§19506 Accelerating Home Building Act

Summary

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development can give grants to local governments, municipal membership groups, and Indian tribes so they can pick preapproved building plans for small mixed-income housing in their area. The money can pay for choosing and preparing those plans, but not for building, changing, or fixing buildings. When deciding who gets grants, HUD will look at how much affordable housing is needed, whether there are high-opportunity areas, and whether the applicant works with state agencies and transportation planners. At least 10 percent of each year’s money must go to places that are rural. Grant winners must report on how the grant helped increase affordable housing, which preapproved plans they chose, how many permits were issued using those plans, and how many housing units were built. HUD will encourage posting plans online, share best practices, can require repayment if the plans are not adopted within 5 years (unless HUD extends that time), and may use up to 5 percent of yearly funds for technical help. Definitions: Affordable housing — housing whose monthly cost is no more than 30 percent of income for households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income. Covered structure — a low- or mid-rise building with not more than 25 dwelling units, including accessory units, infill, duplexes through fourplexes, townhouses, cottage courts, courtyard buildings, multiplexes, and other 2+ unit types HUD approves. Eligible entity — a unit of local government, a municipal membership organization, or an Indian tribe. High opportunity area — the meaning given in 12 CFR 1282.1 or its successor. Infill development — building or replacing homes on small lots in already-developed areas using existing utilities. Mixed-income housing — developments with units at different affordability levels. Prereviewed designs — sets of plans already approved by local rules to speed permitting. Rural area — any place that is not a city or town with a population of less than 50,000. Secretary — the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.