Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025
The Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025 would require the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create an Urban Heat Mitigation and Management Grant Program. The program would fund eligible entities (including states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, Indian tribes, territorial governments, nonprofits working with these entities, and consortia) to carry out projects that reduce excess urban heat and adapt to extreme heat. A central aims is to address environmental justice by prioritizing communities with higher poverty and weaker tree cover, where heat-related harms are more severe. Eligible projects cover a broad range of tree planting, cooling infrastructure, shade, and public health measures, as well as planning and outreach activities. The program would be funded at $30 million per year (fiscal years 2026–2033) and would require most grants (at least 75%) to be used in “covered census tracts”—areas with high poverty and related conditions. Key governance features include a detailed application and engagement process, a matching requirement (the federal share generally up to 80%, with a potential 100% share for entities demonstrating economic hardship), and an oversight board to evaluate progress and outcomes. HUD would coordinate with EPA, the Forest Service, and NOAA’s Climate Program Office, and HUD must issue guidance within 180 days of enactment. The act also directs annual reporting to Congress on grant recipients and geographic/economic distribution, and would create a defined set of terms (e.g., “excess urban heat effect,” “extreme heat,” “urban tree canopy”) to guide program implementation.
Key Points
- 1Establishes an urban heat mitigation and management grant program under HUD, coordinated with EPA, the Forest Service, and NOAA.
- 2Requires a set-aside: at least 75% of covered grants annually must go to projects in covered census tracts (high-poverty areas).
- 3Eligible projects span tree planting/maintenance, cool pavements/roofs/green roofs, shade structures, cooling centers, community gardens, outreach, urban forestry planning, canopy assessments, and other Secretary-approved actions aimed at reducing heat.
- 4Funding terms and support: up to 80% federal share per project (with a possible 100% share if the entity demonstrates economic hardship); up to 3% of funds may be used for technical assistance, with preference given to applicants serving covered census tracts or areas with low tree canopy and high daytime temperatures.
- 5Oversight and accountability: an independent oversight board (paralleled by a rubric) to select recipients and monitor progress; board members may include representatives from EPA, HHS, DOE, USDA, nonprofits, and academia, with conflict-of-interest certification for certain members.
- 6Reporting and transparency: annual congressional report detailing grant recipients and geographic/economic distribution.
- 7Authorization of appropriations: $30 million per year for 2026–2033.