HUD Gets Power to Mandate 71-81°F Temperature Range in Federally Assisted Housing

The newly proposed Safe Temperature Act of 2025 is short, focused, and directly tackles a huge quality-of-life issue for renters in federally assisted housing. Essentially, it gives the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the explicit authority to mandate that certain subsidized units must maintain an indoor temperature between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit, year-round. This is a clear, specific standard aimed at eliminating extreme indoor temperatures—whether it’s a heatwave or a deep freeze—for residents in Section 8 housing, public housing, and housing for the elderly.

The Goldilocks Zone: What the 71-81°F Standard Means

For anyone living in a subsidized unit, this is the good news: the bill establishes a clear, enforceable minimum standard for habitability regarding temperature control. If you live in a Section 8 unit (Section 8(o)(13)), your landlord could now be required to keep your apartment within that 10-degree “Goldilocks Zone.” This is especially critical for vulnerable populations, like the elderly residents covered under Section 202 housing, who are particularly susceptible to extreme heat or cold. The bill is unambiguous about the range, meaning no more guessing games about what constitutes “adequate” heating or cooling.

Paying for the Upgrade: How Public Housing Agencies Get Help

One of the biggest practical hurdles in maintaining climate control is the cost of fixing old, broken HVAC systems in public housing. This bill addresses that head-on by explicitly authorizing Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to use their federal Capital Fund or Operating Fund money specifically to meet this new temperature standard. This means if a PHA needs to replace an ancient boiler or install new air conditioning units to comply with the 71–81 degree rule, they now have clear permission to use existing federal dollars for those specific upgrades. This provision is key because it provides a mechanism for compliance rather than just issuing a mandate.

The Real-World Impact for Tenants and Managers

For a tenant, this means more than just comfort; it’s a health issue. Imagine a summer where the outside temperature hits 100 degrees. If you’re in public housing, this bill ensures your management has the resources and the mandate to keep your unit below 81 degrees. For property managers and PHAs, while the bill provides funding flexibility, it does introduce a new, strict operational requirement. They will need to ensure their maintenance teams are ready to monitor and quickly fix systems to keep every unit within that tight 10-degree window. While this mandate is beneficial for residents, it places a tangible operational burden on the agencies responsible for managing these properties, pushing them to upgrade or better maintain their climate control infrastructure.