Green Neighborhoods Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.4155 | Sponsor: Rep. Perlmutter, Ed (D-CO)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Green Neighborhoods Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish incentives that encourage participants in HUD programs to increase energy efficiency in new and existing housing.

To encourage energy efficiency, conservation, and development of 
    renewable energy sources for housing, and to create sustainable 
                              communities.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Green 
Neighborhoods Act of 2021''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Implementation of energy efficiency participation incentives 
                            for HUD programs.
Sec. 3. Basic HUD energy efficiency standards and standards for 
                            additional credit.
Sec. 4. Enhanced energy appraisal.
Sec. 5. Energy-efficiency standards for manufactured housing.
Sec. 6. Making it green.
Sec. 7. Including sustainable development and transportation strategies 
                            in comprehensive housing affordability 
                            strategies.
Sec. 8. Grant program to increase sustainable low-income community 
                            development capacity.
Sec. 9. Benchmarking.
Sec. 10. Grants for registered apprenticeship programs in certain 
                            industries.
Sec. 11. Ensuring availability of homeowners insurance for homes not 
                            connected to electricity grid.
Sec. 12. Definitions.

SEC. 2. IMPLEMENTATION OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY PARTICIPATION INCENTIVES 
              FOR HUD PROGRAMS.

    (a) In General.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to establish annual 
energy efficiency participation incentives consistent with this Act to 
encourage participants in HUD assistance and lending programs to 
achieve substantial improvements in energy efficiency.
    (b) Determination.--The Secretary shall determine the level of 
participation incentives based on participants meeting the energy 
efficiency standards under section 3.
    (c) Requirement for Appropriation of Funds.--The requirement under 
subsection (a) for the Secretary to provide annual energy efficiency 
participation incentives pursuant to the provisions of this Act shall 
be subject to the annual appropriation of necessary funds.

SEC. 3. BASIC HUD ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARDS AND STANDARDS FOR 
              ADDITIONAL CREDIT.

