H.R. 5533

[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5533 Introduced in House (IH)]

<DOC>

118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5533

To combat toxic indoor mold, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2023

Mr. Courtney (for himself and Mrs. Beatty) introduced the following 
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in 
addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, and Ways and Means, 
for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case 
for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of 
the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To combat toxic indoor mold, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Healthy at Home 
Act of 2023''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
Sec. 3. Interagency research on health impacts of indoor residential 
mold.
Sec. 4. Health, safety, and habitability standards and model standards.
Sec. 5. Mapping.
Sec. 6. Housing stock quality requirements.
Sec. 7. Construction requirements for public housing and certain other 
-assisted construction.
Sec. 8. Preservation grants for properties receiving section 8 project-
based rental assistance.
Sec. 9. Public information and education campaign.
Sec. 10. Empowering tenants.
Sec. 11. Healthy Homes incentive for requiring indoor residential mold 
and other hazard disclosure.
Sec. 12. Uniform physical inspection sampling.
Sec. 13. Denial of depreciation deduction for properties with failed 
NSPIRE inspections.
Sec. 14. Supporting landlords to receive timely voucher payments.
Sec. 15. Project-based contract administrator reporting requirements.
Sec. 16. Coordination Between USDA and HUD.
Sec. 17. GAO study on health and safety concerns in federally-assisted 
housing.
Sec. 18. Sense of Congress.
Sec. 19. Administrative provisions.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Indoor residential mold.--The term ``indoor residential 
mold'' means any form of multicellular fungi in indoor 
environments, including cladosporium, penicillium, alternaria, 
aspergillus, fusarium, trichoderma, memnoniella, mucor, 
stachybotrys chartarum, streptomyces, and epicoccumoften found 
in water-damaged indoor environments and building materials.
(2) Residential mold inspection.--The term ``residential 
mold inspection'' means an inspection, by a certified or 
licensed mold inspector or other indoor environmental 
professional, including through the Real Estate Assessment 
Center, of real property that is designed to discover--
(A) indoor mold growth in residential properties;
(B) conditions that facilitate indoor residential 
mold growth; or
(C) indicia of conditions that are likely to 
facilitate indoor residential mold growth.
(3) Toxigenic mold.--The term ``toxigenic mold'' means any 
indoor mold growth that may be capable of producing a toxin or 
toxic compound, including mycotoxins and mVOCs, that can cause 
pulmonary, respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, or 
dermatological illnesses, or other major adverse health 
impacts, as jointly determined by the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, and the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention.

SEC. 3. INTERAGENCY RESEARCH ON HEALTH IMPACTS OF INDOOR RESIDENTIAL 
MOLD.

(a) Research.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institute 
of Environmental Health Sciences at the National Institutes of 
Health, in conjunction with the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services, the President of the National 
Academy of Sciences, and the Chair of the board of directors of 
the National Institute of Building Sciences shall jointly 
conduct a comprehensive study of the health effects of indoor 
residential mold growth, using the most up-to-date scientific 
peer-reviewed medical literature.
(2) Contents.--The study conducted under paragraph (1) 
shall ascertain, among other things--
(A) detailed information about harmful or toxigenic 
mold, as well as any toxin or toxic compound such mold 
can produce;
(B) the most accurate research-based methods of 
detecting harmful or toxigenic mold;
(C) potential dangers of prolonged or chronic 
exposure to indoor residential mold growth;
(D) the hazards involved with inadequate 
residential mold inspections and improper indoor 
residential mold remediation;
(E) the estimated current public health burden of 
new or exacerbated physical illness resulting from 
exposure to indoor residential mold, including its 
disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities, 
including children and seniors;
(F) improved understanding of the different health 
symptomology that can result from exposure to mold in 
indoor residential environments;
(G) ongoing surveillance of the prevalence of 
idiopathic pulmonary hemorrhage (AIPH) in infants; and
(H) longitudinal studies on the effects of indoor 
old exposure in early childhood on the development of 
asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
(3) Availability.--Not later than the expiration of the 3-
year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1) shall be 
submitted to Congress and the President and made available to 
the general public.

SEC. 4. HEALTH, SAFETY, AND HABITABILITY STANDARDS AND MODEL STANDARDS.

(a) Model Standards for Preventing, Detecting, and Remediating 
Indoor Residential Mold Growth.--Based on the results of the 
interagency health study conducted under section 3, the Administrator 
of the Environmental Protection Agency, in conjunction with the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Director of the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, the Assistant Secretary of Labor 
for Occupational Safety and Health at the Occupational Safety and 
Health Administration, the Secretary of Energy, the Executive Director 
of the National Institute of Building Sciences, and the President of 
the National Academy of Sciences shall, in accordance with section 
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(15 U.S.C. 272 note; Public Law 104-113), jointly issue model health, 
safety, and habitability standards for preventing, detecting, and 
remediating indoor residential mold growth, including--
(1) model indoor residential mold inspection standards;
(2) model indoor residential mold remediation standards;
(3) standards for testing the toxicity of indoor 
residential mold and any toxin or toxic compound produced by 
indoor residential mold;
(4) health and safety standards for the protection of 
indoor residential mold inspectors and remediators;
(5) standards for indoor residential mold testing labs;
(6) model ventilation standards for the design, 
installation, and maintenance of air ventilation or air-
conditioning systems to prevent indoor residential mold growth 
or the creation of conditions that foster indoor mold growth in 
residential properties; and
(7) model building code standards to control moisture and 
prevent mold growth in indoor residential environments.
(b) Consultation.--To the maximum extent possible, model standards 
issued under this section shall be developed in consideration of the 
needs and vulnerabilities of low-income populations and with the 
assistance of--
(1) organizations that develop mold and water damage 
standards;
(2) organizations involved in establishing national 
building construction standards;
(3) representatives of State or local authorities 
responsible for building inspections and issuance of 
certificates of occupancy;
(4) organizations involved in improving indoor air quality;
(5) public health advocates; and
(6) health and medical professionals, including 
practitioners that care for children and other vulnerable 
populations.
(c) Resiliency.--Model standards issued under this section shall 
take into account geographic diversity, propensity for extreme weather 
or flooding, and other resiliency metrics.
(d) Deadlines.--
(1) Public review and comment.--The officers identified in 
subsection (a) shall make draft standards issued under this 
section available for public review and comment at least 90 
days prior to publication of the final standards or model 
standards pursuant to paragraph (2).
(2) Publication.--Not later than 3 years after the results 
of the study conducted under section 3 are submitted to 
Congress in accordance with such section, the officers 
identified in subsection (a) shall issue, and make available to 
the public, final standards and model standards under this 
section.
(e) Review and Updates.--The officers identified in subsection (a) 
shall--
(1) review the model standards issued under this section at 
least once every 3 years based on latest scientific advances 
and published studies relating to indoor residential mold 
growth; and
(2) update such standards and model standards as necessary 
to adequately and effectively inform the public and protect 
human health, preserve and improve the quality of federally-
assisted housing, and reduce the displacement of tenants.
(f) Physical Condition Inspections.--Not later than 3 years after 
the publication of standards and model standards under subsection (a), 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise the 
requirements for conducting uniform physical condition inspections 
under part 5 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor 
regulation, to incorporate the model standards issued under this 
section, as applicable.

