Weatherization Resilience and Adaptation Program Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5650
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Environmental Protection
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25T09:06:31Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Weatherization Resilience and Adaptation Program Act aims to create a federal grant program to help primarily low-income individuals and property owners make their homes and land more resistant to climate change effects, such as floods, wildfires, and extreme heat. It focuses on reducing the financial barriers that prevent vulnerable communities from implementing protective measures against worsening weather events.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Establishment: The Secretary of the Interior must set up a program within 180 days of enactment to award grants to states (including D.C. and territories), federally recognized Indian Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations. These recipients then provide sub-grants to eligible property owners for adaptations like building modifications and natural landscaping solutions (e.g., planting trees to reduce flood risk).
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Recipients (Eligible Program Participants): States, Tribes, and Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Property Owners (Eligible Property Owners): Low-income individuals (income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, adjustable with justification); owners of affordable housing with long-term restrictions; owners of multifamily buildings where over 50% of units have subsidized rents; and owners of manufactured home communities.
- Use of Funds:
- Grants fund resilience activities, such as upgrading structures or using eco-friendly methods to mitigate climate hazards, while preserving accessibility for people with disabilities.
- Recipients must prioritize high-risk areas and conduct outreach to educate all eligible owners, even those not receiving funds. Up to 15% of funds can cover administration and outreach.
- For multifamily buildings, grants may require owner matching funds, but include protections: no resident displacement without comparable relocation options and return rights; no rent increases for at least 2 years due to improvements (pre-existing agreements excepted).
- Applications must be accessible online via smartphones and in paper form; recipients cannot add burdensome eligibility rules.
- Rulemaking and Standards:
- The Secretary, in consultation with agencies like Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, EPA, and FEMA, must issue rules within 180 days, including resilience standards developed with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director.
- NIST must publish standards within 1 year, considering costs, fair labor practices, regional climate variations, and natural solutions.
- Rules include audits, annual reporting, and public performance targets to ensure timely and effective use of funds.
- Funding Authorization: $250 million annually for the Secretary from fiscal years 2026–2031; $2 million annually for the NIST Director from 2026–2028.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new grant program under the Department of the Interior, building on but distinct from existing weatherization efforts (e.g., those under the Department of Energy). It expands federal support specifically for climate adaptation in private homes and affordable housing, with novel requirements for equity (e.g., anti-displacement protections) and integration of NIST-developed standards. It does not amend prior laws but creates standalone mechanisms for funding and oversight.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Low-income and vulnerable homeowners gain access to financial help for property upgrades, potentially reducing disaster recovery costs, displacement, and health risks from extreme weather. Outreach could increase awareness of resilience options across communities.
- On Government Agencies: The Department of the Interior and NIST face new administrative duties, including grant management, rulemaking, and standard-setting, requiring coordination with multiple agencies. States, Tribes, and organizations must handle sub-grant distribution and reporting, increasing workload but providing resources.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it indirectly supports U.S. climate adaptation efforts, aligning with global commitments like the Paris Agreement by addressing domestic vulnerabilities.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Low-Income and Affordable Housing Residents: Primary beneficiaries, especially in high-risk areas, gaining protections against rent hikes and displacement.
- Property Owners and Developers: Eligible for funds but subject to conditions like affordability covenants and labor standards.
- State, Tribal, and Local Governments: Act as grant intermediaries, responsible for prioritization, outreach, and compliance.
- Federal Agencies: Department of the Interior (lead), NIST (standards), and others (consultation and oversight).
- Frontline Communities: Including Tribes, Native Hawaiians, and urban/rural low-income groups disproportionately affected by climate hazards.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Emphasizes equitable distribution through strict eligibility and anti-burden rules, potentially reducing litigation over fund access. Integrates disability accessibility and fair labor, aligning with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act and labor standards.
- Constitutional: Relies on Congress's spending power to fund state and local adaptations, promoting general welfare via climate resilience; no apparent First Amendment or federalism issues, as it involves voluntary grants with compliance incentives.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (e.g., Republicans and Democrats) signals cross-aisle support for climate equity. It highlights environmental justice by targeting underserved groups, but funding levels and implementation timelines could spark debates on fiscal priorities and effectiveness metrics.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Carter, Troy A. [D-LA-2], Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37], Rep. Huffman, Jared [D-CA-2], Rep. Kamlager-Dove, Sydney [D-CA-37], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Panetta, Jimmy [D-CA-19], Rep. Peters, Scott H. [D-CA-50], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Green, Al [D-TX-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, 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.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Weatherization Resilience and Adaptation Program Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (13 pages)