    (a) Basic HUD Standard.--
            (1) Residential structures.--A residential single-family or 
        multifamily structure shall be considered to comply with the 
        energy efficiency standards under this subsection if--
                    (A) the structure complies with the applicable 
                provisions of the American Society of Heating, 
                Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Standard 
                90.1-2019, as such standard or successor standard is in 
                effect for purposes of this section pursuant to 
                subsection (c);
                    (B) the structure complies with the applicable 
                provisions of the 2018 International Energy 
                Conservation Code, as such standard or successor 
                standard is in effect for purposes of this section 
                pursuant to subsection (c);
                    (C) in the case only of an existing structure, 
                where determined cost effective, the structure has 
                undergone rehabilitation or improvements, completed 
                after the date of the enactment of this Act, and the 
                energy consumption for the structure has been reduced 
                by at least 20 percent from the previous level of 
                consumption, as determined in accordance with energy 
                audits performed both before and after any 
                rehabilitation or improvements undertaken to reduce 
                such consumption; or
                    (D) the structure complies with the applicable 
                provisions of such other energy efficiency standards as 
                the Secretary may adopt and apply by regulation, as may 
                be necessary, for purposes of this section for specific 
                types of residential single-family or multifamily 
                structures or otherwise, except that the Secretary 
                shall make a determination regarding whether to adopt 
                and apply any such standards for purposes of this 
                section not later than the expiration of the 180-day 
                period beginning upon the date of receipt of any 
                written request, made in such form as the Secretary 
                shall provide, for such adoption and application.
        In addition to compliance with any of subparagraphs (A) through 
        (D), the Secretary shall by regulation require, for any newly 
        constructed residential single-family or multifamily structure 
        to be considered to comply with the energy efficiency standards 
        under this subsection, that the structure have appropriate 
        electrical outlets with the facility and capacity to recharge a 
        standard electric passenger vehicle, including an electric 
        hybrid vehicle, where such vehicle would normally be parked.
            (2) Nonresidential structures.--For purposes of this 
        section, the Secretary may identify and adopt by regulation, as 
        may be necessary, energy efficiency standards applicable to 
        nonresidential structures that are constructed or rehabilitated 
        with HUD assistance and lending programs. A nonresidential 
        structure shall be considered to comply with the energy 
        efficiency standards under this subsection if the structure 
        complies with the applicable provisions of any such energy 
        efficiency standards identified and adopted by the Secretary 
        pursuant to this paragraph, as such standards are in effect for 
        purposes of this section pursuant to subsection (c).
            (3) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection may be construed to 
        require any structure to comply with any standard established 
        or adopted pursuant to this subsection, or identified in this 
        subsection, or to provide any benefit or credit under any 
        Federal program for any structure that complies with any such 
        standard, except to the extent that--
                    (A) any provision of law other than this subsection 
                provides a benefit or credit under a Federal program 
                for compliance with a standard established or adopted 
                pursuant to this subsection, or identified in this 
                subsection; or
                    (B) the Secretary specifically provides pursuant to 
                subsection (c) for the applicability of such standard.
    (b) Enhanced Energy Efficiency Standards for Purposes of Providing 
Additional Credit Under Certain Federally Assisted Housing Programs.--
            (1) Purpose and effect.--
                    (A) Purpose.--The purpose of this subsection is to 
                establish energy efficiency and conservation standards 
                and green building standards that--
                            (i) provide for greater energy efficiency 
                        and conservation in structures than is required 
                        for compliance with the energy efficiency 
                        standards under subsection (a) and then in 
                        effect;
                            (ii) provide for green and sustainable 
                        building standards not required by such 
                        standards; and
                            (iii) can be used in connection with 
                        Federal housing, housing finance, and 
                        development programs to provide incentives for 
                        greater energy efficiency and conservation and 
                        for green and sustainable building methods, 
                        elements, practices, and materials.
                    (B) Effect.--Nothing in this subsection may be 
                construed to require any structure to comply with any 
                standard established pursuant to this subsection or to 
                provide any benefit or credit under any Federal program 
                for any structure, except to the extent that any 
                provision of law other than this subsection provides a 
                benefit or credit under a Federal program for 
                compliance with a standard established pursuant to this 
                subsection.
            (2) Compliance.--A residential or nonresidential structure 
        shall be considered to comply with the enhanced energy 
        efficiency and conservation standards or the green building 
        standards under this subsection, to the extent that such 
        structure is verified by a third party as compliant with, or 
        certified to, the applicable provisions of the standards under 
        paragraph (3) or (4), respectively (as such standards are in 
        effect for purposes of this section, pursuant to paragraph 
        (7)), in a manner that is not required for compliance with the 
