Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)
Green New Deal for Public Housing Act
A Democratic bill with 41 Democratic cosponsors · See all 41 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act aims to modernize the entire United States public housing stock into highly energy-efficient, zero-carbon homes. The bill establishes grant programs to facilitate workforce development, infrastructure upgrades, and large-scale energy transitions. It seeks to rehabilitate distressed housing to improve safety, water quality, and energy efficiency while supporting domestic manufacturing. Additionally, the act emphasizes maximizing tenant participation and management through education and job training. The legislation also aims to strengthen entire neighborhoods through community resilience and economic opportunities.
Yes· 3 of 29
- Scored +9
Does this make housing cost less?
The act provides significant funding to modernize, rehabilitate, and expand the public housing stock.
- Scored +9
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?
The bill transitions public housing into zero-carbon, highly energy-efficient homes.
- Scored +8
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill directly addresses the needs of low and very low-income individuals through housing and jobs.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Improved Living Standards and Safety: The bill aims to rehabilitate severely distressed public housing to protect residents from unhealthy and unsafe environments (Section 2, Purpose 2). It also focuses on upgrading water quality by replacing pipes to meet specific safety standards for lead, arsenic, and other contaminants (Section 6, subsection a, clause 2, subclause iii).
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Economic Empowerment and Job Training: Through grant programs, the act provides for workforce development, including apprenticeships, certifications, and technical training (Section 6, subsection a, clause 1, subclause ii). It specifically offers opportunities for local low- and very low-income individuals, including those formerly incarcerated (Section 6, subsection a, clause 1, subclause ii).
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Energy Savings and Resilience: The bill focuses on transitioning housing into zero-carbon homes to improve energy efficiency (Section 2, Purpose 3 and 5). It includes provisions for community energy generation and energy storage to ensure energy backup during emergencies or disasters (Section 6, subsection a, clause 2, subclause vi).
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Increased Community Participation: The act encourages tenant participation in the management and rehabilitation of their housing through resident councils (Section 9) and community engagement requirements (Section 6, subsection b).
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Support for Local Businesses: The bill includes provisions to provide technical assistance and resources to subsidized housing resident-owned businesses (Section 6, subsection a, clause 1, subclause ii).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Resident Displacement: The bill involves large-scale rehabilitation, modernization, and new construction, which may result in the temporary or permanent displacement of residents (Section 6, subsection a, clause 2, subclause x; Section 6, subsection e).
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Potential for Instability: The process of upgrading and transitioning housing could lead to instability for residents during the construction or relocation phases (Section 6, subsection i, clause 2, subclause B).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill directly addresses the needs of low and very low-income individuals through housing and jobs. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The act mandates ADA compliance and provides improved accessibility in public housing. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes specific provisions and protections for Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The bill includes provisions for senior centers and home-based services for older adults. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill promotes labor-management partnerships and protects union organizing rights. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill supports resident-owned businesses through technical assistance and procurement opportunities. Would retired people be better off under this? — The bill provides support for senior centers and community-based services. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill targets urban environment improvements through housing modernization. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Workforce development and job training opportunities are available for younger residents. Would children be better off under this? — Improvements in housing safety and water quality benefit children living in public housing.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make housing cost less? — The act provides significant funding to modernize, rehabilitate, and expand the public housing stock. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — The bill mandates compliance with ADA standards and includes accessibility upgrades for public housing. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By improving living standards and providing job training, the bill aims to support low-income households. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill targets environmental justice communities and focuses on the needs of communities of color. Does this make child care cost less? — The bill funds the construction and ongoing costs of childcare centers within public housing. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Modernizing public housing can improve the sustainability of the housing safety net.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change? — The bill transitions public housing into zero-carbon, highly energy-efficient homes. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The act funds the installation of solar energy and other renewable sources in public housing. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill improves water quality and addresses environmental justice concerns. Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — The bill includes energy storage systems to ensure power during emergencies or disasters. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The bill includes infrastructure for bicycle transportation and electric vehicle charging.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes grant programs for workforce development and high-income employment transitions in public housing. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill provides technical assistance and resources specifically for subsidized housing resident-owned businesses. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The bill includes provisions to support labor-management partnerships and protects workers' rights to organize. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The act promotes economic empowerment through workforce training and support for resident-owned businesses.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires detailed biannual reports to Congress on various impacts. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill uses federal funds and credit to modernize public housing agencies.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The bill funds the installation of high-speed internet in public housing developments.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill facilitates the inclusion of healthcare clinics within public housing developments.
- 8/10/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 8/6/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 40 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Maxwell FrostDemocrat · Florida
Jimmy GomezDemocrat · California
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Robert GarciaDemocrat · California
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Ted LieuDemocrat · California
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Kevin MullinDemocrat · California
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Ilhan OmarDemocrat · Minnesota
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland
Emily RandallDemocrat · Washington
Adam SmithDemocrat · Washington
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Melanie StansburyDemocrat · New Mexico
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey