PRICE Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 4477
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-07-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-24T08:08:32Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The PRICE Act aims to create a federal grant program to fund improvements and preservation efforts in manufactured housing communities. These are affordable housing options often serving low- and moderate-income families. The goal is to enhance resident health, safety, accessibility, and long-term affordability while supporting community infrastructure and services.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Eligible manufactured housing community: A community where homes are for permanent living, mostly occupied by manufactured homes (including older ones built before 1976 safety standards), and affordable for households earning up to 120% of the local median income. It must be resident-owned (e.g., via a cooperative) or committed to staying affordable long-term.
- Eligible recipients: Includes resident-owned communities or cooperatives, local governments, housing authorities, nonprofits with housing expertise, community development financial institutions (certified lenders focused on underserved areas), Indian Tribes, tribally designated housing entities (tribal organizations handling housing), states, or owner-operators partnering with such communities.
- Other terms cover "resident health, safety, and accessibility activities" (e.g., repairs for safety, energy efficiency, or disability access) and standard definitions for Indian Tribes and tribally designated entities.
- Grant Program Establishment: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary will run a competitive grant program via public notices, awarding funds to eligible recipients for projects in these communities.
- Eligible Projects: Grants can fund:
- Infrastructure like utilities, roads, or facilities serving the community.
- Repairs or reconstruction of existing homes.
- Replacement of homes (but only for units built before June 15, 1976—the date of federal manufactured home safety standards—and replacements must meet modern standards or Secretary-approved alternatives; no rehab of pre-1976 units).
- Planning activities.
- Health, safety, and accessibility upgrades (e.g., weatherization to cut energy costs).
- Land acquisition for expansion or new construction.
- Resident services like relocation help, eviction prevention, or down payment aid.
- Other Secretary-approved activities that improve living conditions, add shared spaces (e.g., community centers), and ensure health, safety, affordability, and sustainability.
- Priorities and Flexibility:
- Grants prioritize projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents and preserving long-term affordability.
- The Secretary can waive non-essential rules (e.g., certain administrative requirements) to ease fund use, but must uphold fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and environmental protections.
- Implementation:
- HUD will set selection criteria via regulations and notices.
- Funds can be set aside for Indian Tribes and tribally designated entities.
- Authorizes "such sums as necessary" for the program, added to existing housing funds (no specific dollar amount set).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (which funds community development block grants) by adding a new Section 123 for this targeted grant program.
- Makes a small tweak to Section 105(a) of that Act, clarifying that general community activities must align with the new program's rules unless otherwise allowed.
- Introduces restrictions on using funds for pre-1976 home rehabs (shifting focus to full replacements) and expands eligible uses to include resident services and tribal set-asides, which weren't previously specified for manufactured housing.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HUD gains responsibility for administering the program, including rulemaking, grant awards, and waivers, potentially increasing workload and requiring new staff or processes. Local governments and tribes may access extra federal funds for housing projects.
- Citizens: Low- and moderate-income residents in manufactured housing (often families, seniors, or rural dwellers) could see safer, more energy-efficient homes, lower utility costs, and better community amenities, reducing displacement risks and supporting affordability amid housing shortages.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic housing policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Residents: Primarily low- and moderate-income individuals in manufactured housing communities, who benefit from improved safety, affordability, and services.
- Community Owners and Operators: Resident cooperatives, nonprofits, and private owners partnering on projects, gaining funds for upgrades.
- Local and Tribal Governments: Units of general local government, states, Indian Tribes, and tribally designated entities, which can apply for or administer grants.
- Support Organizations: Housing authorities, community development financial institutions, and nonprofits with housing expertise, positioned to lead or support applications and implementations.
- Broader Public: Taxpayers funding the program; real estate developers or investors in affordable housing may see indirect opportunities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens federal support for affordable housing under existing community development laws, with built-in safeguards for fair housing (anti-discrimination rules) and environmental compliance. The replacement-only rule for older homes aligns with federal safety standards but may limit options for minor fixes, potentially leading to legal challenges over fund restrictions.
- Constitutional: No major issues; promotes equal access to housing without infringing on property rights, and tribal provisions respect sovereignty under federal Indian law (e.g., referencing the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act).
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Democrats and a Republican) signals broad support for addressing housing affordability, a nonpartisan issue. Could influence future appropriations debates, emphasizing preservation over new construction in underserved areas.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Cosponsors (9)
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-07-17: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-07-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-07-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement Act — issued 2025-07-17 — PDF (9 pages)