        energy efficiency standards under subsection (a) then in effect 
        and subject to the Secretary's determination of which standards 
        are applicable to which structures.
            (3) Energy efficiency and conservation standards.--The 
        energy efficiency and conservation standards under this 
        paragraph are as follows:
                    (A) Residential structures.--With respect to 
                residential structures:
                            (i) New construction.--For new 
                        construction, the Energy Star for Homes 
                        certification or Energy Star for Multifamily 
                        New Construction certification standards 
                        established by the Environmental Protection 
                        Agency, as such standards are in effect for 
                        purposes of this subsection pursuant to 
                        paragraph (7).
                            (ii) Existing structures.--For existing 
                        structures, a reduction in energy consumption 
                        from the previous level of consumption for the 
                        structure, as determined in accordance with 
                        energy audits performed both before and after 
                        any rehabilitation or improvements undertaken 
                        to reduce such consumption by at least 30 
                        percent or achievement of ENERGY STAR 
                        certification.
                    (B) Nonresidential structures.--With respect to 
                nonresidential structures, such energy efficiency 
                standards for nonresidential structures as the 
                Secretary may identify and adopt by regulation, as may 
                be necessary, for purposes of this paragraph.
            (4) Green building standards.--The green building standards 
        under this paragraph are the most recent adopted versions of 
        the following:
                    (A) The national Green Communities criteria 
                checklist for residential construction that provides 
                criteria for the design, development, and operation of 
                affordable housing, as such checklist or successor 
                checklist is in effect for purposes of this section 
                pursuant to paragraph (7).
                    (B) The LEED for New Construction rating system, 
                the LEED for Homes rating system, the LEED for Core and 
                Shell rating system, as applicable, as such systems or 
                successor systems are in effect for purposes of this 
                section pursuant to paragraph (7).
                    (C) The Green Globes assessment and rating system 
                of the Green Buildings Initiative.
                    (D) For manufactured housing, energy star rating 
                with respect to fixtures, appliances, and equipment in 
                such housing, as such standard or successor standard is 
                in effect for purposes of this section pursuant to 
                paragraph (7).
                    (E) The National Green Building Standard.
                    (F) Any other proven standards for green building 
                or sustainability as the Secretary may identify and 
                adopt by regulation, as may be necessary for purposes 
                of this paragraph, except that the Secretary shall make 
                a determination regarding whether to adopt and apply 
                any such standards for purposes of this section not 
                later than the expiration of the 180-day period 
                beginning upon date of receipt of any written request, 
                made in such form as the Secretary shall provide, for 
                such adoption and application.
            (5) Green building.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
        term ``green building'' means, with respect to standards for 
        structures, standards to require use of sustainable design 
        principles to reduce the use of nonrenewable resources, 
        minimize the impact of development on the environment, and to 
        improve indoor air quality.
            (6) Energy audits.--The Secretary shall establish standards 
        and requirements for energy audits for purposes of paragraph 
        (3)(A)(ii).
            (7) Applicability and updating of standards.--
                    (A) Applicability.--Except as provided in 
                subparagraph (B), the standards referred to in this 
                subsection that are in effect for purposes of this 
                subsection are such standards as are in existence upon 
                the date of the enactment of this Act.
                    (B) Updating.--For purposes of this section, the 
                Secretary may adopt and apply by regulation, as may be 
                necessary, future amendments and supplements to, and 
                editions of, the standards referred to in this 
                subsection.
    (c) Authority of Secretary To Apply Standards to Federally Assisted 
Structures and Programs.--
            (1) HUD housing and programs.--The Secretary of Housing and 
        Urban Development may, by regulation, provide for the 
        applicability of the energy efficiency standards under 
        subsection (a) or the enhanced energy efficiency and 
        conservation standards and green building standards under 
        subsection (b), or both, with respect to any covered federally 
        assisted structure described in paragraph (3)(A) or any HUD 
        assistance and lending programs.
            (2) Rural housing.--The Secretary of Agriculture may, by 
        regulation, provide for the applicability of the energy 
        efficiency standards under subsection (a) or the enhanced 
        energy efficiency and conservation standards and green building 
        standards under subsection (b), or both, with respect to any 
        covered federally assisted structure described in paragraph 
        (3)(B) or any assistance provided with respect to rural housing 
        by the Rural Housing Service of the Department of Agriculture.
            (3) Covered federally assisted structure.--For purposes of 
        this subsection, the term ``covered federally assisted 
        structure'' means--
                    (A) any residential or nonresidential structure 
                participating in a HUD assistance or lending program; 
                and
                    (B) any new construction of single-family housing 
                (other than manufactured homes) subject to mortgages 
                insured, guaranteed, or made by the Secretary of 
                Agriculture under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 
                (42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.).

