Bill > S1166

This bill establishes an urban heat mitigation grant program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to address the growing challenges of extreme heat in urban areas, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The program will provide grants to eligible entities such as states, local governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and nonprofits to implement projects that mitigate urban heat effects, with at least 75% of funding targeted to census tracts with poverty rates of 20% or higher. Eligible projects include tree planting, creating cool pavements and roofs, establishing cooling centers, developing urban forestry master plans, and conducting community education about heat mitigation. The bill recognizes that urban heat disproportionately affects low-income and minority communities, causing significant public health risks, including over 600 heat-related deaths annually and increased respiratory problems. The grant program aims to help communities reduce urban temperatures through strategic interventions, with priority given to areas with lower tree canopy and higher summer temperatures. The bill authorizes $30 million annually from 2026 to 2033, and requires an oversight board to evaluate grant recipients' progress and ensure project effectiveness. Grants will cover up to 80% of project costs, with the possibility of 100% federal funding for entities demonstrating economic hardship.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1166/all-info