114 S5027 IS: Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act
U.S. Senate
2024-09-11
text/xml
EN
Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
II
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 5027
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 11, 2024
Mr. Scott of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. Crapo, Mr. Rounds, Mr. Hagerty, Ms. Lummis, Mrs. Britt, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Daines) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
A BILL
To increase access to affordable housing, reduce regulatory barriers, increase oversight, and assist the most vulnerable.
1.

Short title; table of contents
(a)

Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act” or the “ROAD to Housing Act”.
(b)

Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I—Improving financial literacy
Sec. 101. Reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy programs.
TITLE II—Increasing access to housing
Sec. 201. Rental assistance demonstration program.
Sec. 202. Creating incentives for small dollar loan originators.
Sec. 203. Small dollar mortgage points and fees.
TITLE III—Regulatory flexibility
Sec. 301. Authorization of Moving to Work Program.
Sec. 302. Improving self-sufficiency of families in HUD-subsidized housing.
Sec. 303. Updating the definition of manufactured home.
TITLE IV—Serving the most vulnerable
Sec. 401. Incentivizing local solutions to homelessness.
TITLE V—Promoting opportunity
Sec. 501. Increasing housing in opportunity zones.
TITLE VI—Good governance
Sec. 601. Requiring annual testimony and oversight from housing regulators.
Sec. 602. FHA reporting requirements on safety and soundness.
Sec. 603. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Sec. 604. Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation oversight.
I

Improving financial literacy
101.

Reforms to housing counseling and financial literacy programs
(a)

In general
Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)(4)—
(A)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “subparagraph (D)” and inserting “subparagraph (E)”;
(B)
in subparagraph (C), by striking “adequate distribution” and all that follows through “foreclosure rates” and inserting “that the recipients are geographically diverse and include organizations that serve urban or rural areas”;
(C)
by redesignating subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) as subparagraphs (E), (F), and (G), respectively; and
(D)
by inserting after subparagraph (C) the following:
“(D)

Priority consideration
In distributing assistance made available under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority consideration to entities serving areas with the highest home foreclosure rates.”.
(2)
in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
“(6)

Considerations
(A)

Covered mortgage loan defined
In this paragraph, the term covered mortgage loan means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of from 1- to 4-families that is—
(i)
insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.); or
(ii)
guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z–13a, 1715z–13b).
(B)

Comparison
For each counselor employed by an organization receiving assistance under this section, the Secretary shall consider the competence of the counselor compared to the default rate of all counseled borrowers of a covered mortgage loan in comparable markets, and such other factors as the Secretary determines appropriate to further the purposes of this section.
(7)

Suspension of certification
If, based on the comparison required under paragraph (6)(B), the Secretary determines that a counselor lacks competence to provide counseling in the areas described in subsection (e)(2), the Secretary may—
(A)
require retesting of the individual; or
(B)
suspend the certification under this subsection for the individual.”; and
(3)
in subsection (i)—
(A)
by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
(B)
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following:
“(3)

Termination of assistance
(A)

In general
The Secretary may deny future covered assistance to an organization or entity receiving covered assistance if the Secretary determines that the organization or entity, or the individual through which the organization or entity provides such counseling, presents an unacceptable risk to families accessing counseling services or the programs under which covered mortgage loans (as defined in subsection (e)(6)(A)), which determination shall be—
(i)
based on the comparison required under subsection (e)(6)(B); and
(ii)
made in accordance with regulations issued by the Secretary.
(B)

Notice
(i)

In general
The Secretary shall give an organization or entity receiving covered assistance at least 60 days prior written notice of any termination under this paragraph, and the termination shall take effect at the end of the notice period, unless the Secretary withdraws the termination notice or extends the notice period.
(ii)

Informal conference
If requested in writing by the organization or entity within 30 days of the date of the notice described in clause (i), the organization or entity shall be entitled to an informal conference with the official authorized to issue termination notices on behalf of the Secretary (or a designee of that official) at which the organization or entity may present for consideration specific factors that the organization or entity believes were beyond the control of the organization or entity and that caused the excessive default rates.”.
(b)