SEC. 4. ENHANCED ENERGY APPRAISAL.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Advisory group.--The term ``advisory group'' means the 
        advisory group established under subsection (f)(2).
            (2) Covered agency.--The term ``covered agency'' means--
                    (A) the Federal Housing Administration;
                    (B) includes each enterprise, as defined in section 
                1303 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial 
                Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 4502); and
                    (C) includes the Government National Mortgage 
                Association.
            (3) Covered loan.--The term ``covered loan'' means a loan 
        secured by a home that is issued, insured, purchased, or 
        securitized by a covered agency.
            (4) Energy report.--The term ``energy report'' means an 
        energy report that meets the requirements under subsection 
        (c)(3)(B).
            (5) Hers.--The term ``HERS'' means the Home Energy Rating 
        System of the Residential Energy Service Network.
            (6) Homeowner.--The term ``homeowner'' means the mortgagor 
        under a covered loan.
            (7) Mortgagee.--The term ``mortgagee'' means a creditor as 
        defined in section 103 of the Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 
        1602).
            (8) Qualified appraiser.--The term ``qualified appraiser'' 
        means an appraiser with the requisite knowledge of energy 
        efficiency to perform a professional quality appraisal, as 
        evidenced by professional certification or development programs 
        on the valuation of sustainable properties of at least 14 hours 
        in length approved by the Secretary.
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Housing and Urban Development.
    (b) Findings and Purposes.--
            (1) Findings.--Congress finds that--
                    (A) energy costs for homeowners are a significant 
                and increasing portion of their household budgets;
                    (B) household energy use can vary substantially 
                depending on the efficiency and renewable energy 
                generation characteristics of a house;
                    (C) expected energy cost savings resulting from 
                efficiency measures and/or the generation of energy 
                from solar panels and/or other renewables are in many 
                cases important to the value of a house; and
                    (D) the ``loan-to-value'' ratio test for 
                originations of covered loans is tied to the appraisal 
                or other valuation of a property of a house, which 
                often does not adjust for the energy efficiency or 
                renewable energy generation features of a house.
            (2) Purpose.--The purpose of this section is to--
                    (A) improve the credibility and reliability of 
                appraisals of houses subject to covered loans by 
                ensuring that the energy efficient and renewable energy 
                generation features and energy costs of those houses 
                are included in the appraisal analysis, which would 
                place value on energy efficient and renewable energy 
                features of a house and facilitate the creation of 
                energy efficiency retrofit, renewable installation, and 
                construction jobs; and
                    (B) require the Secretary to--
                            (i) develop consistent enhanced energy 
                        appraisal protocols that recognize all 
                        applicable approaches to the value of a house, 
                        including the cost and income approaches to 
                        value, in analyzing energy efficiency and 
                        renewable energy features;
                            (ii) ensure that the guidelines described 
                        in clause (i) prevent the double counting of 
                        energy cost savings in the valuation of a 
                        house;
                            (iii) support safe and sound lending; and
                            (iv) protect consumers.
    (c) Enhanced Energy Appraisal Criteria.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Bureau of Consumer 
        Financial Protection and the advisory group, shall develop and 
        issue guidelines for a covered agency to implement enhanced 
        energy appraisal protocols for properties that are subject to a 
        covered loan.
            (2) Requirements to account for energy cost savings.--
                    (A) In general.--The enhanced energy appraisal 
                protocols under paragraph (1) shall require that, for 
                each property with a covered loan for which the 
                homeowner has voluntarily opted for an energy report, 
                the appraiser shall take into consideration the energy 
                efficiency and renewable energy features of a house and 
                resulting estimated energy cost savings and energy 
                generation expected for the owner of the subject 
                property as part of the appraisal process.
                    (B) Assessed energy costs.--The estimated energy 
                costs to be taken into consideration under subparagraph 
                (A) shall include the cost of electricity, natural gas, 
                oil, and any other fuel regularly used to supply energy 
                to the subject property.
            (3) Determination of estimated energy cost savings.--
                    (A) In general.--The guidelines issued under 
                paragraph (1) shall include instructions for an 
                appraiser to calculate estimated energy cost savings 
                for a property using--
                            (i) an energy report documenting the energy 
                        efficiency and renewable energy features of the 
                        property;
                            (ii) an estimate of baseline average energy 
                        costs for the property; and
                            (iii) additional sources of information 
                        determined by the Secretary.
                    (B) Report requirements.--For purposes of 
                subparagraph (A), an energy report shall--
                            (i) estimate the expected energy cost 
                        savings specific to the subject property, based 
                        on specific information about the property;
                            (ii) estimate the expected energy generated 
                        from installed renewable energy features;
                            (iii) be prepared in accordance with the 
                        guidelines issued under paragraph (1); and
                            (iv) be prepared--
                                    (I) in accordance with HERS by an 
                                individual certified by the Residential 
                                Energy Service Network, unless the 
                                Secretary finds that the use of HERS 
                                does not further the purposes of this 
                                section;
                                    (II) by the Department of Energy's 
                                Home Energy Score; or
                                    (III) by other methods approved by 
                                the Secretary, in consultation with the 
                                Secretary of Energy and the advisory 
                                group, for use under this section, 
                                which shall include a quality assurance 
                                procedure approved by the Secretary, in 
                                consultation with the Secretary of 
                                Energy.
                    (C) Use by appraiser.--If an energy report is used 
                under paragraph (2), the energy report shall be 
                provided to the appraiser--
                            (i) to estimate the energy efficiency of 
                        the subject property including the estimated 
                        annual savings;
                            (ii) to estimate the energy generated by 
                        renewables; and considered in developing 
                        opinions and conclusions about any value 
                        contribution for energy efficiency and 
                        renewable energy generation.
            (4) Required disclosure to consumer for a home with an 
        energy report.--If an energy report is used for an appraisal of 
        a property under paragraph (2), the guidelines issued under 
        paragraph (1) shall require the mortgagee of the property to--
                    (A) inform the homeowner and loan applicant of the 
                expected energy cost savings estimated in the energy 
                report and any associated appraisal adjustment, in a 
                manner and at a time as prescribed by the Secretary, 
                and, if practicable, in the documents delivered at the 
                time of the transfer of title; and
                    (B) include a copy of the energy report in the 
                appraisal report provided to the homeowner and loan 
                applicant.
            (5) Required disclosure to consumer for a home without an 
        energy report.--If an energy report is not used under paragraph 
        (2), the guidelines to be issued under paragraph (1) shall 
        require the mortgagee to inform the loan applicant as part of 
        the Closing Disclosure--
                    (A) typical energy cost savings that would be 
                possible from a cost-effective energy upgrade of a home 
                of the size and in the region of the subject property;
                    (B) the impact the typical energy cost savings 
                would have on monthly ownership costs of a typical 
                home;
                    (C) the impact on the size of a mortgage that could 
                be obtained if the typical energy cost savings were 
                reflected in an energy efficiency report; and
                    (D) resources for improving the energy efficiency 
                of a home.
            (6) Applicability and implementation date.--Not later than 
        the earlier of two years after the date of enactment of this 
        Act and December 31, 2023, the enhanced energy appraisal 
        requirements required under this subsection shall be 
        implemented by each covered agency to--
                    (A) apply to an appraisal for any covered loan for 
                the sale, or refinancing of any loan for the sale, of 
