Why the U.S. Needs the Green New Deal for Public Housing Now

Bill Summary
S.1218   H.R.2664

Today, the ill effects of climate change and housing insecurity are deepening in the United States. Our public housing system, marred by decades of neglect and racial injustice, is crumbling under a staggering $70 billion maintenance backlog. Residents face severe health risks from mold, lead, poor air quality, and dangerous temperatures.

Furthermore, the financial strain on these households is profound. Low-income families spend an average of 8.6% of their income on energy costs—nearly triple the percentage that other households pay. This stark disparity forces unthinkable choices between essential needs: heating or eating, medication or electricity.

The housing affordability crisis compounds these issues. Today, 11.3 million households spend over half their income on housing. No full-time minimum-wage worker can afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in any state. This isn't just an economic issue—it's a call to action for systemic change. We must address these deep-seated issues with decisive and compassionate solutions that ensure a fair and sustainable future for all.

The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act proposes a transformative $234 billion investment over the next decade to renovate public housing into zero-carbon, energy-efficient homes. It's an investment in health, safety, and sustainability—an opportunity to lift living standards and lower energy expenses for nearly 2 million people.

Key Points of the Legislation (Data for Progress)

• Investment in Green Infrastructure: Allocate substantial funds to retrofit public housing with sustainable, energy-efficient technologies. This would vastly improve health, safety, and comfort and eliminate carbon emissions, greatly improving the living conditions of nearly 2 million people.
• Injection of billions of dollars into the 21st-century green retrofit economy, up to 240,723 jobs per year will be created nationally across multiple sectors.
• Reduction in Carbon Emissions: Achieve a substantial decrease in yearly carbon emissions, aiding the fight against climate change. This can be done through electrification, increased energy efficiency, renewable energy purchase and solar panel installation, and removal of fossil fuels from building systems.
• Transition of public housing into zero-carbon, energy-efficient homes. This will reduce public housing water bills by up to 30% per year, or $97 million, and reduce public housing energy bills by up to 70% per year, or $613 million dollars.