Offering foreclosure mitigation counseling
(1)

Covered mortgage loan defined
In this subsection, the term covered mortgage loan means any loan which is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of from 1- to 4-families that is—
(A)
insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
(B)
guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1715z–13a, 1715z–13b);
(C)
made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs; or
(D)
made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture.
(2)

Opportunity for borrowers
A borrower with respect to a covered mortgage loan who is 60 days or more delinquent on payments for the covered mortgage loan shall be given an opportunity to participate in housing counseling.
(3)

Cost
The cost of counseling for delinquent borrowers described in paragraph (2) with respect to a covered mortgage loan described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be paid for by the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, as authorized under section 203(r)(4) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(r)(4)).
II

Increasing access to housing
201.

Rental assistance demonstration program
The language under the heading “Rental Assistance Demonstration” in the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2012 (Public Law 112–55), is amended—
(1)
by striking the second proviso; and
(2)
by striking the fourth proviso.
202.

Creating incentives for small dollar loan originators
(a)

Small dollar mortgage defined
In this section, the term small dollar mortgage means a mortgage loan having an original principal obligation of not more than $70,000 that is—
(1)
secured by real property designed for the occupancy of 1 to 4 families; and
(2)
(A)
insured by the Federal Housing Administration under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.);
(B)
made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
(C)
made, guaranteed, or insured by the Department of Agriculture; or
(D)
eligible to be purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.
(b)

Requirement To update regulations
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection shall issue regulations to update part 1026 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations (commonly referred to as “Regulation Z”) to provide flexibilities for loan originator compensation that encourage origination of small dollar mortgages.
203.

Small dollar mortgage points and fees
(a)

Definition
In this section, the term small dollar mortgage means a mortgage with an original principal obligation of less than $70,000.
(b)

Amendments required
Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, shall amend the limitations with respect to points and fees under section 1026.43 of title 12, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation, to encourage additional lending for small dollar mortgages.
III

Regulatory flexibility
301.

Authorization of Moving to Work Program
(a)

Program reforms
Section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) is amended—
(1)
in the section heading, by striking “demonstration” and inserting “program”;
(2)
by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
“(a)

Purposes
The purposes of the program under this section are as follows:
(1)

Economic independence
To develop measures to promote economic independence for families with children whose head of household is working, seeking work, or preparing for work, and for persons who are able to work, to obtain employment and become economically independent, by participating in job training, educational programs, or other supportive services and programs that assist in meeting such goal.
(2)

Flexibility and cost-effectiveness
To give public housing agencies and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the flexibility to design and implement various approaches for providing and administering housing assistance that reduce cost and achieve greater cost effectiveness in Federal expenditures.
(3)

Housing choice
To increase housing choices for low-income families.”;
(3)
in subsection (b)—
(A)
by striking “(b) Program authority.—The Secretary” and inserting the following:
“(b)

Program authority
(1)

In general
The Secretary”;
(B)
in the first sentence, by striking “conduct a demonstration program” and all that follows through “Indian housing program and” and inserting “carry out a program under this section under which public housing agencies administering the public housing program or”;
(C)
by inserting after the first sentence the following: “There shall be no limitation on the number of public housing agencies that may participate in the program under this section.”;
(D)
by striking “The Secretary shall” and all that follows through “demonstration.” and inserting the following:
“(2)

Identification of replicable models
The Secretary shall provide training and technical assistance under the program and conduct detailed evaluations of various agencies to identify replicable program models promoting the purposes of the program.”;
(E)
by striking “Under the demonstration” and inserting the following:
“(3)

