Supplemental Housing Authorization Act
PL 95-24 (H.R.3843), enacted 04/30/1977

PUBLIC LAW 95-24—APR. 30, 1977 
91 STAT. 55 
Public Law 95-24 
95th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize additional funds for housing assistance for lower income Americans 
in fiscal year 1977, to extend the P^ederal riot reinsurance and crime insurance 
programs, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may 
be cited as the "Supplemental Housing Authorization Act of 1977". 
TITLE I—SUPPLEMEXTAL AUTHOKIZATIONS AND 
EXTENSIONS OF HUD PROGRAMS 
Apr. 30, 1977 
[H.R. 3843] 
Supplemental 
Housing 
Authorization Act 
of 1977. 
12 use 1701 
note. 
42 use 1437f. 
AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES HOUSING ACT 
OF 1937 
SEC. 101. (a) The first sentence of section 5(c) of the United States 42 USC 1437c. 
Housing Act of 1937 is amended by striking out "and by $850,000,000 
on October 1, 1976" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"and by 
$1,228,050,000 on October 1,1976". 
(b) Section 9(c) of such Act is amended by striking out "and not 42 USe 1437g. 
to exceed $576,000,000 on or after October 1, 1976" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "and not to exceed $595,600,000 on or after October 1, 
1976". 
(c) Section 8(e)(1) of such Act is amended— 
(1) by striking out "two hundred and forty months" in the 
first sentence and inserting in lieu thereof "three hundred and 
sixty months, except that such term may not exceed two hundred 
, \, 
and forty months in the case of a project financed with assistance 
. -
of a loan made by, or insured, guaranteed or intended for pur-
chase by, the Federal Government, other than pursuant to section 12 USe 1715z-9. 
^ 
244 of the National Housing Act"; and 
" 
(2) by striking out "In the case of" in the second sentence and 
^MM 
inserting "Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the 
case of". 
GENERAL INSURANCE FUND 
SEC. 102. Section 519(f) of the National Housing Act is amended 12 USe 1735c. 
by striking out "$500,000,000" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"$1,341,000,000". 
URBAN H O M E S T E A D I N G 
DEMONSTRATION 
SEC 103. Section 810(g) of the Housing and Community Devel-
opment Act of 1974 is amended by striking out "not to exceed 12 USe 1706e. 
$5,000,000 for fiscal year 1977" and inserting in lieu thereof "not to 
exceed $15,000,000 for fiscal year 1977". 
EXTENSION OF HUD INSURANCE 
AUTHORITIES 
SEC 104. (a) Section 1201 of the National Housing Act is amended— 12 USe 1749bbb. 
(1) by striking out, in subsection (b) (1), "April 30, 1977" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "September 30,1978"; 
91 STAT. 56 
PUBLIC LAW 95-24—APR. 30, 1977 
12 use 
1749bbb-8. 
(2) by striking out, in subsection (b) (1) (A), "April 30,1978" 
and inserting in lieu thereof "September 30, 1981"; and 
(3) by striking out in subsection (b) (2), "April 30, 1978" and 
inserting in lieu thereof "September 30,1978". 
(b) Section 1222(d) of such Act is amended by inserting imme-
diately before the period at the end thereof a comma and the follow-
ing : "except that such term shall expire on September 30, beginning 
in either calendar year 1977 or 1978, as determined by the Secretary". 
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MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO MORTGAGE INSURANCE PROGRAMS 
SEC. 105. (a) The first sentence of section 101(c) of title I of the 
Housing Act of 1949 is amended— 
(1) by striking out "and no mortgage shall be insured, and no 
commitment to insure a mortgage shall be issued, under section 
220 of the National Housing Act, as amended," and 
(2) by striking out the first proviso. 
(b) Section 220(d) (1) (A) (ii) of the National Housing Act is 
amended by striking out "in a community respecting which the Secre-
tary of Housing and Urban Development has made the determination 
provided for by section 101(c) of the Housing Act of 1949, as 
amended". 
C O N S T R U C T I O N 
O F 
M O D E R A T E INCOME HOUSING 
SEC. 106. The first sentence of section 221(d)(4) of the National 
Housing Act is amended by striking out "other than a mortgagor 
referred to in subsection (d) (3) of this section,". 
National 
Neighborhood 
Policy Act. 
42 
use 1441 
note. 
42 
use 1441 
note. 
,-^«<;j\ J 
TITLE II—NATIONAL COMMISSION ON 
NEIGHBORHOODS 
SHORT TITLE 
SEC. 201. This title may be cited as the "National Neighborhood 
Policy Act". 
