The PRICE Act would establish a grant program for improving manufactured housing communities, focusing on infrastructure, housing repairs, resident services, and long-term affordability, with priority given to projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents.
Catherine Cortez Masto
Senator
NV
The PRICE Act establishes a competitive grant program to improve manufactured housing communities. These grants can fund infrastructure upgrades, housing reconstruction or replacement, community services, and other activities that enhance living conditions and affordability. The program prioritizes projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents while preserving long-term housing affordability and allows waivers on certain regulations to facilitate grant usage.
PRICE Act Proposes Grants to Upgrade Manufactured Housing Communities, Boost Affordability
The proposed PRICE Act aims to set up a new competitive grant program specifically for improving manufactured housing communities. The core idea is to funnel funds towards fixing up infrastructure, housing, and providing services, with a clear priority for projects that help low- and moderate-income residents and keep housing affordable long-term.
Sprucing Up the Basics
Think about the essential stuff that makes a community livable – roads without massive potholes, reliable water and sewer lines, maybe even shared spaces like playgrounds or community centers. This grant program allows eligible communities (like those owned by residents or non-profits focused on affordability) to apply for funds to tackle these kinds of infrastructure and facility upgrades. This could mean anything from paving internal roads to installing better lighting or improving drainage systems, aiming for tangible improvements in daily life.
Better Homes, Safer Living
Beyond the groundwork, the grants can also target the homes themselves. Funds could be used for repairing or reconstructing existing manufactured homes, or even replacing older, unsafe units. There's a specific rule here: homes built before June 15, 1976, can't be rehabilitated with these grants; funds can only cover their removal and replacement with newer, compliant homes. While aiming for safety, this could pose challenges for residents in those older homes. The program also supports activities directly related to resident health, safety, and accessibility – think adding ramps or fixing hazards – plus services like help with relocation costs, eviction prevention, or even down payment assistance for residents aiming to own.
How the Funds Flow
When deciding who gets these grants, the government is directed to prioritize applications that demonstrably benefit low- and moderate-income residents and lock in affordability for the future. There's also a provision allowing specific funds to be set aside for projects within Indian Tribes or managed by tribally designated housing entities. To help projects move forward, the bill allows the overseeing Secretary to waive certain federal regulations, except for crucial ones covering fair housing, non-discrimination, labor standards, and environmental protection. The bill authorizes the necessary funding, setting the stage for these community investments if appropriations follow.