homes. Priority will be given to projects in areas with severe affordable housing shortages, those focusing on quality and neighborhood compatibility, or those using universal design for people with disabilities.

Finally, the Secretary must give Congress a report within 2 years detailing the funded projects, the number and price of the houses, and the results of the savings study.