FINDINGS AND PURPOSE 
SEC. 202. (a) The Congress finds and declares that existing city 
neighborhoods are a national resource to be conserved and revitalized 
wherever possible, and that public policy should promote that 
objective. 
(b) The Congress further finds that the tendency of public policy 
incentives to ignore the need to preserve the built environment can no 
longer be defended, either economically or socially, and must be 
replaced with explicit policy incentives encouraging conservation of 
existing neighborhoods. That objective will require a comprehensive 
review of existing laws, policies, and programs which affect neighbor-
hoods, to assess their impact on neighborhoods, and to recommend 
modifications where necessary. 
National 
eommission on 
Neighborhoods. 
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note. 
Membership. 
ESTABLISHMENT OF COMMISSION 
SEC. 203. (a) There is hereby established a commission to be known 
as the National Commission on Neighborhoods (hereinafter referred 
to as the "Commission"). 
(b) The Commission shall be composed of twenty members, to be 
appointed as follows: 
(1) two Members of the Senate appointed by the President of 
the Senate; 
PUBLIC LAW 95-24—APR. 30, 1977 
91 STAT. 57 
(2) two Members of the House of Representatives appointed by 
the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and 
(3) sixteen public members appointed by the President of the 
United States from among persons specially qualified by experi-
ence and training to perform the duties of the Commission, at 
least five of whom shall be elected officers of recognized neighbor-
hood organizations engaged in development and revitalization 
programs, and at least five of whom shall be elected or appointed 
officials of local governments involved in preservation programs. 
The remaining members shall be drawn from outstanding indi-
viduals with demonstrated experience in neighborhood revitaliza-
tion activities, from such fields as finance, business, philanthropic, 
civic, and educational organizations. 
The individuals appointed by the President of the United States shall 
be selected so as to provide representation to a broad cross section of 
racial, ethnic, and geographic groups. The two members appointed 
pursuant to clause (1) may not be members of the same political party, 
nor may the two members appointed pursuant to clause (2) be mem-
bers of the same political party. Not more than eight of the members 
appointed pursuant to clause (3) may be members of the same political 
party. 
(c) The Chairman shall be appointed by the President, by and with 
the advice and consent of the Senate, from among the public members. 
(d) The executive director shall be appointed by the President, by 
and with the advice and consent of the Senate, from among individuals 
recommended by the Commission. 
Chairman. 
Executive 
director. 
DITTIES 
SEC, 204. (a) The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive 
study and investigation of the factors contributing to the decline of 
city neighborhoods and of the factors necessary to neighborhood sur-
vival and revitalization. Such study and investigation shall include, 
but not be limited to— 
(1) an analysis of the impact of existing Federal, State, and 
local policies, programs, and laws on neighborhood survival and 
revitalization; 
(2) an identification of the administrative, legal, and fiscal 
obstacles to the well-being of neighborhoods; 
(3) an analysis of the patterns and trends of public and private 
investment in urban areas and the impact of such patterns and 
trends on the decline or revitalization of neighborhoods; 
(4) an assessment of the existing mechanisms of neighborhood 
governance and of the influence exercised by neighborhoods on 
local government; 
(5) an analysis of the impact of poverty and racial conflict 
on neighborhoods; 
(6) an assessment of local and regional development plans and 
their impact on neighborhoods; and 
(7) an evaluation of existing citizen-initiated neighborhood 
revitalization efforts and a determination of how public policy 
can best support such efforts. 
(b) The Commission shall make recommendations for modifications 
in Federal, State, and local laws, policies, and programs necessary to 
facilitate neighborhood preservation and revitalization. Such recom-
mendations shall include, but not be limited to— 
(1) new mechanisms to promote reinvestment in existing city 
neighborhoods; 
Study and 
investigation. 
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note. 
Recommen-
dations 
for Federal, 
State, and local 
governments. 
91 STAT. 58 
PUBLIC LAW 95-24—APR. 30, 1977 
Report to 
Congress and 
President. 
42 use 1441 
note. 
(2) more eflPective means of community participation in local 
governance; 
(3) policies to encourage the survival of economically and 
socially diverse neighborhoods; 
(4) policies to prevent such destructive practices as blockbust-
ing, redlining, resegregation, speculation in reviving neighbor-
hoods, and to promote homeownership in urban communities; 
(5) policies to encourage better maintenance and management 
of existing rental housing; 
(6) policies to make maintenance and rehabilitation of existing 
structures at least as attractive from a tax viewpoint as demolition 
and development of new structures; 
(7) modification in local zoning and tax policies to facilitate 
preservation and revitalization of existing neighborhoods; and 
(8) reorientation of existing housing and community develop-
ment programs and other tax and subsidy policies that affect 
neighborhoods, to better support neighborhood preservation 
efforts. 