                any home;
                    (B) be available on any residential real property 
                (including individual units of condominiums and 
                cooperatives) that qualifies for a covered loan; and
                    (C) provide prospective appraisers with sufficient 
                guidance and applicable tools to implement the required 
                appraisal methods.
    (d) Enhanced Energy Appraisal Protocols.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
                    (A) in consultation with the advisory group, 
                develop and issue guidelines for enhanced energy 
                appraisal protocols for all covered loans made on 
                properties with an energy report;
                    (B) develop lender collateral valuation guidelines 
                on the use of all applicable approaches to value used 
                by appraisers in accordance with the Uniform Standards 
                of Professional Appraisal Practice to analyze market 
                reaction to energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                installation, including methods and techniques, which 
                shall include the cost and income approaches to value; 
                and
                    (C) in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, 
                issue guidelines for--
                            (i) a covered agency to determine the 
                        estimated energy savings and energy generation 
                        under paragraph (3) for properties with an 
                        energy report; and
                            (ii) a qualified appraiser to use an energy 
                        report to estimate the energy efficiency 
                        rating, sales, and listing data to establish 
                        market reaction to energy efficiency.
            (2) Requirements.--The enhanced energy appraisal protocols 
        required under paragraph (1)(A) shall--
                    (A) include a requirement that if a homeowner 
                voluntarily opts for an energy report to be used in 
                valuing the home, then using methods to be established 
                under the guidelines issued under paragraph (1)--
                            (i) such report may be used by a qualified 
                        appraiser to determine the estimated energy 
                        savings of the subject property in comparison 
                        to a baseline;
                            (ii) the value of estimated energy savings 
                        and energy generation of the subject property 
                        shall be added to the appraised value of the 
                        subject property, unless the appraisal includes 
                        the value of the overall energy efficiency and 
                        renewable energy generation of the subject 
                        property; and
                    (B) the cost and income approaches to value be 
                recognized as reasonable and appropriate approaches to 
                valuing the energy efficiency and renewable energy 
                features of a home; and
                    (C) prohibit restrictions of all applicable 
                approaches to value an energy efficient home.
            (3) Determination of estimated energy savings and 
        generation.--
                    (A) Amount of energy savings.--For the purpose of 
                paragraph (2), the amount of estimated energy savings 
                of a subject property shall be determined by 
                calculating the difference between the estimated energy 
                costs from the energy report for the subject property 
                compared to the energy costs of comparable houses, as 
                determined in the guidelines issued under paragraph (1)
                    (B) Amount of energy generation.--For the purpose 
                of paragraph (2), the amount of estimated energy 
                generation of a subject property shall be determined by 
                calculating the amount of energy generated by the 
                home's energy-generating features over their useful 
                lifetime.
                    (C) Duration of energy savings and generation.--For 
                the purpose of paragraph (2), the duration of the 
                estimated energy savings and generation of a subject 
                property shall be based on the useful life of 
                applicable equipment, consistent with the rating system 
                used to produce the energy report.
                    (D) Present value of energy savings and 
                generation.--For the purpose of paragraph (2), the 
                present value of the estimated future energy savings 
                and/or generation of a subject property shall be 
                calculated using the average interest rate of 
                conventional 30 year mortgages unless the qualified 
                appraiser chooses to use the appropriate discount rate 
                for the market area, in the manner directed by 
                guidelines issued under paragraph (1).
            (5) Transactions requiring state certified and competent 
        appraisers.--Section 1113 of the Financial Institutions Reform, 
        Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989 (12 U.S.C. 3342) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting before the 
                semicolon the following: ``, or any real property on 
                which the appraiser makes adjustments using an energy 
                report''; and
                    (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting after 
                ``atypical'' the following: ``, or an appraisal on 
                which the appraiser makes adjustments using an energy 
                report.''.
            (7) Protections.--The guidelines issued under paragraph (1) 
        shall include such limitations and conditions as determined by 
        the Secretary to be necessary to protect against meaningful 
        under or over valuation of energy cost savings or duplicative 
        counting of energy efficiency and renewable energy features or 
        energy cost savings and generation in the valuation of any 
        subject property that is used to determine a loan amount.
            (8) Applicability and implementation date.--Not later than 
        the earlier of 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act 
        and December 31, 2023, each covered agency shall implement the 
        guidelines required under this subsection, which shall--
                    (A) apply to the appraisal of a property that is 
                subject to any covered loan for the sale, or 
                refinancing of any loan for the sale, of any home; and
                    (B) be available on any residential real property, 
                including individual units of condominiums and 
                cooperatives, that qualifies for a covered loan.
    (e) Monitoring.--Not later than 1 year after the date on which the 
enhanced appraisal protocols are implemented under this section, and 
annually thereafter, each covered agency that issues a covered loan 
shall issue and make available to the public a report that--
            (1) enumerates the number of covered loans issued by the 
        agency during the previous year for which there was an energy 
        report and that used energy appraisal protocols established 
        under this section;
            (2) includes the default rates and rates of foreclosures 
        for loans (including a breakdown of default and foreclosure 
        rates by geographic region, race, and self-identified gender) 
        made using the energy appraisal protocols established under 
        this section; and
            (3) describes the risk premium, if any, that the agency has 
        priced into covered loans for which there was an appraisal that 
        included an energy report.
    (f) Rulemaking.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Energy and the advisory group, shall prescribe 
        regulations to carry out this section, which may contain such 
        classifications, differentiations, or other provisions, and may 
        provide for such proper implementation and appropriate 
        treatment of different types of transactions, as the Secretary 
        determines are necessary or proper to effectuate the purposes 
        of this section, to prevent circumvention or evasion thereof, 
        or to facilitate compliance therewith.
            (2) Advisory group.--To assist in carrying out this 
        section, the Secretary shall establish an advisory group, 
        consisting of professional associations and individuals 
        representing the interests of--
                    (A) mortgage lenders;
                    (B) appraisers;
                    (C) energy raters, residential energy consumption 
                experts, and residential retrofit experts;
                    (D) energy efficiency organizations;
                    (E) real estate agents;
                    (F) home builders and remodelers;
                    (G) State energy officials;
                    (H) low-income communities;
                    (I) consumers; and
                    (J) other individuals determined by the Secretary.
    (g) Evaluation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the 
        advisory group, shall reevaluate the effectiveness of the 
        energy appraisal protocols established under this section to 
        ensure that the cost savings of energy efficient and renewable 
        energy features are properly valued in residential real estate 
        appraisals.
            (2) Recommendations.--
                    (A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after the 
                date of enactment of this Act, the advisory group shall 
                provide recommendations to the Secretary on any 
                revisions or additions to the enhanced energy appraisal 
                protocols and guidelines established under subsections 
                (c) and (d) determined necessary by the group, which 
                may include alternate methods to better account for 
                home energy costs and additional factors to account for 
                substantial and regular costs of homeownership, such as 
                water costs, the storage of energy through batteries, 
                indoor air quality, and transportation costs stemming 
                from the home's location.
                    (B) Legislative recommendations.--The Secretary 
                shall forward any legislative recommendations received 
                from the advisory group under subparagraph (A) to 
                Congress for consideration.