SEC. 5. MAPPING.

(a) In General.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall, using the previous two years of inspection data, establish a 
geographic information system mapping tool that identifies areas which 
are impacted by a known presence of indoor residential mold.
(b) Required Inclusions.--The Secretary shall include, as part of 
the mapping tool--
(1) inspection documentation;
(2) management and occupancy reviews;
(3) transfers of budget authority for contracts under 
section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437f); and
(4) any additional information, as required by the 
Secretary.
(c) Updates.--The Secretary shall update the mapping tool with the 
latest inspection data not less often than once per year.

SEC. 6. HOUSING STOCK QUALITY REQUIREMENTS.

Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
1437f) is amended by inserting after subsection (v) the following new 
subsection:
``(w) Standards for Physical Condition and Management of Housing 
Receiving Assistance Payments.--
``(1) Standards.--Any entity receiving housing assistance 
payments under this section shall maintain decent, safe, and 
sanitary conditions, as determined by the Secretary, and comply 
with any standards under applicable State or local laws, rules, 
ordinances, or regulations relating to the physical condition 
of any insured or non-insured property covered under a housing 
assistance payment contract for project-based assistance.
``(2) Remediation.--The Secretary shall take action under 
paragraph (3) when a multifamily housing project with a housing 
assistance payment contract under this section or a contract 
with the Department of Housing and Urban Development for 
similar project-based assistance--
``(A) receives a failing score on a physical 
inspection by the Department; or
``(B) fails to certify in writing to the Secretary 
within 3 days that all severe health or safety 
deficiencies identified at the project by the inspector 
have been corrected.
The requirements under this paragraph shall apply to insured 
and non-insured projects with assistance attached to the 
dwelling units under this section.
``(3) Notice of default.--
``(A) Issuance.--Within 15 days of the issuance of 
the Real Estate Assessment Center inspection, the 
Secretary shall provide the owner with a notice of 
default that shall include a specified timetable, 
determined by the Secretary, for correcting all 
deficiencies.
``(B) Copies.--The Secretary shall provide a copy 
of the notice of default to the tenants of the 
property, the local government for the jurisdiction 
within which the property is located, any mortgagees, 
and any contract administrator.
``(C) Appeal; withdrawal.--If the owner appeals the 
notice of default and the appeal results in a passing 
Uniform Physical Condition Standards score for the 
property, the Secretary may withdraw the notice of 
default.
``(4) Enforcement.--If the owner fails to fully correct all 
deficiencies identified in the notice of default by the end of 
the time period for correcting such deficiencies specified in 
the notice, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the 
tenant organization, one or more of the following actions, and 
provide additional notice of those actions to the owner and the 
parties specified in paragraph (3)(B) to improve property 
conditions and preserve housing assistance:
``(A) Take any regulatory or contractual remedies 
available as deemed necessary and appropriate by the 
Secretary to improve property conditions, protect 
tenants from displacement and harm, and preserve the 
housing assistance.
``(B) Require immediate replacement of the project 
management with a management agent approved by the 
Secretary.
``(C) Abate the section 8 contract, including 
partial abatement, as determined by the Secretary, 
until all deficiencies have been corrected.
``(D) Pursue transfer of the project to an owner 
approved by the Secretary, in consultation with the 
tenant organization, under established procedures, who 
shall be obligated to promptly make all required 
repairs and to accept renewal of the assistance 
contract if such renewal is offered, in conjunction 
with the appropriate public housing agency or other 
local entity.
``(E) Transfer the existing section 8 contract to 
another project or projects and owner or owners who 
have demonstrated financial and organizational capacity 
to rehabilitate the project, in consultation with 
tenants and the appropriate public housing agency.
``(F) Pursue exclusionary sanctions, including 
suspensions or debarments from Federal programs.
``(G) Relocate tenants while providing the same 
level of housing assistance.
``(H) Seek judicial appointment of a receiver to 
manage the property and cure all project deficiencies 
or seek a judicial order of specific performance 
requiring the owner to cure all project deficiencies.
``(I) Cooperate with receivership efforts by State 
or local governments or lenders which aim to improve 
the property conditions and preserve the project-based 
housing assistance.
``(J) Work with the owner, lender, tenants, or 
other related party to stabilize the property in an 
attempt to preserve the property through compliance, 
transfer of ownership, or an infusion of capital or 
other resources.
``(5) Prohibition on rent increases.--Effective upon the 
expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the 
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall prohibit any 
increases in rents for dwelling units in the property until the 
owner fully corrects all deficiencies identified in the notice 
of default or demonstrates an ability to financially address 
conditions by--
``(A) providing a rehabilitation plan, developed in 
consultation with the tenants and approved by the 
Secretary; and
``(B) separately demonstrating a written and 
enforceable commitment by the tenants and the Secretary 
that any increases will address the conditions of the 
property.
``(6) Infeasible properties.--The Secretary shall take 
appropriate steps to ensure that project-based contracts for 
rental assistance remain in effect, subject to the exercise of 
contractual abatement remedies to assist relocation of tenants 
for major threats to health and safety, taken after written 
notice to the affected tenants. To the extent the Secretary 
determines, in consultation with the tenants and the local 
government, that a property is not feasible for continued 
rental assistance payments under such section 8 or other 
programs, based on consideration of--
``(A) the costs of rehabilitating and operating the 
property and all available Federal, State, and local 
resources, including rent adjustments under section 524 
of the Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and 
Affordability Act of 1997 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note), and
``(B) environmental conditions that cannot be 
remedied in a cost-effective fashion,
the Secretary may contract for project-based rental assistance 
payments with an owner or owners of other housing properties, 
and to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that the project-
based rental assistance is available to tenants from the 
originating site.
``(7) Reporting.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall submit a 
report to the Committees on Financial Services of the 
House of Representatives and Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs of the Senate semi-annually identifying 
all properties covered by this subsection that received 
a failing physical inspection score or have received an 
unsatisfactory management and occupancy review during 
the 36-month period ending upon submission of such 
report. Each such report shall include--
``(i) identification of the enforcement 
actions being taken to address such conditions 
leading to such score at each such property, 
including imposition of civil money penalties 
and termination of subsidies, and 
identification of properties that have such 
conditions multiple times;
``(ii) identification of actions that the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development is 
taking to protect tenants of such identified 
properties; and
``(iii) any recommendations for 
administrative or legislative actions to 
further improve the living conditions at such 
properties.
``(B) Timing.--The first report required under 
subparagraph (A) shall be submitted not later than 30 
days after the date of the enactment of this 
subsection, and the second report shall be submitted 
within 180 days of the submission of the first 
report.''.

