Bill · S. 5284· Senate(119-S-5284)
Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
- Introduced
- 8/6/2026
- Last activity
- 8/6/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Bernie Sanders
- Cosponsors
- - 0 - 6
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act aims to modernize the nation's public housing through energy efficiency and workforce development. The bill establishes grant programs to rehabilitate distressed housing, upgrade infrastructure, and transition to zero-carbon homes. It seeks to improve living standards by providing cutting-edge materials and all-electric appliances made in the United States. Additionally, the Act promotes economic empowerment by providing training, jobs, and support for resident-owned businesses. The goal is to modernize the entire public housing stock into highly energy-efficient homes that meet their own energy needs. Finally, it emphasizes community involvement through the establishment of resident councils.
Yes· 3 of 30
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+9
The bill directly targets improving living standards, energy costs, and job opportunities for low-income residents.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+9
The bill mandates a transition to zero-carbon homes and renewable energy generation within 10 years.
Does this make housing cost less?+8
The bill aims to rehabilitate, modernize, and preserve public housing to ensure it remains a sustainable safety net.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Living Standards and Safety: The bill aims to rehabilitate public housing that is severely distressed to prevent residents from being exposed to unhealthy and unsafe environments (Section 2). It also provides for upgrades to water quality, such as replacing pipes to address lead, arsenic, and other contaminants (Section 6).
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Economic Empowerment and Job Training: Grant programs are established to facilitate workforce development, providing career skills, apprenticeships, and technical assistance (Section 6). This includes specific opportunities for local low- and very low-income individuals who were formerly incarcerated (Section 6).
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Energy Savings and Resilience: The Act intends to transition homes into highly energy-efficient, zero-carbon dwellings (Section 2). It includes provisions for community energy generation, such as renewable energy rooftops and storage systems to provide energy backup during emergencies or disasters (Section 6).
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Support for Resident Businesses: The bill provides technical assistance and resources to help subsidized housing resident-owned businesses access government procurement and contracting opportunities (Section 6).
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Community Engagement and Voice: The Act promotes tenant participation and the formation of resident councils to improve quality of life and allow residents to advise on project operations (Section 9).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Displacement and Instability: The process of rehabilitation, modernization, or new construction may cause residents to be temporarily displaced from their homes (Section 6, Section 6(e)).
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Requirement for Transition: To receive grants, eligible entities must commit to transitioning all managed public housing into zero-carbon homes within 10 years (Section 6(b)(1)(A)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+9Good For Native Americans+7Good For People With Disabilities+7Good For Union Workers+7Good For Urban Residents+6Good For Business Owners+5Good For Retirees+5Good For Seniors+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Children+4Good For Students+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Affordable Housing+8Improves Disability Rights+6Improves Poverty Reduction+6Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Childcare Affordability+5Reduces Homelessness+3
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Reduces Carbon Emissions+9Increases Renewable Energy Investment+8Improves Environmental Protections+7Improves Disaster Relief And F E M A+5Improves Public Transit+3
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Small Business Support+7Increases Job Creation+7Improves Union Protections+5Improves Economic Growth+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves Internet Access+7
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power+3
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+4
- 8/6/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- 6 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Richard BlumenthalDemocrat · Connecticut
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Edward MarkeyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jeff MerkleyDemocrat · Oregon
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Peter WelchDemocrat · Vermont