SEC. 5. ENERGY-EFFICIENCY STANDARDS FOR MANUFACTURED HOUSING.

    Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy 
and upon review of the recommendations made by the Manufactured Housing 
Consensus Committee, update the Manufactured Home Construction and 
Safety Standards to encourage energy efficiency while maintaining 
affordability for manufactured housing.

SEC. 6. MAKING IT GREEN.

    (a) Partnerships With Tree-Planting Organizations.--The Secretary 
shall establish and provide incentives for developers of housing for 
which any HUD financial assistance, as determined by the Secretary, is 
provided for development, maintenance, operation, or other costs, to 
enter into agreements and partnerships with tree-planting 
organizations, nurseries, and landscapers to certify that trees, 
shrubs, grasses, and other plants are planted in the proper manner, are 
provided adequate maintenance, and survive for at least 3 years after 
planting or are replaced. The financial assistance determined by the 
Secretary as eligible under this section shall take into consideration 
such factors as cost effectiveness and affordability.
    (b) Making It Green Plan.--In the case of any new or substantially 
rehabilitated housing for which HUD financial assistance, as determined 
in accordance with subsection (a), is provided by the Secretary for the 
development, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, reconstruction, 
improvement, operation, or costs of the housing, including financial 
assistance provided through the Community Development Block Grant 
program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 
1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.), the Secretary shall require the 
development of a plan that provides for--
            (1) in the case of new construction and improvements, 
        siting of such housing and improvements in a manner that 
        provides for energy efficiency and conservation to the extent 
        feasible, taking into consideration location and project type;
            (2) minimization of the effects of construction, 
        rehabilitation, or other development on the condition of 
        existing trees;
            (3) selection and installation of indigenous trees, shrubs, 
        grasses, and other plants based upon applicable design 
        guidelines and standards of the International Society for 
        Arboriculture;
            (4) post-planting care and maintenance of the landscaping 
        relating to or affected by the housing in accordance with best 
        management practices; and
            (5) establishment of a goal for minimum greenspace or tree 
        canopy cover for the housing site for which such financial 
        assistance is provided, including guidelines and timetables 
        within which to achieve compliance with such minimum 
        requirements.
    (c) Partnerships.--In carrying out this section, the Secretary is 
encouraged to consult, as appropriate, with national organizations 
dedicated to providing housing assistance and related services to low-
income families, such as the Alliance for Community Trees and its 
affiliates, the American Nursery and Landscape Association, the 
American Society of Landscape Architects, and the National Arbor Day 
Foundation.

SEC. 7. INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSPORTATION STRATEGIES 
              IN COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY STRATEGIES.

    Section 105(b) of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing 
Act (42 U.S.C. 12705(b)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``and'' at the end of paragraph (19);
            (2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (20) and 
        inserting ``; and'';
            (3) and by inserting after paragraph (20) the following new 
        paragraphs:
            ``(21) describe the jurisdiction's strategies to encourage 
        sustainable development for affordable housing, including 
        single-family and multifamily housing, as measured by--
                    ``(A) greater energy efficiency and use of 
                renewable energy sources, including any strategies 
                regarding compliance with the energy efficiency 
                standards under section 3(a) of the Green Neighborhoods 
                Act of 2020 and with the enhanced energy efficiency and 
                conservation standards, and the green building 
                standards, under section 3(b) of such Act;
                    ``(B) increased conservation, recycling, and reuse 
                of resources;
                    ``(C) more effective use of existing 
                infrastructure;
                    ``(D) use of building materials and methods that 
                are healthier for residents of the housing, including 
                use of building materials that are free of added known 
                carcinogens that are classified as Group 1 Known 
                Carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on 
                Cancer; and
                    ``(E) such other criteria as the Secretary 
                determines, in consultation with the Secretary of 
                Energy, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the 
                Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, 
                are in accordance with the purposes of this paragraph; 
                and
            ``(22) describe the jurisdiction's efforts to coordinate 
        its housing strategy with its transportation planning 
        strategies to ensure to the extent practicable that residents 
        of affordable housing have access to public transportation.''.

SEC. 8. GRANT PROGRAM TO INCREASE SUSTAINABLE LOW-INCOME COMMUNITY 
              DEVELOPMENT CAPACITY.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to nonprofit 
organizations to use for any of the following purposes:
            (1) Training, educating, supporting, or advising an 
        eligible community development organization or qualified youth 
        service and conservation corps in improving energy efficiency, 
        resource conservation and reuse, design strategies to maximize 
        energy efficiency, installing or constructing renewable energy 
        improvements (such as wind, wave, solar, biomass, and 
        geothermal energy sources), and effective use of existing 
        infrastructure in affordable housing and economic development 
        activities in low-income communities, taking into consideration 
        energy efficiency standards under section 3(a) of this Act and 
        with the enhanced energy efficiency and conservation standards, 
        and the green building standards, under section 3(b) of this 
        Act.
            (2) Providing loans, grants, or predevelopment assistance 
        to eligible community development organizations or qualified 
        youth service and conservation corps to carry out energy 
        efficiency improvements that comply with the energy efficiency 
        standards under section 3(a) of this Act, resource conservation 
        and reuse, and effective use of existing infrastructure in 
        affordable housing and economic development activities in low-
        income communities. In providing assistance under this 
        paragraph, the Secretary shall give more preference to 
        activities based on the extent to which the activities will 
        result in compliance with the enhanced energy efficiency and 
        conservation standards, and the green building standards, under 
        section 3(b) of this Act.
            (3) Such other purposes as the Secretary determines are in 
        accordance with the purposes of this subsection.
    (b) Application Requirement.--To be eligible for a grant under this 
section, a nonprofit organization shall prepare and submit to the 
Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing 
such information as the Secretary may require.
    (c) Award of Contracts.--Contracts for architectural or engineering 
services funded with amounts from grants made under this section shall 
be awarded in accordance with chapter 11 of title 40, United States 
Code (relating to selection of architects and engineers).
    (d) Matching Requirement.--A grant made under this section may not 
exceed the amount that the nonprofit organization receiving the grant 
certifies, to the Secretary, will be provided (in cash or in-kind) from 
nongovernmental sources to carry out the purposes for which the grant 
is made.
    (e) Environmental Review.--For purposes of environmental review, 
pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 
4321 et seq.) and other provisions of law that further the purposes of 
such Act, a grant under this section shall be considered to be funds 
for a special project for purposes of section 305(c) of the Multifamily 
Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994 (42 U.S.C. 3547(c)).
    (f) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions shall apply:
            (1) Nonprofit organization.--The term ``nonprofit 
        organization'' has the meaning given such term in section 104 
        of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 
        U.S.C. 12704).
            (2) Eligible community development organization.--The term 
        ``eligible community development organization'' means--
                    (A) a unit of general local government (as defined 
                in section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
                Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704));
                    (B) a community housing development organization 
                (as defined in section 104 of the Cranston-Gonzalez 
                National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12704));
                    (C) an Indian tribe or tribally designated housing 
                entity (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the 
                Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
                Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)); or
                    (D) a public housing agency, as such term is 
                defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing 
                Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437(b)).
            (3) Low-income community.--The term ``low-income 
        community'' means a census tract in which 50 percent or more of 
        the households have an income which is less than 80 percent of 
        the greater of--
                    (A) the median gross income for such year for the 
                area in which such census tract is located; or
                    (B) the median gross income for such year for the 
                State in which such census tract is located.
    (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $20,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2021 through 2025.