SEC. 7. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC HOUSING AND CERTAIN OTHER 
FEDERALLY-ASSISTED CONSTRUCTION.

(a) Effective Date; Applicability.--The Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development shall take such actions and impose such standards and 
conditions as may be necessary or appropriate to ensure that any public 
housing constructed after the date of the issuance of the model 
construction standards and techniques established under subsection (b), 
is constructed in accordance with such model standards and techniques.
(b) Model Construction Standards.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, jointly with the Executive Director of the 
National Institute of Building Sciences, and the President of 
the National Academy of Sciences, to the extent such Director 
and President agree to participate, shall develop model 
construction standards and techniques for preventing and 
controlling indoor residential mold in new residential 
buildings.
(2) Contents.--The model standards and techniques shall 
provide for geographic differences in construction types and 
materials, geology, weather, and other variables that may 
affect indoor residential mold levels in new buildings.
(3) Consultation.--To the maximum extent possible, such 
standards and techniques shall be developed with--
(A) the assistance of organizations involved in 
establishing national building construction standards 
and techniques;
(B) the assistance of organizations that develop 
mold and water damage standards;
(C) representatives of State or local authorities 
responsible for building inspections and the issuance 
of certificates of occupancy;
(D) public health advocates; and
(E) housing advocates and organizations 
representing the interests of tenants.
(4) Publication.--The Secretary shall make a draft of the 
document containing the model standards and techniques 
available for public review and comment. The Secretary shall 
make final model standards and techniques available to the 
public not later than one year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
(5) Applicability to new construction and rehabilitation.--
Within 1 year of the publication of the final model standards 
and techniques required by paragraph (4), the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services, the Secretary of Energy, the Administrator of 
the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, and the Secretary of Defense shall each include such 
model standards and techniques as a requirement for residential 
rehabilitation or new construction projects funded with Federal 
appropriations made available by such agencies.
(6) Applicability to rental assistance demonstration and 
rad section 18 blend programs.--Within 1 year of the 
publication of the final model standards and techniques 
required by paragraph (4), the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall ensure that any rehabilitation or new 
construction through the Rental Assistance Demonstration 
program under the heading ``Rental Assistance Demonstration'' 
in title II of the Transportation, Housing and Urban 
Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012 
(division C of Public Law 112-55; 125 Stat. 673), or through 
any program blending such Rental Assistance Demonstration and 
section 18 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 complies 
with such model standards and techniques.

SEC. 8. PRESERVATION GRANTS FOR PROPERTIES RECEIVING SECTION 8 PROJECT-
BASED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

