Vacant Property for the Unhoused Act

S 5516, the Vacant Property for the Unhoused Act, establishes a 5-year grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help community land trusts and other community-based housing organizations convert vacant residential properties into long-term affordable housing for unhoused individuals. The bill prioritizes applications from organizations operating in areas with high homelessness rates, providing supportive services (like job training and healthcare), and using equitable tenant screening that avoids exclusionary criteria. Grant funds can cover converting vacant properties, making habitability upgrades, or long-term maintenance costs to create stable housing. This program directly affects unhoused individuals (defined as homeless under federal law) and community housing organizations, aiming to reduce homelessness by utilizing existing vacant housing stock.