Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders have introduced a sweeping legislative proposal called the Green New Deal for Public Housing. Their aim is to address the urgent issues of climate change and rising housing costs by placing public housing at the center of the green energy transition.

In an email statement, Ocasio-Cortez emphasized the importance of public housing as the "gold standard" for affordable, environmentally friendly, and safe communities. The bill, if passed, would require an investment of between $162 billion and $234 billion over the next decade to decarbonize all of the nation's public housing units and construct additional units.

By doing so, the proposal would not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5.7 million tons, equivalent to removing 1.26 million cars from US roads each year, but also create jobs and improve public health. The bill has garnered support from progressive lawmakers, environmental groups, housing justice organizations, and labor unions.

During a press conference, Sanders highlighted the multiple advantages of the proposed legislation, stating that it would provide decent-quality, affordable housing for millions of Americans while also creating good-paying union jobs. This three-fold benefit makes it a win-win-win situation, according to Sanders.

While the bill is not expected to pass, its supporters believe that it can help build support for their vision. The reintroduction of the bill comes at a time when the nation is facing an unprecedented shortage of affordable housing. According to a report from Harvard University, in 2022, a record half of all Americans spent more than 50% of their income on rent.

Public housing currently remains an affordable option for 1.7 million Americans. However, due to chronic underinvestment, many public housing units have been allowed to fall into disrepair. As a result, there is a maintenance backlog of $70 billion. Often, these units are either demolished or privatized. Between 2009 and 2022, the US public housing stock has decreased by 25% from 1.2 million units to just over 900,000 units.

The Green New Deal for Public Housing seeks to transform the nation's public housing stock by repairing the existing units, removing contaminants like lead and mold, and making them energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Each unit would be insulated and weatherized to conserve energy, equipped with fossil fuel-free electric appliances, and fitted with renewable energy sources.

Kira McDonald, a researcher at Climate and Community Project, highlighted the major health and comfort benefits that would accompany these improvements. Removing fossil fuel-powered appliances would reduce air pollution, while proper insulation and heat pumps could lower energy bills and improve residents' respiratory health.

The proposed policy also aims to repeal the 1998 Faircloth Amendment, which currently prevents the federal government from funding new public housing. This change would allow the construction of new state-of-the-art, green public housing units. The policy would particularly benefit marginalized communities as public housing residents are disproportionately people of color, and 24% of them live with a disability.

Furthermore, the Green New Deal for Public Housing would have positive effects on the entire nation by creating approximately 280,000 jobs over the next decade, all of which would be unionized. Additionally, the promotion of efficient technologies within public housing could benefit all residents. For example, a previous initiative by New York City's public housing authority to install induction stoves and small heat pumps led to their availability on the market for all US residents.

Despite the challenges of passing the bill, support for the expansion and improvement of public housing is growing. Last year, the House voted to repeal the Faircloth Amendment, and many Democratic lawmakers supported allocating $60 billion for public housing in the spending package that became the Inflation Reduction Act. Although these measures did not ultimately pass, they indicate a strong foundation of support that advocates can build upon.

The Green New Deal for Public Housing represents a visionary future that aims to uplift everyone. By prioritizing affordable, green, and sustainable housing, Ocasio-Cortez, Sanders, and their supporters are striving to create a better world for all.