Combination of assistance
Under the program under this section”; and
(F)
by striking “operating assistance provided under section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, modernization assistance provided under section 14” and inserting “amounts provided to the agency from the Operating Fund under section 9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, amounts provided to the agency from the Capital Fund under section 9(d)”;
(4)
in subsection (c)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “demonstration” and inserting “program under this section”;
(B)
in paragraph (1), by striking “9, and 14” and inserting “9(d), and 9(e)”;
(C)
in paragraph (3)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking “demonstration”;
(ii)
in subparagraph (B)—
(I)
by striking “self-sufficiency” and inserting “economic independence”; and
(II)
by striking “purpose of this demonstration” and inserting “purpose of the program under subsection (a)(1)”;
(iii)
in subparagraph (D), by striking “demonstration” and inserting “program under this section;”;
(iv)
in subparagraph (E), by striking “demonstration program” and inserting “program under this section”;
(v)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) as subparagraphs (B), (C), (D), (G), and (H), respectively;
(vi)
by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, the following:
“(A)
actions to be taken under the proposed program to achieve the purposes of the program under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a);”; and
(vii)
by inserting after subparagraph (D), as so redesignated, the following:
“(E)
hardship exceptions consistent with the purposes under subsection (a) under which tenants may be temporarily exempted from compliance with the program operated by the agency in the event of extenuating circumstances preventing such compliance and a process that provides tenants with recourse to a speedy determination regarding such an exception and makes available the contents and results of such a determination available to the public and the board of directors or other governing body on request of the tenant concerned and the director or other head official of the agency;
(F)
providing assisted families and participants in the program operated by the agency with an informal administrative hearing or grievance process, prior to any eviction or termination of assistance, which process shall make the content and determination of the hearing available to the public and the board of directors or other governing body on request of the tenant concerned and the director or other head official of the agency;”; and
(D)
in paragraph (4), by striking “demonstration” and inserting “proposed program”;
(5)
in subsection (d)—
(A)
by striking “(d) Selection.—In selecting among applications, the Secretary shall take into account the potential of each agency to plan and carry out a program under the demonstration” and inserting the following:
“(d)

Applications for participation
(1)

Submission; standards for participation
The Secretary shall provide for public housing agencies to submit applications for participation in the program under this section and shall establish, and make public, standards and requirements for participation that further the purposes of this program set forth in subsection (a), which shall—
(A)
provide that all public housing agencies designated as high performers pursuant to part 902 or subpart B of part 985, Code of Federal Regulations, at any time during the most recent 2 fiscal years are invited to submit applications for consideration;
(B)
provide that participation of a public housing agency, upon approval, shall be for a period not shorter than 10 years;
(C)
include a common set of performance metrics for use under the program that allow for comparison of the performance of different public housing agencies under the program; and
(D)
require that each public housing agency include in its application—
(i)
a list of innovative proposals to be carried out under the program that are designed to reduce the cost of, and increase the cost-efficiency of, housing provided in connection with the program and metrics to assess the progress of the agency toward such goals; and
(ii)
a list of innovative manners in which the public housing agency will use the authorities under the program to assist families, goals regarding such activities to accomplish on an annual basis, and metrics to assess the progress of the agency toward such goals.
(2)

Determination and notification
(A)

Review and determination
Upon receipt of an application for participation in the program under this section, the Secretary shall provide for review such application by a selection panel comprised of Federal officials and employees and established by the Secretary for such purpose. Based on such review, such selection panel shall make a determination of whether to approve such agency for participation in the program under this section, based on the criteria under paragraph (4).
(B)

Notification
Upon making a determination pursuant to subparagraph (A), the selection panel shall notify the public housing agency, the Secretary, and the governments for any counties and municipalities in which the jurisdiction of the public housing agency is located of such determination. In the case of disapproval of an application, such notice shall include a statement specifying the reasons for such disapproval.
(3)

Transition
(A)

Numerical limitation
(i)

In general
The Secretary shall review and process such applications as to enable the transition of not fewer than 25 public housing agencies per year to the program under this section (subject to eligible applications), until such time as there are not 25 public housing agencies whose applications merit approval.
(ii)

Reserved spots for small and rural PHAs
Of the applications of public housing agencies approved in each year pursuant to clause (i), not less than 10 shall be applications of public housing agencies that administer, in the aggregate, fewer than 6,000 vouchers for rental assistance under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) and public housing dwelling units, except that if for any year the Secretary receives fewer than 10 applications by public housing agencies described in this clause that merit approval, the requirement under this clause shall apply for such year only to the extent of the number of such approvable applications received.
(iii)

