HR3703-119

What This Bill Does

The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act creates a HUD grant program through the Office of Community Planning and Development, coordinated with EPA, the Forest Service, and NOAA's Climate Program Office. The program funds eligible entities for urban heat mitigation and management projects. Covered census tracts are census tracts with poverty rates of at least 20 percent, including certain historically redlined areas. Eligible entities include states, local governments, Tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, nonprofits, and other entities defined by the bill. Eligible projects include cool roofs, cool pavements, reflective or permeable surfaces, urban tree canopy assessment and expansion, urban forestry master planning, arboriculture training, maintenance of existing urban trees, and other actions HUD determines appropriate to mitigate or manage excess urban heat. At least 75 percent of covered grant amounts each fiscal year must support projects in covered census tracts. Up to 3 percent of appropriations may be used for technical assistance, with preference for covered census tracts or communities with lower tree canopy and higher summer daytime temperatures. Applications must explain how the project combats extreme heat or urban heat effects, improves quality of life, meaningfully engages affected communities, builds reciprocal relationships with community-based organizations, consults stakeholders, empowers community decision making, and addresses health, environment, and built environment. HUD must issue guidance within 180 days. The federal share is generally capped at 80 percent, but HUD may raise it to 100 percent for economic hardship. HUD must prioritize covered census tracts and low-tree-canopy high-heat communities, report annually to Congress on recipients and geographic/economic distribution, use up to 5 percent for an oversight board that helps select recipients and reviews progress, and the bill authorizes $30 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2033.

Who Benefits and How

Residents of high-poverty heat islands benefit because at least 75 percent of grant funds target covered census tracts. Low-tree-canopy neighborhoods benefit from tree canopy, cool surface, and heat-management projects. Local governments benefit from HUD grants and technical assistance for heat mitigation planning and implementation. Community-based organizations benefit from required engagement and potential project partnerships. Urban forestry workers benefit from arboriculture training and tree maintenance activities.

Who Bears the Burden and How

HUD community planning staff must create the grant program, issue guidance, review applications, and report annually. EPA, Forest Service, and NOAA staff must coordinate on program implementation and oversight. Grant recipients must prepare engagement plans, match funds unless hardship applies, and report progress. Oversight board members must evaluate project success and avoid conflicts of interest. Federal taxpayers fund $30 million per year in authorized spending through fiscal year 2033.

Key Provisions

• Creates a HUD urban heat mitigation and management grant program within one year.
• Requires at least 75 percent of grant funds to support covered census tracts.
• Funds cool roofs, cool pavements, tree canopy, urban forestry, arboriculture training, and other heat mitigation.
• Provides technical assistance and allows 100 percent federal cost share for economic hardship.
• Requires community engagement, annual congressional reports, and an oversight board.
• Authorizes $30 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2033.