(a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to 
provide assistance to owners of properties receiving project-based 
subsidy contracts under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 
1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) or to municipalities or other units of local 
government that may administer repairs to a property receiving such 
project-based subsidy contracts, $250,000,000, which shall remain 
available until expended.
(b) Set Aside for New Construction.--
(1) Set aside.--Of the total amount of funds provided 
pursuant to this section, not less than 10 percent shall be 
available to eligible recipients described in subsection (a) 
for the purpose of adding new dwelling units to properties 
already receiving project-based subsidy contracts under section 
8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937.
(2) Eligibility.--Funds made available under this 
subsection for new construction may only be used by an eligible 
recipients who are already receiving an award for 
rehabilitation under this section.
(3) Priority of work.--Eligible recipients who receive 
funds for both new construction and for rehabilitation shall 
complete rehabilitation work before beginning new construction 
and shall provide certification to the Secretary, in a manner 
to be determined by the Secretary, that the rehabilitation has 
been completed in a satisfactory manner to eliminate health and 
safety risks before receiving any funds for new construction.
(4) Model building standards.--Within one year after the 
publication of the model building standards under section 
7(b)(4), the Secretary shall require eligible recipients who 
receive funds for new construction and rehabilitation to ensure 
that new construction and rehabilitation projects are in 
compliance with the model building standards and techniques 
developed under section 7(b)(1).
(c) Set-Aside for Technical Assistance.--Of the total amount of 
funds provided pursuant to this section, not less than 3 percent shall 
be used to provide technical assistance to applicants and to advertise 
the availability of funds under this section to areas 
disproportionately impacted by health and safety concerns in federally-
assisted housing.
(d) Use of Amounts.--
(1) In general.--Amounts provided pursuant to this section 
shall be used for competitive grants and low-interest loans for 
capital improvements to such properties, including grants for 
activities that mitigate threats to the health and safety of 
residents, reduce lead-based paint hazards, reduce other 
housing-related hazards, including carbon monoxide, radon, or 
indoor residential mold, improve water and energy efficiency, 
or reduce the risk of harm to occupants or property from 
natural hazards, or for low-interest loans for the same use.
(2) Loan and grant eligibility.--An owner of such a 
property shall be eligible for--
(A) a grant under this section only if such owner 
is a nonprofit entity; and
(B) a low-interest loan under this section only if 
such owner is a for-profit individual or entity.
(3) Eligibility of units of local government.--A municipal 
government, county, or other unit of local government may 
receive a grant under this section if sufficient capacity is 
demonstrated in their application to the Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development.
(e) Grants for Areas of High and Persistent Poverty.--Of any 
amounts made available pursuant to this section, not less than 30 
percent shall be available without regard to any requirement regarding 
minimum grant amount and only for eligible uses within or directly 
benefitting--
(1) any county that has consistently had 20 percent or more 
of the population living in poverty during the 30-year period 
preceding the date of enactment of this Act, as measured by the 
decennial census data obtained during those years and the most 
recent annual Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates as 
estimated by the Bureau of the Census;
(2) any census tract having a poverty rate of at least 20 
percent as measured by the most recent 5-year data series 
available from the American Community Survey of the Census 
Bureau; or
(3) any census tract having a predominantly disenfranchised 
population or a population disproportionately impacted by 
health and safety hazards in federally-assisted housing (as 
defined by the Secretary).
(f) Prioritization.--In awarding grants under this section, the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall prioritize awards that 
ameliorate or prevent indoor residential mold or other severe health or 
safety threats.
(g) Wage Rate Requirements.--Projects funded with funds provided 
under this section shall comply with the same requirements of 
subchapter IV of chapter 31 of title 40, United States Code that are 
applicable to contracts described in section 3142(a) of such title.
(h) Policies; Procedures; Contracts.--Grants and low-interest loans 
under this section shall--
(1) be provided through the policies, procedures, 
contracts, and transactional infrastructure of the authorized 
programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, on such terms and conditions as the Secretary of 
Housing and Urban Development deems appropriate to ensure the 
maintenance and preservation of the property, the continued 
operation and maintenance of energy efficiency technologies, 
and the timely expenditure of funds; and
(2) include a financial assessment and physical inspection 
of such property.
(i) Eligible Owners.--To be eligible for a grant or low-interest 
loan under this section, the owner of the property shall have at least 
a satisfactory management and occupancy review rating, be in 
substantial compliance with applicable performance standards and legal 
requirements, and commit to an additional period of affordability 
determined by the Secretary, but of not fewer than 50 years. Owners 
shall include nonprofit owners and preservation purchasers, including 
public housing agencies and nonprofit developers.
(j) Loan Terms.--
(1) In general.--A loan under this section shall--
(A) bear interest at a rate, determined by the 
Secretary, that--
(i) does not exceed by 3 percentage points 
the discount window primary credit interest 
rate most recently published on the Federal 
Reserve Statistical Release on selected 
interest rates (daily or weekly), commonly 
referred to as the ``H.15 release'' or the 
``Federal funds rate''; and
(ii) is below the average interest rate at 
the given time for a home improvement loan; and
(B) have a term to maturity of 10 years or 20 
years, as determined by the Secretary based on the 
credit of the borrower.
(2) Violations.--If the owner of a property receiving a 
loan under this section does not use the loan amounts as 
required under subsection (b)(1), does not maintain the 
affordability of the property as required under subsection (i), 
or does not comply with any other requirements established by 
the Secretary, the Secretary shall--
(A) work with the owner for not less than 30 days 
to ameliorate any violations; and
(B) if after 90 days such violations are not 
ameliorated--
(i) increase the interest rate of the loan 
by not less than 15 percentage points above the 
Federal funds rate; and
(ii) reduce the term to maturity of the 
loan to not more than 5 years.
(k) Conditions of Receipt of Grant or Loan.--The Secretary shall 
establish conditions on the receipt of a loan or grant under this 
section, as follows:
(1) Record; capacity.--The Secretary shall take reasonable 
steps to ensure that the owner or purchaser has no significant 
record of material noncompliance with applicable program 
standards and has demonstrated capacity to perform the 
obligations specified under this section.
(2) Repairs.--The Secretary shall require owners to agree 
to promptly make all required repairs, and when required by the 
Secretary, to develop a rehabilitation plan in consultation 
with the tenants and that will be approved by the Secretary, in 
conjunction with appropriate capital needs planning and 
required reserves, to ensure the provision of decent, safe, and 
sanitary housing throughout the full term of any extended 
restrictions and contracts.
(3) Use restrictions.--The Secretary shall require owners 
to agree to a longer use restriction of 50 years and to agree 
to a perpetually required renewal of the housing assistance 
payments contract if offered by the Secretary.
(l) Transfer Authority.--Of the amounts made available pursuant to 
this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may 
transfer up to 0.5 percent to the account for ``Department of Housing 
and Urban Development, Program Offices--Office of Housing'' for 
necessary costs of administering and overseeing the obligation and 
expenditure of amounts made available pursuant to this section and such 
transferred amounts shall remain available until September 30, 2028.