Treatment of new MTW agencies
Any agency that is newly transitioned under this subparagraph to participation in the program as in effect pursuant to the amendments made by the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act shall count toward fulfillment of the numerical limitation in clause (i), notwithstanding the authority under section 239 of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2016 (division L of Public Law 114–113) or any other provision of law other than this section authorizing participation of new agencies.
(B)

Revisions
The Secretary shall, from time to time and in consultation with public housing agencies, amend governing documents for participation by agencies in the program under this section, as the Secretary determines necessary.
(C)

Renewal of participation
(i)

In general
The Secretary shall provide that upon expiration of a contract for participation by a public housing agency in the program under this section, to continue participating in the program, the public housing agency shall be required to request to renew the participation of the agency with the Secretary. The standards and requirements applicable to applications for initial participation in the program shall also apply to applications for renewed participation in the program. Renewed participation of a public housing agency under this clause shall proceed under the same terms applicable for the initial participation of the public housing agency in the program.
(ii)

Treatment of numerical limitation
An agency approved for continued participation in the program pursuant to recertification under this subparagraph shall not count toward fulfillment of the numerical limitation in subparagraph (A)(i).
(4)

Criteria
The Secretary shall establish criteria for approval of applications of public housing agencies for participation in the program under this section, which shall provide for approval of applications that are reasonably designed to carry out the purposes of the program under subsection (a). Such criteria shall take into consideration the capacity and the potential of each agency to plan and carry out a program”;
(B)
by striking “each” and inserting “the”;
(C)
by striking “a program under the demonstration” and inserting “the proposed program in the application”; and
(D)
by striking “an agency” and inserting “the agency”;
(6)
in subsection (e)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking “this demonstration” and inserting “the program under this section”; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by striking “demonstration” and inserting “program under this section”;
(7)
in subsection (f), by striking “section 9, or pursuant to section 14 by a public housing agency participating in the demonstration under this part” and inserting “of the United States Housing Act of 1937, or provided from the Operating Fund under section 9(e) or from the Capital Fund under section 9(d) of such Act, by a public housing agency participating in the program under this section”;
(8)
in subsection (g)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by inserting “, including performance in achieving each of the purposes of the program specified in subsection (a)”;
(B)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in the first sentence—
(I)
by inserting “, and including such content, as shall be” before “specified by the Secretary”; and
(II)
by inserting “, but not less often than annually” before the period at the end; and
(ii)
in the second sentence—
(I)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “the demonstration” and inserting “the program”; and
(II)
by striking subparagraph (C) and inserting the following:
“(C)
describe and analyze the effects of the program of the agency and the assisted activities under such program in addressing and achieving the objectives of the program under this section and each of the purposes specified in subsection (a), including the effects of the program on—
(i)
the number of new families the agency has been able to assist from the waiting lists for housing assistance that is administered by the agency, including vouchers for rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) and dwelling units in public housing, as a result of the flexibility of funds and achievement of economic independence;
(ii)
the cost and annual change, per family participating in the program, of providing housing assistance referred to in clause (i) that is administered by the agency;
(iii)
any cost savings and additional housing resulting from the program; and
(iv)
the household incomes, and changes in such incomes, of members of families participating in the program who are not exempt from work requirements; and
(v)
such other factors as the Secretary considers appropriate.”;
(C)
by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (5) and (6); and
(D)
by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraphs:
“(3)

Annual plan
(A)

Requirement
Each agency shall submit annually to the Secretary, together with the report under paragraph (2), a plan for the program of the agency for the upcoming year and shall make such plan publicly available.
(B)

Form and metrics
Each annual plan shall be set forth in a standard form, prescribed by the Secretary and shall utilize common performance metrics that allow for comparison of the plans of all public housing agencies participating in the program.
(C)