SEC. 9. BENCHMARKING.

    (a) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, the following 
definitions shall apply:
            (1) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Housing and Urban Development.
            (2) HUD-assisted property.--The term ``HUD-assisted 
        property'' means a property assisted by any of the following 
        programs:
                    (A) The program under section 202 of the Housing 
                Act of 1959 (12 U.S.C. 1701q) for supportive housing 
                for the elderly.
                    (B) The program under section 811 of the Cranston-
                Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 
                8013) for supportive housing for persons with 
                disabilities.
                    (C) Any program under section 8 of the United 
                States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) for rental 
                assistance for low-income families.
                    (D) Any program for mortgage insurance for single-
                family housing under title II of the National Housing 
                Act (12 U.S.C. 1707 et seq.).
                    (E) The programs under sections 220, 221(d)(4), 
                223(a)(7), 223(f), 232, and 241(a) of the National 
                Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715k, 1715l(d)(4), 1715n(a)(7), 
                1715n(f), 1715w, 1715z-6(a)).
                    (F) The programs under subsections (b) and (c) of 
                section 542 of the Housing and Community Development 
                Act of 1992 (12 U.S.C. 1707 note).
            (3) Benchmarked hud-assisted property.--The term 
        ``benchmarked HUD-assisted property'' means a HUD-assisted 
        property with respect to which energy and water benchmarking 
        data is required by a State or local authority to be reported 
        through the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
            (4) Climate zone.--The term ``Climate Zone'' means a region 
        of the United States as defined by the Environmental Protection 
        Agency under the ENERGY STAR program or the Office of Energy 
        Efficiency and Renewable Energy of the Department of Energy.
    (b) Benchmarking Report.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than the expiration of the 1-
        year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, 
        the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Financial 
        Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
        Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, a report 
        that includes--
                    (A) an assessment of the current state of energy 
                and water use benchmarking in the multifamily property 
                sector;
                    (B) data identifying the number and square footage 
                of multifamily properties that are required by State or 
                local authorities to report benchmarking data, the 
                proportion that are HUD-assisted properties, and the 
                proportion of all HUD-assisted properties that are 
                subject to such requirements;
                    (C) data identifying multifamily properties that 
                participate in each building standard in the HUD Green 
                Mortgage Insurance Premium program, including the 
                number and square footage of participating properties 
                and the proportion of eligible properties 
                participating;
                    (D) data identifying multifamily properties that 
                participate in the HUD Better Buildings Challenge, 
                including the number and square footage of 
                participating properties;
                    (E) estimates of the extent of HUD-assisted 
                properties that are not conducting energy and water 
                benchmarking;
                    (F) estimates of potential energy and Federal cost 
                savings if various levels of efficiency were 
                implemented in HUD-assisted properties;
                    (G) information identifying the typical costs of 
                multifamily benchmarking and resources available to 
                support multifamily owners and operators in 
                benchmarking; and
                    (H) information relevant to the impact of 
                multifamily benchmarking, including published research 
                studies.
            (2) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make the 
        report publicly available on the website of HUD.
    (c) Provision of Existing Benchmarking Data.--
            (1) Policies.--Not later than the expiration of the 6-month 
        period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
        Secretary shall issue such regulations as may be necessary to 
        ensure that owners of benchmarked HUD-assisted properties 
        provide to the Secretary-selected ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager 
        data for the property. In developing such regulations, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    (A) provide for data to be released in a manner 
                that protects information that identifies particular 
                properties, but retains essential geographical and 
                building characteristics to enable aggregate analysis;
                    (B) require data sharing not less often than every 
                three years;
                    (C) identifies the minimum data to be shared; and
                    (D) develop mechanisms to streamline data requests 
                and sharing in collaboration with the Environmental 
                Protection Agency ENERGY STAR program.
            (2) Analysis.--Not later than the expiration of the 2-year 
        period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act and 
        annually thereafter, the Secretary shall conduct an analysis of 
        the data received under this subsection and shall make the 
        findings publicly available on the website of HUD.
    (d) Energy Use Targets by Climate Zone.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the enactment 
        of this Act, the Secretary, , in consultation with the 
        Secretary of Energy, shall--
                    (A) compile energy consumption and bill data from 
                multifamily properties that is provided to HUD in 
                connection with utility allowance determination and 
                capital needs assessment activities;
                    (B) analyze the data in order to better understand 
                energy consumption patterns and trends throughout the 
                portfolio of properties represented, including relevant 
                subcategory types of multifamily properties;
                    (C) using the data from subparagraphs (A) and (B), 
                develop energy intensity statistics for each climate 
                zone and multifamily subcategory; and
                    (D) using the data from subparagraphs (A) and (B), 
                develop energy intensity targets for each climate zone 
                and multifamily subcategory reflecting energy 
                efficiency performance of at least 25 percent below the 
                baseline and related to ENERGY STAR performance scores 
                for each respective climate zone and multifamily 
                subcategory.
            (2) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make the 
        analysis and energy intensity targets publicly available on the 
        website of HUD.
    (e) Multifamily Utility Benchmarking Toolkit.--The Secretary shall 
maintain and update, from time to time, the Multifamily Utility 
Benchmarking Toolkit.
    (f) Stakeholder Engagement.--In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall--
            (1) engage with stakeholders regarding multifamily 
        sustainability, including providing education and opportunities 
        for robust stakeholder input; and
            (2) conduct targeted outreach to representatives of public 
        housing agencies, housing and tenant advocates, multifamily 
        property owners and managers, energy efficiency organizations, 
        architects, State and local governments, multifamily finance 
        entities, and other interested groups.