SEC. 9. PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGN.

(a) Requirement.--The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, and the heads 
of any other relevant Federal agencies, as determined by such 
Administrator and Secretary, shall jointly develop and carry out a 
public information and education campaign regarding indoor air quality 
and related issues that provides information required under this 
section on a recurring and annual basis through public outreach. The 
campaign shall commence within 1 year after the date of the enactment 
of this Act.
(b) Topics.--The information and education campaign shall include 
information on the dangers and prevention of indoor residential 
moisture and mold, volatile organic compounds, dust, smoking, 
pollution, indoor origins of smoke, including cooking, and any other 
health risks, as determined by such Administrator and Secretary.
(c) Indoor Residential Mold Information.--The information and 
education campaign shall include, at minimum, the following information 
regarding indoor residential mold:
(1) The conditions that facilitate indoor residential 
moisture and mold growth.
(2) Guidelines for inspecting indoor residential mold 
growth.
(3) Guidelines for remediating indoor residential mold 
growth.
(4) The dangers and health risks of exposure to indoor 
residential mold growth.
(5) The importance of ventilation and methods to prevent 
moisture accumulation in indoor residential environments.
(6) Any other information as determined appropriate by the 
heads of the agencies referred to in subsection (a).
(d) Tenant Rights Information.--The information and education 
campaign shall include providing covered tenants with information on 
tenant rights to a safe and habitable living environment and other 
related information as determined by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, which shall include information on who to contact if a 
tenant experiences problems or issues with building management or 
ownership, including, in the case of housing assisted under a contract 
for project-based assistance how to contact the performance-based 
contract administrator and, in the case of the Housing Choice Voucher 
program how to contact the housing authority.
(e) Modes of Communication.--
(1) In general.--The public information and education 
campaign shall provide education and information through modes 
of communication that are commonly utilized and able to be 
easily consumed by relevant individuals or organizations, which 
shall include communication through advertisements on public 
transit in all 50 States and in territories and possessions of 
the United States, and distribution of the pamphlet developed 
pursuant to subsection (j) as required under such subsection.
(2) Availability.--All education and information that is 
part of the information and education campaign shall be made 
publicly available on the websites of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, the Department of Housing and Urban 
Development, and any other applicable Federal agencies.
(f) Targeted Groups.--The public information and education campaign 
shall be designed to reach tenants, tenant organizations working 
directly with tenants in project-based rental assistance and other 
types of federally-assisted housing, resident groups, landlords, health 
professionals, the general public, homeowners, prospective homeowners, 
the real estate industry, the home construction and renovation 
industries, the health, property and casualty, and life insurance 
industries, technical and vocational schools and colleges, and other 
academic institutions.
(g) Information Specific to Health Professions.--The public 
information and education campaign shall include information about 
warning signs of mold and other indoor air exposure pollutants and 
shall include education for health professions on mold-related illness, 
including for health professions who work with vulnerable populations 
and children in school or daycare settings.
(h) Coordination.--In developing and carrying out the public 
information and education campaign, the heads of the agencies referred 
to in subsection (a) may coordinate with the Ad Council.
(i) Language.--All information provided under the public 
information and education campaign--
(1) shall be provided in at least two languages, as 
determined by the Secretary, based on the most common languages 
spoken in the neighborhood, tribe, municipality, State, or 
region, and may be provided in additional languages based on 
the most common languages spoken in the neighborhood, tribe, 
municipality, State, or region, as determined by the Secretary; 
and
(2) shall be provided in language that is at a sixth grade 
reading level and is easy to understand.
(j) Provision to Covered Tenants.--
(1) Timing.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Attorney 
General shall ensure that all appropriate information under the 
information and education campaign is provided to covered 
tenants upon signing and any renewal of a lease for the 
dwelling unit of assisted housing that the covered tenant 
resides in.
(2) Covered tenants.--For purposes of this section, the 
term ``covered tenant'' means a tenant who resides in a rental 
dwelling unit that is assisted, through tenant-based or 
project-based assistance, under a housing assistance program 
administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
or the Secretary of Agriculture or who receives rental housing 
assistance under a program administered by either such 
Secretary, including the following programs:
(A) The program under section 202 of the Housing 
Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q), including the direct 
loan program under such section.
(B) The program under section 811 of the Cranston-
Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
8013).
(C) The program under subtitle D of title VIII of 
the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act 
(42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.).
(D) The programs under title IV of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et 
seq.).
(E) The program under subtitle A of title II of the 
Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 
U.S.C. 12741 et seq.).
(F) The program under paragraph (3) of section 
221(d) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715l(d)) 
that bears interest at a rate determined under the 
proviso under paragraph (5) of such section 221(d).
(G) The program under section 236 of the National 
Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-1).
(H) The programs under sections 6 and 8 of the 
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437d, 
1437f).
(I) The programs for rural housing assistance 
provided under sections 514, 515, 516, 533, 538, and 
542 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1484, 1485, 
1486, 1490m, 1490p-2, 1490r).
(J) The low-income housing tax credit program under 
section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(K) The provision of assistance from the Housing 
Trust Fund established under section 1338 of the 
Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and 
Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4568).
(L) The provision of assistance for housing under 
the Comprehensive Service Programs for Homeless 
Veterans program under subchapter II of chapter 20 of 
title 38.
(M) The provision of assistance for housing and 
facilities under the grant program for homeless 
veterans with special needs under section 2061 of title 
38, United States Code.
(N) The provision of assistance for permanent 
housing under the program for financial assistance for 
supportive services for very low-income veteran 
families in permanent housing under section 2044 of 
title 38, United States Code.
(O) The provision of transitional housing 
assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating 
violence, sexual assault, or stalking under the grant 
program under chapter 11 of subtitle B of the Violence 
Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12351 et seq.).
(P) The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program 
and any other program administered by the Department of 
Energy that provides residential home rehabilitation or 
energy efficiency assistance.
(Q) Any other Federal housing programs providing 
affordable housing to low- and moderate-income persons 
by means of restricted rents or rental assistance, or 
more generally providing affordable housing 
opportunities, as identified by the appropriate agency 
through regulations, notices, or any other means.
(k) Pamphlet.--
(1) Requirement.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, in consultation with the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health, the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, and the heads of any other agencies the 
Secretary considers appropriate, shall develop, publish, and 
revise, not less frequently than every 5 years, a pamphlet 
regarding indoor residential mold hazards.
(2) Content.--The pamphlet required under this subsection 
shall--
(A) contain information regarding the health risks 
associated with exposure to indoor residential mold 
growth;
(B) provide information on the hazards of indoor 
residential mold growth in federally-assisted and 
federally-owned housing;
(C) describe the risks of indoor residential mold 
exposure for persons residing in a dwelling with 
toxigenic mold;
(D) provide information on approved methods for 
evaluating and reducing indoor residential mold growth 
and their effectiveness in identifying, reducing, 
eliminating, or preventing indoor residential mold 
growth;
(E) provide advice on how to obtain a list of 
persons certified to inspect or remediate indoor 
residential mold growth in the area in which the 
pamphlet is to be used;
(F) include a statement that a risk assessment or 
inspection for indoor residential mold growth is 
recommended prior to the purchase, lease, or renovation 
of target housing;
(G) include a statement that certain State and 
local laws impose additional requirements related to 
indoor residential mold growth in housing and provide a 
listing of Federal, State, and local agencies in each 
State, including address, telephone number, and 
electronic mail address, if available, that can provide 
information about applicable laws and available 
governmental and private assistance and financing;
(H) provide information considered by the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
be appropriate or necessary to promote awareness of the 
hazards posed by indoor residential mold;
(I) include information on indoor air quality 
safety generally, including best practices when 
cooking, taking a shower or bath, and smoking 
cessation;
(J) be publicly available on the websites of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and other applicable 
Federal agencies; and
(K) include any other information considered by the 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to 
be appropriate or necessary.
(3) Tenants in federally-assisted housing.--The Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall ensure that a copy of the pamphlet required 
under this section is provided annually to all covered tenants 
mail by a hard copy left at the tenant address, by United 
States mail sent to the tenant, or by electronic mail sent to 
the tenant.
(l) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