Content
Each annual plan shall include such content as the Secretary shall specify, which shall include—
(i)
a description and explanation of all new rules and policy changes adopted by the agency in accordance with this section and the program under this section and, with respect to such new rules and policy changes—
(I)
a description of the effect such rules and changes will have on the operation of the agency as compared to the preceding year and as compared to the operations of the agency other than under the program under this section;
(II)
a description of the extent to which such rules and changes helped to achieve the annual goals identified in the public housing agency’s application pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(E) and, in the case of any such goals not achieved, a description of the extent to which such goals were not achieved and the reasons for such failure; and
(III)
whether the adoption of such new rules and policy changes required an adjustment in the annual goals identified in the public housing agency’s application pursuant to subsection (d)(1);
(ii)
a plan for all capital assets and anticipated construction and rehabilitation activities of the public housing agency in the upcoming year and a description of whether and how such activities are authorized and assisted under the program under this section; and
(iii)
assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that such plan will conform with all applicable provisions of title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.), the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.).
(4)

Public and resident participation
(A)

Notification of residents
Each public housing agency shall annually hold a meeting to notify all assisted families participating in the program of the public housing agency of the contents of the plan under paragraph (3) for such year and impacts on such assisted families. Any public housing agency that assists, in the aggregate, more than 50,000 families or assists families in multiple counties shall hold as many meetings as necessary to provide each assisted family a good-faith opportunity to attend such a meeting.
(B)

Public comment
Each annual report under paragraph (2) and annual plan under paragraph (3) shall—
(i)
be made available for inspection and public comment 30 days before the meeting required by subparagraph (A) regarding such plan or report; and
(ii)
be approved in a public meeting of the board of directors or other governing body of the public housing agency before submission to the Secretary.
(C)

Public availability
Each annual report under paragraph (2) and annual plan under paragraph (3) shall, upon submission to the Secretary, be made publicly available and shall include all comments provided pursuant to subparagraph (B).”;
(9)
in subsection (h)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), by striking “demonstration” and inserting “program under this section”; and
(B)
by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
“(2)

Review
The Secretary shall annually review the activities of each public housing agency participating in the program under this section and, based on such review and the information submitted by the agency pursuant to subsection (g), determine—
(A)
the impact and effectiveness of the public housing agency’s program and activities in achieving each of the purposes of the program specified in subsection (a), including an assessment of such impact and effectiveness using the common set of budget metrics established pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(D);
(B)
the progress of the public housing agency toward meeting the goals identified in the public housing agency’s application pursuant to subsection (d)(1)(E), using the metrics identified in the public housing agency’s application pursuant to such subsection; and
(C)
the extent of compliance by the public housing agency with the requirements of the program under this section and, in determining such extent of compliance, shall take into consideration the unique characteristics of the public housing agency.
(3)

Verification of accuracy
In assessing information submitted by public housing agencies pursuant to subsection (g) and in reviewing such information and making determinations pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the Secretary shall carry out control activities and procedures designed to verify the accuracy of such information, which shall include auditing a representative sample of such information using standard statistical methods.
(4)

Continued participation
The Secretary shall not terminate the participation of any public housing agency in the program under this section unless the Secretary finds that the agency—
(A)
is in material default of the conditions and obligations under the governing document for the participation in the program;
(B)
as demonstrated in its reports under subsection (g)(2) and its annual budget plans under subsection (g)(3), has persistently failed to meet the goals identified in its application, and the reasons or circumstances specified in the public housing agency’s reports and plans for such failure are not sufficient to justify the continued failure;
(C)
has misused or misappropriated funds;
(D)
has failed to make a good faith effort to carry out the purposes of the program specified in subsection (a); or
(E)
has failed to cure a material deficiency in performance after notice and an opportunity to correct the deficiency.
(5)

Corrective action program
The Secretary shall carry out a program—
(A)
to identify public housing agencies participating in the program under this section that are at risk of termination of such participation pursuant to paragraph (6);
(B)
to consult with such public housing agencies regarding actions that may be taken to avoid such termination;
(C)
to establish goals and timelines for such corrective actions; and
(D)
to provide appropriate technical assistance designed to facilitate such actions and avoid such termination.
(6)