(c) Not later than one year after the date on which funds first 
become available to carry out this title, the Commission shall submit 
to the Congress and the President a comprehensive report on its study 
and investigation under this subsection which shall include its find-
ings, conclusions, and recommendations and such proposals for legisla-
tion and administrative action as may be necessary to carry out its 
recommendations. 
COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS 
SEC. 205. (a) Members of the Commission w^ho are Members of 
Congress or full-time officers or employees of the United States shall 
serve without additional compensation, but shall be reimbursed for 
travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the per-
formance of the duties vested in the Commission. 
(b) Members of the Commission, other than those referred to in 
subsection (a), shall receive compensation at the rate of $100 per 
day for each day they are engaged in the actual performance of the 
duties vested in the Commission and shall be entitled to reimbursement 
for travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses incurred in the 
performance of such duties. 
Appointments 
and compensation 
in competitive 
service. 
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note. 
Experts and 
consultants. 
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i • 
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
SEC. 206. (a) The Commission shall have the power to appoint and 
fix the compensation of such personnel as it deems advisable, without 
regard to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing 
appointments in the competitive service, and the provisions of chapter 
51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classifica-
tion and General Schedule pay rates, but at rates not in excess of a 
maximum rate for GS-18 of the General Schedule under section 5332 
of such title. 
(b) The Commission may procure, in accordance with the pro-
visions of section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, the temporary 
or intermittent services of experts or consultants. Persons so employed 
shall receive compensation at a rate to be fixed by the Commission but 
not in excess of $100 per day, including traveltime. While away from 
his or her home or regular place of business in the performance of 
services for the Commission, any such person may be allowed travel 
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 
PUBLIC LAW 95-24~APR. 30, 1977 
91 STAT. 59 
section 5703(b) of title 5, United States Code, for persons in the 
Government service employed intermittently. 
(c) Each department, agency, and instrumentality of the United 
States is authorized and directed to furnish to the Commission, upon 
request made by the Chairman or Vice Chairman, on a reimbursable 
basis or otherwise, such statistical data, reports, and other informa-
tion as the Commission deems necessary to carry out its functions 
under this title. The Chairman is further authorized to call upon the 
departments, agencies, and other offices of the several States to furnish, 
on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, such statistical data, reports, and 
other information as the Commission deems necessary to carry out 
its functions under this title. 
(d) The Commission may award contracts and grants for the pur-
poses of evaluating existing neighborhood revitalization programs and 
the impact of existing laws on neighborhoods, Aw^ards under this sub-
section may be made to— 
(1) representatives of legally chartered neighborhood orga-
nizations ; 
(2) public interest organizations which have a demonstrated 
capability in the area of concern ; and 
(3) universites and other not-for-profit educational organiza-
tions. 
(e) The Commission or, on the authorization of the Commission, 
any subcommittee or member thereof, may, for the purpose of carry-
ing out the provisions of this title, hold hearings, take testimony, and 
administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses appearing before the 
Commission or any subcommittee or member thereof. Hearings by the 
Commission will he held in neighborhoods with testimony received 
from citizen leaders and public officials who are engaged in neighbor-
hood revitalization programs. 
Contracts and 
grants. 
AUTHORIZATIONS OF APPROPRIATIONS 
SEC. 207. There are authorized to be appropriated not to exceed 42 USC 1441 
$1,000,000 to carry out this title. 
°«te. 
EXPIRATION OF THE COMMISSION 
SEC. 208. The Commission shall cease to exist thirty days after the 42 USC 1441 
submission of its report under section 204. 
"o*^-
Approved April 30, 1977. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: 
HOUSE REPORTS:' No. 95-42 (Comm. on Banking, Finance and Urban Affairs) and No. 
95-221 (Comm. of Conference). 
SENATE REPORT No. 95-61 accompanying S. 1070 (Comm. on Banking, Housing, and 
Urban Affairs). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 123 (1977): 
Mar. 10, considered and passed House. 
Apr. 4, S. 1070 considered and passed Senate. 
Apr. 5, considered and passed Senate, amended, in lieu of S. 1070. 
Apr. 26, Senate agreed to conference report. 
Apr. 28, House agreed to conference report.