SEC. 10. EMPOWERING TENANTS.

(a) Notification to Tenants of Inspection Results.--
(1) Requirement.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall provide direct notification of the results of 
any inspection of covered property to the tenants and resident 
organizations, as provided in this subsection.
(2) Method.--Notification shall be provided to tenants in 
easy-to-understand language in the form of a written hard-copy 
document provided through United States mail or through 
electronic mail, or both, with one copy provided for the 
tenants of each building in the covered property, and shall 
include the inspection score and a detailed description of the 
inspection results, including any health and safety violations 
found and the timeline for their remediation, while ensuring 
tenant privacy.
(3) Posting.--The owner or manager of the covered property 
shall post a hard copy of the notification of the inspection 
results in at least one centrally located and easily-
identifiable location each building of the covered property 
that is accessible to all tenants, which may include next to 
the front door, in communal space, or next to the mailboxes for 
tenants.
(4) Timing.--Notification shall be provided--
(A) in the case of any inspection that found no 
severe health or safety issues, no later than 30 days 
after completion of the inspection; or
(B) in the case of any inspection that found severe 
health and safety issues, as soon as the score is 
final.
(5) Opportunity for tenant questions.--The notification 
shall include contact information, including electronic mail 
address, phone number, and mailing address, of the appropriate 
person or entity to contact should tenants have questions about 
the results of the inspection. Owners who fail to post the 
notice shall be subject to a Management and Occupancy Review.
(b) Request for Second Inspection.--
(1) Requirements.--Pursuant to a request made to the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, the Secretary shall 
carry out a subsequent inspection for a covered property that 
has passed a previous inspection, if the following requirements 
are met:
(A) Score.--The passing test score for the previous 
inspection for the covered property did not exceed the 
minimum score required to pass inspection by more than 
15 percent or the most recent score for an inspection 
for the covered property is 15 percent or more less 
than any other score for the property for an inspection 
of the property conducted during the preceding 10-year 
period.
(B) Tenant vote.--A vote of tenants of the covered 
property was conducted on the proposition of whether 
the property should have passed the most recent 
inspection, which vote--
(i) was administered by the tenant 
association for the property or an independent 
third party;
(ii) utilizes the democratic process and 
may have utilized an anonymous voting platform, 
either electronically or through paper ballots, 
for casting votes; and
(iii) resulted in 51 percent or more of the 
tenants residing in the property voting against 
the proposition that the property should have 
passed the most recent inspection.
(C) Notification.--
(i) To hud.--The chief executive officer of 
the tenants association notifies the Secretary, 
the project-based contract administrator for 
the covered property, and the owner or 
management of the property of the results of 
the vote and requests a second inspection for 
the covered property, which notification and 
request--
(I) includes a copy of the tally of 
the vote;
(II) does not, in verifying the 51 
percent majority vote, disclose 
personally identifiable information of 
the tenants, including by their 
signatures; and
(III) is transmitted, both by 
electronic mail and by mailing a hard 
copy, not later than 60 days after 
receipt of the notification under 
subsection (a) regarding the passing 
result of the previous inspection for 
the covered property.
(ii) Notification of second inspection 
score.--Tenants shall be notified of the score 
of the second inspection using the same 
notification criteria as apply to the first 
inspection and shall be provided with the 
contact information of the person or entity 
that they can contact with any questions about 
the second inspection.
(2) Mediation.--If a second inspection is conducted 
pursuant to a vote under paragraph (1) and the covered property 
is assessed a passing score for such second inspection, and if 
another vote is taken that complies with the same requirements 
applicable under such paragraph to the first inspection, and 
such vote results in 51 percent or more of the tenants residing 
in the property voting against the proposition that the 
property should have passed the second inspection, the 
Secretary shall provide a tenant association representative an 
opportunity for mediation with the building owner and the 
project-based contractor administrator regarding continuing 
issues and inspection findings and the process for a Management 
and Occupancy Review shall begin concurrently. The mediation 
shall be conducted within 180 days of the second inspection.
(c) Tenant Hotline.--Commencing not later 90 days after the date of 
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall--
(1) undertake ongoing activities to advertise the 
availability and telephone number of the Multifamily Housing 
Complaint Line of the Multifamily Housing Clearinghouse;
(2) periodically provide tenants of covered property, 
through the website of the Department and otherwise, as the 