Termination of participation
Any public housing agency whose participation in the program under this section is terminated shall be subject to the provisions of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.) and all other provisions of law applicable to public housing agencies not participating in the program, except that the Secretary shall provide a transition period, that begins upon such termination and is not shorter than 18 months, for such public housing agencies to come into compliance with such laws.
(7)

Reports to Congress
Not later than the expiration of the 5-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act, and not later than the expiration of each successive 5-year period thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress regarding the program under this section and the results of the reviews conducted under paragraph (2), which shall—
(A)
evaluate the programs carried out by public housing agencies participating in the program, including with respect to each of the purposes specified in subsection (a); and
(B)
include findings and recommendations for appropriate legislative changes to the program.
(8)

GAO reviews and reports
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act, and not less frequently than every 8 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall—
(A)
conduct and complete a review of the program under this section, which shall include examination and analysis of the implementation of the program and identification of any shortcomings and any means for improving the program; and
(B)
submit to the Congress a report regarding the review, which shall set forth a detailed description of such implementation, any shortcomings of the program identified, and recommendations for improving the program.”;
(10)
in subsection (i)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking “section 14 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for fiscal years 1996, 1997, and 1998” and inserting “the Capital Fund under section 9(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 in each fiscal year”; and
(B)
in paragraph (1)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking “the demonstration” and inserting “the program”; and
(ii)
in subparagraph (B), by striking “up to 10”; and
(11)
by striking subsection (j).
(b)

Treatment of participating agencies
(1)

Continuation of participation
This section and the amendments made by this section shall not affect the status of any public housing agency that, as of the date of the enactment of this Act, is participating in the Moving to Work Program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as such a participating agency.
(2)

Election
Any public housing agency referred to in paragraph (1) may elect—
(A)
to continue participation in the Program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) under the terms of the agreement entered into between the agency and the Secretary providing for such participation until the date of the expiration of such agreement; or
(B)
at any time before date of the expiration of such agreement, to transition to participation under the program under such section 204, as amended by this Act.
(3)

Conversion to reformed program
(A)

In general
Except as provided in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, any public housing agency that elects pursuant to paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection to continue participation in the Program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note) shall, upon the expiration of the agreement referred to in such paragraph, be considered to have been approved for participation in the Program under such section 204, as amended by this Act, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall provide for the transition of the agency to participation under the Program under such section as so amended.
(B)

Inapplicability
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any public housing agency that is determined by the Secretary to be in material default, upon the expiration of the agreement referred to in paragraph (2)(A), of the conditions and obligations under such agreement.
(4)

Inapplicability of numerical limitation
Any public housing agency transitioned pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) or (3)(A) of this subsection to participation under the program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as amended by this section, shall not count toward fulfillment of the numerical limitation under section 204(d)(3)(A) of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as added by the amendment made by this section.
302.

Improving self-sufficiency of families in HUD-subsidized housing
(a)

In general
(1)

Study
Subject to subsection (b), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall conduct a study on the implementation of work requirements by public housing agencies described in paragraph (2) participating in the program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as amended by section 301 of this Act.
(2)

Public housing agencies described
The public housing agencies described in this paragraph are public housing agencies that, as part of an application to participate in the program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), as amended by section 301 of this Act, submit a proposal identifying work requirements as an innovative proposal described in section 204(d)(1)(D)(i) of such Act, as amended by section 301 of this Act.
(b)

Determination
The requirement under subsection (a) shall apply if the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development determines that—
(1)
there are a sufficient number of public housing agencies described in subsection (a)(2) such that the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development can rigorously evaluate the impact of the implementation of work requirements described in that subsection; and
(2)
the study would not negatively impact low-income families receiving assistance through a public housing agency described in subsection (a)(2).
303.

