Public Housing Solar Equity Act of 2020

To require sales and leases of assets of public housing projects in connection with solar energy projects to financially benefit the residents of such public housing project and the budget of the public housing agency that owns such public housing project, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Public Housing Solar Equity Act of 2020 2. Public housing agency sales or leases of PHA assets in connection with solar energy projects (a) In general Section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437g (p) Sale or lease of assets If a public housing agency sells or leases any asset (including roof space or parking) of a public housing project owned by such public housing agency in connection with a solar energy project, such public housing agency shall— (1) ensure that such sale or lease financially benefits, as determined by a cost-benefit analysis that is conducted using generally accepted accounting standards and is made publicly available— (A) the residents of such public housing project; and (B) the budget of the public housing agency; (2) if the buyer or lessee of such asset intends to derive a product or services from such asset, require the buyer or lessee of such asset to first offer such product or service derived from such asset to the residents of the public housing project, and provide the product or services to those residents who accept the offer before offering the product or service to non-residents; (3) make available publicly, not later than 30 days before such sale or lease, information sufficient to demonstrate compliance with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection; and (4) not later than 1 year after the sale or lease, submit to the Secretary a report that describes how the sale or lease complies with this subsection. . (b) PHA annual plan Section 5A(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437c–1(d) (1) by redesignating paragraph (19) as paragraph (20); and (2) by inserting after paragraph (18) the following: (19) Sale or lease of assets With regard to any assets of any public housing project owned by the public housing agency that the public housing agency intends to sell or lease in connection with a solar energy project in the upcoming year— (A) a description of the asset; (B) a description of the proposed terms of the sale or lease, if possible; and (C) a description of how the lease or sale will comply with section 9(p), including how such sale or lease financially benefits, as determined by a cost-benefit analysis that is conducted using generally accepted accounting standards, the residents of the public housing project and the budget of the public housing agency. . (c) Rule of construction This section and the amendments made by this section may not be construed to authorize or encourage the sale or lease of any public housing asset.

Summary: Public Housing Solar Equity Act of 2020 This bill requires public housing agencies (PHAs) to take certain actions when selling or leasing assets in connection with a solar energy project. Specifically, a PHA must ensure that such a sale or lease financially benefits the residents of the public housing project as well as the budget of the PHA. Further, if a buyer or lessee intends to derive a product or service from the asset, the PHA must require that the product or service be offered and provided to residents of the public housing project before being offered and provided to nonresidents. Additionally, a PHA must include certain information regarding assets it intends to sell or lease in the upcoming year in its annual plan.