HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5429
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-10-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act aims to enhance collaboration among the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in administering housing programs. It focuses on sharing data and identifying ways to make these programs more efficient, ultimately supporting better policymaking based on evidence.
Key Provisions
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU): The Secretaries of HUD, USDA, and VA must create an MOU or similar agreement to share housing-related research and market data. This sharing is intended to inform evidence-based decisions in housing policy (e.g., using data on housing needs and trends to guide program improvements).
- Joint Report on Collaboration: Within 180 days of the bill's enactment, the three Secretaries must submit a joint report to specified congressional committees in both the Senate and House. The report will outline opportunities for greater collaboration to boost efficiencies in housing programs.
- Before submission, the report must be published in the Federal Register (a government publication for official notices) and open for public comments for 30 days.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new requirements for interagency coordination that do not appear to amend prior laws directly. It mandates formal data-sharing agreements and a specific reporting process, which could standardize how these agencies interact on housing issues—previously handled on an ad hoc basis without such structured obligations.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD, USDA, and VA may experience improved coordination, reducing duplication in housing efforts (e.g., rural housing under USDA, urban affordable housing under HUD, and veteran-specific programs under VA). This could lead to more streamlined operations and resource use.
- On Citizens: Beneficiaries of housing programs—such as low-income families, rural residents, and veterans—could see enhanced services, like better access to affordable housing or faster program delivery, through data-driven efficiencies.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses solely on domestic U.S. housing agencies and programs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Federal Agencies: HUD (oversees urban and affordable housing), USDA (manages rural housing and community development), and VA (provides housing benefits for veterans).
- Congressional Committees: Senate Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; and Veterans' Affairs; plus House Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, and Veterans' Affairs, which will receive and review the report.
- Public and Housing Beneficiaries: Individuals and communities relying on federal housing assistance, including veterans, low-income households, and rural populations, who may indirectly benefit from program improvements.
- General Public: Allowed to comment on the report, providing input on collaboration opportunities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill promotes transparency through public comment periods and Federal Register publication, aligning with federal administrative laws that encourage public involvement in policymaking. It does not create enforceable rights for individuals but sets internal agency duties.
- Constitutional: No significant issues; it supports the separation of powers by requiring agencies to report to Congress, enhancing legislative oversight of executive branch activities.
- Political: Bipartisan introduction (by Rep. De La Cruz and Rep. Beatty) suggests broad support for interagency efficiency. It could foster non-partisan improvements in housing policy without mandating major spending or regulatory overhauls, potentially serving as a model for future cross-agency collaborations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. De La Cruz, Monica [R-TX-15]
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-10-01: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-09-17: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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.
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-17: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- HUD-USDA-VA Interagency Coordination Act — issued 2025-09-17 — PDF (3 pages)