Updating the definition of manufactured home
(a)

In general
Section 603(6) of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402(6)) is amended by striking “on a permanent chassis” and inserting “with or without a permanent chassis”.
(b)

Manufactured home certifications
Section 604 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5403) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(i)

Manufactured home certifications
(1)

In general
(A)

Initial Certification
Subject to subparagraph (B), not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act, a State shall submit to the Secretary an initial certification that the laws and regulations of the State—
(i)
treat a manufactured home, including a manufactured home without a permanent chassis, in parity with a manufactured home (as defined and regulated by the State); and
(ii)
subject a manufactured home without a permanent chassis to the same laws and regulations of the State as a manufactured home built on a permanent chassis with respect to financing, title, insurance, manufacture, sale, taxes, transportation, and installation.
(B)

Extended deadline
With respect to a State with a legislature that meets biennially, the deadline for the submission of the initial certification required under subparagraph (A) shall be 2 years after the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act.
(2)

Form of certification
The initial certification required under paragraph (1)(A) shall contain, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, an attestation by an official that the State has taken the steps necessary to ensure the veracity of the certification required under paragraph (1)(A), including, as necessary, by—
(A)
amending the definition of manufactured home in the laws and regulation of the State; and
(B)
directing State agencies to amend the definition of manufactured home in regulations.
(3)

Annual recertification
Not later than a date to be determined by the Secretary each year, the State shall submit to the Secretary an additional certification that—
(A)
confirms the accuracy of initial certification submitted under paragraph (1)(A); and
(B)
certifies that any new laws or regulations enacted or adopted by the State since the date of the previous certification does not change the veracity of the initial certification submitted under paragraph (1)(A).
(4)

List
The Secretary shall publish and maintain in the Federal Register and on the website of the Department of Housing and Urban Development a list of States that are up-to-date with the submission of initial and subsequent certifications required under this subsection.
(5)

Prohibition
(A)

Definition
In this paragraph the term covered manufactured home means a home that is—
(i)
not considered a manufactured home under the laws and regulations of a State because the home is constructed without a permanent chassis;
(ii)
considered a manufactured home under the definition of the term in section 603; and
(iii)
constructed after the date of enactment of the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act.
(B)

Building, installation, and sale
(i)

In general
If a State does not submit a certification under paragraph (1)(A) or (3) by the date on which those certifications are required to be submitted—
(I)
with respect to a State in which the State administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State; and
(II)
with respect to a State in which the Secretary administers the installation of manufactured homes, the State and the Secretary shall prohibit the manufacture, installation, or sale of a covered manufactured home within the State.”.
(c)

Other Federal laws regulating manufactured homes
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall coordinate with the heads of other Federal agencies to ensure that Federal agencies treat a manufactured home (as defined in Federal laws and regulations other than section 603 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402)) in the same manner as a manufactured home (as defined in section National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5402), as amended by this Act).
(d)

Assistance to States
Section 609 of the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5408) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1), by striking “and” at the end;
(2)
in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
“(3)
model guidance to support the submission of the certification required under section 604(i).”.
IV

Serving the most vulnerable
401.

Incentivizing local solutions to homelessness
(a)

Continuum of care program
Section 428 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11386b) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(f)

Incentives for reducing homelessness
(1)

In general
From the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 10 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle for incentives described in paragraph (2).
(2)

Incentives
The Secretary may provide bonuses or other incentives to a geographic area under this subtitle if, during a fiscal year, the Secretary determines that an entity receiving funds under this subtitle has demonstrably and measurably improved housing outcomes for homeless individuals in the geographic area.”.
(b)

Emergency solutions grants program
Section 413 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11372a) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(c)

Incentives for reducing homelessness
(1)

In general
From the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 10 percent of the amounts made available to carry out this subtitle for incentives described in paragraph (2).
(2)

Incentives
The Secretary may provide bonuses or other incentives to a geographic area under this subtitle if, during a fiscal year, the Secretary determines that an entity receiving funds under this subtitle has demonstrably and measurably improved housing outcomes for homeless individuals in the geographic area.”.
V

Promoting opportunity
501.

