HR6345-119

What This Bill Does

The Point-Access Housing Guidelines Act pushes HUD to help jurisdictions evaluate single-stair point-access block apartment buildings as a housing-supply tool. Within 18 months, HUD must issue guidelines for States, territories, Tribes, localities, public housing agencies, nonprofits, developers, design firms, engineers, and researchers. The guidance must include model code language, best practices, and technical material for permitting point-access block residential buildings while considering fire safety, sprinklers, smoke detection, ventilation, egress, construction cost, affordability, consumer needs, examples from places that allow single-stair buildings, and consultation with developers, architects, fire marshals, researchers, economists, housing authorities, and State officials. HUD must also coordinate with the International Code Council to encourage consideration in the International Building Code. The bill allows competitive pilot grants to test safety, feasibility, and cost effectiveness, but it expressly does not preempt State or local building codes.

Who Benefits and How

Housing developers, nonprofit housing organizations, architects, engineers, public housing agencies, and jurisdictions trying to legalize smaller apartment buildings benefit from model language and technical guidance. Renters and homebuyers could benefit if point-access designs reduce construction costs or allow more infill housing. Pilot-grant recipients benefit from federal support to test code approaches before adoption.

Who Bears the Burden and How

HUD policy staff must produce a technical code-guidance package and coordinate with the International Code Council. Fire marshals, building officials, and local code agencies may need to review new model language and evaluate pilot projects. Developers and designers using the guidance still must satisfy local safety standards because the bill does not override local code authority.

Key Provisions

• Requires HUD to issue point-access block residential building guidelines within 18 months.
• Requires model code language, best practices, and technical guidance covering safety, cost, affordability, and consumer needs.
• Requires consultation with developers, architects, fire marshals, researchers, economists, housing authorities, and State officials.
• Directs HUD to coordinate with the International Code Council on possible International Building Code incorporation.
• Authorizes competitive pilot grants for eligible governments, housing entities, developers, designers, researchers, and consortia.
• Preserves State and local building-code authority by barring federal preemption.