SEC. 10. GRANTS FOR REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN CERTAIN 
              INDUSTRIES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Labor shall provide grants to 
registered apprenticeship programs or pre-apprenticeship programs to 
expand apprenticeship programs in the following industries:
            (1) Energy-efficient building, construction, and retrofit 
        industries.
            (2) Deconstruction and materials use industries.
            (3) Energy efficiency assessment industry serving 
        residential, commercial, or industrial sectors.
            (4) Manufacturers that produce sustainable processes and 
        materials.
            (5) Building maintenance and management.
            (6) Benchmarking greenhouse gas emissions from buildings.
            (7) Ground source heating retrofits.
            (8) Air source heat pump installation and maintenance.
            (9) Carbon capture and conveyance to processing facilities.
    (b) Priority for Targeted Communities.--In providing grants under 
the program established under subsection (a), the Secretary of Labor 
shall give priority to eligible entities that recruit employees--
            (1) from the communities it serves; and
            (2) who are minorities, women, individuals who are or were 
        foster children, individuals who are transitioning from fossil 
        energy sector jobs, or veterans.
    (c) Authorization.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 
out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2021 through 
2025.
    (d) GAO Study.--No later than 1 year after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress 
a report detailing the barriers the residential energy efficiency 
sector experiences in workforce training and access to skilled workers. 
The study shall address each of the following:
            (1) The financial barriers the residential energy 
        efficiency sector faces in training new employees.
            (2) The financial barriers the residential energy 
        efficiency sector faces in investing in existing employees to 
        advance their skills.
            (3) An assessment of the available local, State, and 
        Federal investments in residential energy efficiency workforce 
        training programs, including partnerships with Registered 
        Apprenticeship Programs and any regional differences.
            (4) An assessment of any gaps between available local, 
        State, and Federal investments in residential energy efficiency 
        workforce training and the demand from small residential energy 
        efficiency businesses.
            (5) Recommendations for how to improve Federal programs to 
        support skilled workers in the residential energy efficiency 
        sector.

SEC. 11. ENSURING AVAILABILITY OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE FOR HOMES NOT 
              CONNECTED TO ELECTRICITY GRID.

    (a) Congressional Intent.--The Congress intends that--
            (1) consumers shall not be denied homeowners insurance for 
        a dwelling (as such term is defined in subsection (c)) based 
        solely on the fact that the dwelling is not connected to or 
        able to receive electricity service from any wholesale or 
        retail electric power provider;
            (2) States should ensure that consumers are able to obtain 
        homeowners insurance for such dwellings;
            (3) States should support insurers that develop voluntary 
        incentives to provide such insurance; and
            (4) States may not prohibit insurers from offering a 
        homeowners insurance product specifically designed for such 
        dwellings.
    (b) Insuring Homes and Related Property in Indian Areas.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, dwellings located in Indian 
areas (as such term is defined in section 4 of the Native American 
Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)) 
and constructed or maintained using assistance, loan guarantees, or 
other authority under the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-
Determination Act of 1996 may be insured by any tribally owned self-
insurance risk pool approved by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Development.
    (c) Dwelling Defined.--For purposes of this section, the term 
``dwelling'' means a residential structure that--
            (1) consists of one to four dwelling units;
            (2) is provided electricity from renewable energy sources; 
        and
            (3) is not connected to any wholesale or retail electrical 
        power grid.

SEC. 12. DEFINITIONS.

    For purposes of this Act, the following definitions shall apply:
            (1) Green building standards.--The term ``green building 
        standards'' means standards to require use of sustainable 
        design principles to reduce the use of nonrenewable resources, 
        encourage energy-efficient construction and rehabilitation and 
        the use of renewable energy resources, minimize the impact of 
        development on the environment, and improve indoor air quality.
            (2) HUD.--The term ``HUD'' means the Department of Housing 
        and Urban Development.
            (3) HUD assistance or lending program.--The term ``HUD 
        assistance or lending program'' means a program of the 
        Department of Housing and Urban Development for financial 
        assistance that is awarded, competitively or noncompetitively, 
        allocated by formula, or provided by HUD through loan insurance 
        or guarantee.
            (4) Nonresidential structure.--The term ``nonresidential 
        structures'' means only nonresidential structures that are 
        appurtenant to single-family or multifamily housing residential 
        structures, or those that are funded by the Secretary of 
        Housing and Urban Development through the HUD Community 
        Development Block Grant program.
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'', unless otherwise 
        specified, means the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
        Development.
                                 <all>