Secretary considers appropriate, with information about what 
happens when they call the complaint line;
(3) provide sufficient staff for the complaint line to 
ensure that the complaint line is sufficiently staffed for a 
minimum of 12 hours each day and so that the waiting time to 
speak live to an employee of the Department does not exceed 15 
minutes on average as measured over a given one-week period;
(4) ensure that the complaint line offers tenants of 
covered properties intake for health and safety issues at such 
properties;
(5) ensure that upon calling the complaint line, a tenant 
of a covered property is first informed of how to contact the 
project-based contract administrator for the property to 
discuss the issue the tenant called about, and if the tenant 
has previously contacted such administrator or does not wish to 
involve such administrator, the person answering the call on 
the complaint line is capable of providing assistance for the 
tenant directly or can intake tenant information to assist with 
the request;
(6) ensure that if the complaint line has received calls 
within any 60-day period from tenants of a covered property 
representing 15 percent or more of the dwelling units in the 
property, the appropriate regional office of the Department 
shall be notified;
(7) ensure that if within three months after the 
notification of the appropriate regional office of the 
Department, the tenant hotline has received any additional 
calls from tenants of the same covered property, the 
headquarters office of the Department shall be notified; and
(8) provide availability of translation services for the 
complaint line.
(d) Covered Property.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``covered property'' means a multifamily housing property that is 
subject to inspection by the Real Estate Assessment Center of the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(e) Advance Notice to Tenants.--Not later than 180 days after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall update inspection procedures and requirements to 
ensure that tenants of covered properties have at least 7 days of 
advance notice of when their building will be inspected. In the advance 
notice of inspection, tenants shall be provided the opportunity to 
inform the Department of Housing and Urban Development or inspectors, 
or both, of specific issues regarding the unit or building.

SEC. 11. HEALTHY HOMES INCENTIVE FOR REQUIRING INDOOR RESIDENTIAL MOLD 
AND OTHER HAZARD DISCLOSURE.

(a) Supplemental Healthy Homes Funding.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for use 
under the Healthy Homes Initiative, pursuant to sections 501 and 502 of 
the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 and 
1701z-2), and for related activities and assistance, $80,000,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2028, for financial awards under 
this section. Amounts appropriated pursuant to this section shall 
supplement, but not supplant, amounts otherwise appropriated.
(b) Financial Awards.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development shall provide financial awards under this section for a 
fiscal year to each State, Indian tribe, county, unit of local 
government, and other unit of government that requires, to the 
satisfaction of the Secretary, that during such fiscal year sellers of 
residential properties containing not more than 4 dwelling units shall 
complete and provide to the purchaser a disclosure form indicating the 
presence of all environmental hazards, including radon, carbon 
monoxide, formaldeyde, lead, asbestos, and indoor residential mold, 
that are known to the seller. Such a disclosure form shall be its own 
conspicuous form that includes information regarding health and dangers 
about such environmental hazards.
(c) Use.--Amounts provided as financial awards pursuant to this 
section shall be used only for activities that make health-related 
improvements to housing units that serve primarily low-income persons 
and are located within the jurisdiction of the State, Indian tribe, 
county, local government, or other unit of government that is awarded 
such assistance.

SEC. 12. UNIFORM PHYSICAL INSPECTION SAMPLING.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall revise the 
regulations of the Secretary under subpart G of part 5 of title 24, 
Code of Federal Regulations (relating to physical condition standards 
and inspection requirements), as follows:
(1) Annual inspections.--In section 5.705, as amended by 
the final rule for National Standards for the Physical 
Inspection of Real Estate (88 Fed. Reg. 30442), to provide that 
physical inspections are conducted annually without exception.
(2) Sampling of units.--To provide that, in carrying out 
uniform physical inspection requirements under an annual 
inspection, the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
shall ensure that any units in HUD housing that were not 
inspected during the previous two annual inspections shall be 
inspected during the next occurring annual inspection.
(3) Inclusion of priority units in score.--In carrying out 
uniform physical inspection requirements under an annual 
inspection, the Department of Housing and Urban Development 
shall ensure that any and all individual units requested to be 
inspected by tenants are included as part of the composite 
score of the property.

SEC. 13. DENIAL OF DEPRECIATION DEDUCTION FOR PROPERTIES WITH FAILED 
NSPIRE INSPECTIONS.

