PRICE Act
The PRICE Act creates a new, federal grant program (the Preservation and Reinvestment for Community Enhancement program) to support the development and improvement of manufactured housing communities. It amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to authorize grants for eligible recipients—ranging from local governments, housing authorities, and tribal entities to resident-owned communities and nonprofit/housing-focused organizations—to carry out projects that preserve long-term affordability and improve resident well-being. Eligible uses include infrastructure and utilities, housing reconstruction or replacement, planning, health/safety and accessibility work, land acquisition for expansion, and resident services such as relocation assistance and eviction prevention. Replacements must meet safety standards, and grants cannot be used to rehabilitate units built before 1976. The Secretary prioritizes projects that primarily benefit low- and moderate-income residents and preserves long-term affordability, with the possibility of waivers to facilitate funding. Appropriations are authorized as necessary.
Key Points
- 1Establishes a competitive grant program under Section 123 of the Housing and Community Development Act to fund development or improvement of eligible manufactured housing communities.
- 2Defines important terms, including: eligible manufactured housing communities (affordable to ≤120% of area median income and owned by resident-controlled entities or maintained as such), eligible recipients (governments, housing authorities, resident-owned entities, nonprofits, CDFIs, tribes, states, or owner-operators working with communities), and resident health, safety, and accessibility activities (reconstruction, repair, or replacement to improve health, safety, or accessibility).
- 3Eligible project activities cover a broad range: infrastructure and utilities; reconstruction or repair of existing housing; replacement of homes; planning; health, safety, and accessibility improvements; land/site acquisition for expansion; resident and community services (e.g., relocation assistance, eviction prevention, down payment assistance); and other Secretary-approved activities that improve living conditions and long-term affordability.
- 4Replacement rules: grants cannot be used for rehabilitating or modernizing units built before June 15, 1976; replacement housing must meet Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards or be another approved home, as determined by the Secretary.
- 5Priority and waivers: grants should prioritize activities that benefit low- and moderate-income residents and preserve long-term affordability. The Secretary may waive or modify certain program requirements (excluding fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and environmental rules) if necessary to facilitate use of funds.
- 6Implementation and funding: grants are awarded under criteria established by the Secretary; funds may be set aside for Indian Tribes and tribally designated housing entities. The Act authorizes appropriations as necessary to carry out the section.