PRIA Logo™
Take the PRIA Score
Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73

§5153 Priority to certain applications for public facility and public housing assistance

Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 68— - DISASTER RELIEF › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER III— - MAJOR DISASTER AND EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION › § 5153

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Federal agencies must give fast, first-in-line treatment to applications from public agencies in areas hit by major disasters during any time the President sets. That priority covers seven kinds of federal programs listed in the law, such as low-income housing, public works planning, community development block grants, and water pollution control, among others named by Congress. When spending discretionary money or funds not already split among states, the heads of HUD and the Department of Commerce must also give priority to projects in major disaster areas.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §5153

The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In the processing of applications for assistance, priority and immediate consideration shall be given by the head of the appropriate Federal agency, during such period as the President shall prescribe, to applications from public bodies situated in areas affected by major disasters under the following Acts:
(1)The United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.] for the provision of low-income housing.
(2)Sections 3502 to 3505 of title 40 for assistance in public works planning.
(3)The Community Development Block Grant Program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.].
(4)Section 1926 of title 7.
(5)The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 [42 U.S.C. 3121 et seq.].
(6)Subtitle IV of title 40.
(7)The Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.].
(b)In the obligation of discretionary funds or funds which are not allocated among the States or political subdivisions of a State, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Commerce shall give priority to applications for projects for major disaster areas.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by Pub. L. 93–383, title II, § 201(a), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 653, which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§ 1437 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1437 of this title and Tables. The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is Pub. L. 93–383, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 633. Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 is classified principally to chapter 69 (§ 5301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables. The Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, referred to in subsec. (a)(5), is Pub. L. 89–136, Aug. 26, 1965, 79 Stat. 552, which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 3121 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 3121 of this title and Tables. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(7), is act June 30, 1948, ch. 758, as amended generally by Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 816, which is classified generally to chapter 26 (§ 1251 et seq.) of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 1251 of Title 33 and Tables. Codification “Sections 3502 to 3505 of title 40” substituted for “section 702 of the Housing Act of 1954” in subsec. (a)(2) and “Subtitle IV of title 40” substituted for “The Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965” in subsec. (a)(6) on authority of Pub. L. 107–217, § 5(c), Aug. 21, 2002, 116 Stat. 1303, the first section of which enacted Title 40, Public Buildings, Property, and Works.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5153, Pub. L. 93–288, title III, § 313, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 150, related to same subject matter as present section but with references to different acts and provisions, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 100–707, § 105(g). A prior section 310 of Pub. L. 93–288 was renumbered section 307 by Pub. L. 100–707 and was classified to section 5150 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–295.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 5153

Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73