Title 12 — Banks and BankingRelease 119-73
§1701v Congressional findings and declaration for improved architectural design in Government housing programs
Title 12 › Chapter CHAPTER 13— - NATIONAL HOUSING › § 1701v
Summary
Federal housing programs must make good architectural design a high priority for homes that help low- and moderate-income families. Congress praised HUD for things like design competitions but says more must be done so federal help can better improve neighborhoods. Even with tight budgets, design can be improved to make homes look nicer and work better for people. Housing should match the quality and character of its neighborhood while staying within sensible spending limits.
Full Legal Text
Title 12, §1701v
Banks and Banking — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Congress finds that Federal aids to housing have not contributed fully to improvement in architectural standards. This objective has been contemplated in Federal housing legislation since the establishment of mortgage insurance through the Federal Housing Administration. The Congress commends the Department of Housing and Urban Development for its recent efforts to improve architectural standards through competitive design awards and in other ways but at the same time recognizes that this important objective requires high priority if Federal aid is to make its full communitywide contribution toward improving our urban environment. The Congress further finds that even within the necessary budget limitations on housing for low and moderate income families architectural design could be improved not only to make the housing more attractive, but to make it better suited to the needs of occupants. The Congress declares that in the administration of housing programs which assist in the provision of housing for low and moderate income families, emphasis should be given to encouraging good design as an essential component of such housing and to developing housing which will be of such quality as to reflect its important relationship to the architectural standards of the neighborhood and community in which it is situated, consistent with prudent budgeting.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Codification Section was enacted as part of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, and not as part of the National Housing Act which comprises this chapter.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
12 U.S.C. § 1701v
Title 12 — Banks and Banking
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73