HR5033-119

This bill, the Safe Temperature Act of 2025, addresses dangerous heat and cold conditions inside federally assisted housing. Many residents of public housing, Section 8 project-based housing, and HUD-funded elderly housing face unsafe indoor temperatures, especially during extreme weather, because building owners are not required to maintain specific temperature standards. This bill gives the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) the power to require that housing units receiving federal assistance maintain a comfortable and safe temperature between 71 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit. The bill covers three categories of housing: (1) Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) project-based rental assistance units -- HUD may require owners to maintain the temperature range; (2) Public housing -- HUD may use Capital Fund or Operating Fund money (existing federal funds for public housing maintenance and operations) to help ensure temperature compliance; and (3) Section 202 supportive housing for the elderly -- HUD may require owners to maintain the temperature range. Notably, the bill uses "may" rather than "shall," meaning it gives HUD the authority to impose these requirements through regulation, but does not mandate it. This is significant because it means the actual implementation depends on whether HUD chooses to exercise this authority. No new funding is appropriated; the bill only authorizes using existing public housing funds for temperature compliance.