Increasing housing in opportunity zones
(a)

Covered grant defined
In this section, the term covered grant means—
(1)
a Choice Neighborhoods Program grant;
(2)
a grant under section 11 of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 (42 U.S.C. 12805 note); and
(3)
any other competitive grant relating to the construction, modification, rehabilitation, or preservation of housing, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
(b)

Priority
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall prioritize the award of covered grants to recipients located in, or that primarily serve, a community that has been designated as a qualified opportunity zone under section 1400Z–1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
VI

Good governance
601.

Requiring annual testimony and oversight from housing regulators
(a)

HUD programs
The Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3531 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“15.

Annual testimony
The Secretary shall, on an annual basis, testify before the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the status of all programs carried out by the Department, whether authorized or unauthorized.”.
(b)

Government guaranteed or insured mortgages
On an annual basis, the following individuals shall testify before the appropriate committees of Congress with respect to mortgage loans made, guaranteed, or insured by the Federal Government:
(1)
The President of the Government National Mortgage Association.
(2)
The Federal Housing Commissioner.
(3)
The Administrator of the Rural Housing Service.
(4)
The Executive Director of the Loan Guaranty Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
(c)

Mortgagee Review Board
Section 202(c)(8) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(c)(8)) is amended—
(1)
by striking “, in consultation with the Federal Housing Administration Advisory Board,”; and
(2)
by inserting “and to Congress” after “the Secretary”.
602.

FHA reporting requirements on safety and soundness
(a)

Monthly reporting on Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund capital ratio
Section 202(a) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(8)

Other required reporting
The Secretary shall—
(A)
submit to Congress monthly reports on the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2); and
(B)
notify Congress as soon as practicable after the Fund falls below the capital ratio required under section 205(f)(2).”.
(b)

Annual independent actuarial study
Section 202(a)(4) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1708(a)(4)) is amended—
(1)
by striking “The Secretary” and inserting the following:
“(A)

Definition
In this paragraph, the term first-time homebuyer means a borrower for whom no consumer report (as defined in section 603 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a)) indicates that the borrower has or had a loan with a consumer purpose that is secured by a 1- to 4-unit residential real property.
(B)

Study and report
The Secretary”; and
(2)
in subparagraph (B), as so designated, by striking “also” and inserting “detail how many loans were originated in each census tract to first-time homebuyers, as well as”.
(c)

Annual report
Section 203(w)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1709(w))(2) is amended by inserting “and first-time homebuyers (as defined in section 202(a)(4)(A))” after “minority borrowers”.
(d)

GAO study on sustainable homeownership
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on—
(1)
the value for the Federal Housing Administration of defining what is sustainable homeownership in way that considers borrower default, refinancing to a non-insured mortgage product, paying off a mortgage loan and transitioning back to renting, and other factors that demonstrate whether insurance provided under title II of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.) has successfully served a borrower, including for first-time homebuyers (as defined in section 202(a)(4)(A) of the National Housing Act, as added by subsection (b)(1)); and
(2)
the feasibility of the Federal Housing Administration developing a scorecard using the metrics described in paragraph (1) to measure borrower performance and reporting the scorecard data to Congress.
603.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness
Section 203(a) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11313(a)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (1)—
(A)
by striking “Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009” and inserting “Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream to Housing Act”; and
(B)
by striking “update such plan annually” and inserting the following:
“submit to the President and Congress a report every year thereafter that includes—
(A)
the status of completion of the plan;
(B)
any modifications that were made to the plan and the reasons for those modifications; and
(C)
an estimate of when homelessness will be ended;”;
(2)
by redesignating paragraphs (10) through (13) as paragraphs (11) through (14), respectively;
(3)
by redesignating the second paragraph (9) (relating to collecting and disseminating information) as paragraph (10);
(4)
in paragraph (13), as so redesignated, by striking “and” at the end;
(5)
in paragraph (14), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting “; and”; and
(6)
by adding at the end the following:
“(15)
testify annually before Congress.”.
604.

Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation oversight
(a)

Inspector General
The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“609.

Oversight by the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
The Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban Development shall have all of the authorities and responsibilities provided under chapter 4 of title 5, United States Code, with respect to the corporation, as if the corporation were part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.”.
(b)

Whistleblower protections
Section 9101(3) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(Q)
the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation.”.