HR4921-119

What This Bill Does

The PUPP Act creates a USDA grant program, coordinated with HUD, for interim and permanent housing that allows unhoused people and families to keep pets with them. Eligible local governments, nonprofits, and homeless-housing providers may use grants to acquire, renovate, rehabilitate, repurpose, retrofit, or construct pet-accommodating housing; pay pet-related operating costs; and train staff and volunteers in basic pet care. Assisted housing must provide supportive services such as mental health, employment, substance use disorder, and wellness services, and must arrange basic veterinary care, behavioral support, vaccinations, spay and neuter services, dental care, flea and tick treatment, and other pet care. Applicants must identify local need, partner veterinary and animal care providers, outreach plans, and existing shelters or structures. Recipients report activities, costs, effectiveness, and recommendations. The bill authorizes $5,000,000 for each fiscal year 2026 through 2030.

Who Benefits and How

Unhoused families with pets benefit because housing providers can receive funds to create shelter or permanent housing that accommodates companion animals. Local government housing providers benefit from competitive USDA grants for acquiring, renovating, or constructing pet-friendly housing. Nonprofit housing organizations benefit from funding for pet-related operating costs and staff training. Veterinary service providers benefit from required partnerships to deliver basic pet care for residents' animals.

Who Bears the Burden and How

USDA grant staff must run the competitive program, review plans, and collect annual recipient reports. HUD coordination staff must consult on housing and homelessness program alignment. Grant recipients must provide supportive services, veterinary-care access, pet accommodations, outreach, and cost reporting. Federal taxpayers bear the cost of the $5,000,000 annual authorization from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes USDA grants for interim and permanent housing that accommodates unhoused individuals with pets.
• Requires assisted housing to provide supportive services and basic veterinary care access.
• Limits eligible entities to local governments, nonprofit organizations, and homeless-housing providers.
• Requires applications to identify local need, pet-care partners, outreach plans, and eligible structures or land.
• Authorizes $5,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.