(a) In General.--Section 167 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
is amended by redesignating subsection (i) as subsection (j) and by 
inserting after subsection (h) the following:
``(i) Disallowance of Depreciation Deduction for Property Which 
Fails National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate.--
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), no 
depreciation deduction shall be allowed under this section (and 
no depreciation or amortization deduction shall be allowed 
under any other provision of this subtitle) to the taxpayer for 
the taxable year with respect to any property described in 
section 168(e)(2)(A)(i) which fails an NSPIRE inspection during 
the taxable year.
``(2) Exceptions.--
``(A) In general.--No deduction shall be denied 
under paragraph (1) in the case of a health or safety 
violation which causes a property to fail an NSPIRE 
inspection if either--
``(i) such violation is cured within 90 
days of the date of a failed inspection, or
``(ii) the inspector finds sufficient 
evidence that such violation was caused by the 
tenant and not by the owner or management of 
the property.
``(B) Extension of time to cure.--The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services may provide 30-day extensions 
of the 90-day period described in subparagraph (A)(i) 
on a case-by-case basis and communicate such extensions 
to the Secretary of the Treasury.
``(3) NSPIRE inspection.--The term `NSPIRE inspection' 
means any housing inspection required under the National 
Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate of the 
Real Estate Assessment Center of the Department of Housing and 
Urban Development.
``(4) Increased duration for disallowance in the case of 
multiple failed inspections.--In the case of a property which 
fails two consecutive NSPIRE inspections, paragraph (1) shall 
be applied by substituting `for the taxable year, and for the 
immediately succeeding taxable year,' for `for the taxable 
year'.
``(5) Disallowed depreciation amounts may not be taken in 
future year.--The depreciation deduction allowed with respect 
to the property described in paragraph (1) with respect to any 
future taxable year shall be determined without regard to the 
amount denied for any year for which such deduction was denied.
``(6) Basis adjustments.--If, but for this subsection, a 
depreciation or amortization deduction would be allowable to 
the taxpayer with respect to any property--
``(A) the taxpayer's basis in such property shall 
be reduced by any depreciation or amortization 
deductions disallowed under this subsection, and
``(B) the basis of the remainder interest in such 
property shall be increased by the amount of such 
disallowed deductions.
``(7) Regulations and guidance.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary, after 
consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development, shall prescribe such regulations as may be 
necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of 
this subsection.
``(B) HUD secretary.--Not later than one year after 
the date of the enactment of this subsection, the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
prescribe regulations to establish a mechanism for 
providing information to the Secretary detailing which 
properties have failed an NSPIRE inspection during the 
taxable year and which properties have received 
extensions of time to cure. In creating this mechanism, 
the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
ensure that the Secretary of the Treasury receives 
information about failing properties at least once per 
calendar quarter.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by this section shall apply 
to taxable years beginning after the date that is one year after the 
date of the enactment of this Act.

SEC. 14. SUPPORTING LANDLORDS TO RECEIVE TIMELY VOUCHER PAYMENTS.

(a) In General.--Notwithstanding and other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall allow public housing 
agencies to approve a tenancy using a voucher provided under section 
8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) and 
make a payment under such voucher before inspection of the dwelling 
unit if the inspection will be conducted more than 14 days after 
receiving a tenancy package.
(b) Failed Inspections.--If the unit fails inspection and is not 
brought into compliance within 14 days, the owner of the unit shall 
repay the payment received from the public housing agency within the 
following 14 days and shall not hold the tenant responsible for payment 
and shall not evict or terminate the tenant on such basis. If the 
tenant is in the unit at the time the payment is issued but the unit 
does not pass inspection, the public housing agency shall be 
responsible for relocating the tenant and providing additional 
assistance.
(c) Additional Incentives.--Within 180 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall establish additional incentives for public housing agencies to 
perform expedited inspection of dwelling units.

SEC. 15. PROJECT-BASED CONTRACT ADMINISTRATOR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall require, not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, that 
project-based contract administrators shall submit to the Secretary 
data on projects and project owners covering the previous 180 days, 
including an analysis of any trends identified over the previous 180 
days on housing conditions, tenant complaints, tenant hospitalizations 
brought to the attention of the contract administrator, and any other 
information as required by the Secretary.

SEC. 16. COORDINATION BETWEEN USDA AND HUD.

Within 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Agriculture shall ensure, to the greatest extent 
practicable, that the minimum requirements and physical quality 
standards for housing properties assisted by the Department of 
Agriculture meet or exceed the standards established by the Secretary 
of Housing and Urban Development pursuant to section 4 of this Act.

SEC. 17. GAO STUDY ON HEALTH AND SAFETY CONCERNS IN FEDERALLY-ASSISTED 
HOUSING.

Not later than the expiration of the 3-year period beginning on the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
United States shall submit a report to the Congress analyzing and 
assessing the communication, as applicable, between public housing 
agencies, landlords, and tenants over resolving problems with the 
health, safety, or other issues of dwelling units that are federally 
subsidized and inspected through subpart G of part 5 of title 24, Code 
of Federal Regulations, landlord responsiveness regarding such issues, 
opportunities for improvement in such communications, and how tenants 
understand their rights and how they are responded to when issues 
arise, including protocols for responding to tenant complaints and 
tenant understanding of such processes. The report shall include 
recommendations for how to improve such communications and the physical 
quality of the housing stock for which such assistance is provided.

SEC. 18. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

It is the sense of the Congress that the Departments of the 
Treasury and Housing and Urban Development should work together 
cooperatively, including through development of a Memorandum of 
Understanding if appropriate, to ensure that implementation of this Act 
is consistent with the provisions of the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
3601 et seq.).

SEC. 19. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Housing 
and Urban Development--
(1) $50,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 
2024, for costs to the Department of implementing this Act and 
the amendments made by this Act, including costs of providing 
staff to carry out this Act and such amendments; and
(2) $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 and 2026 for 
continuing costs of carrying out this Act and the amendments 
made by this Act.
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