Green New Deal for Public Housing Act Reintroduced with Union Support
Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Delia C. Ramirez, along with Senator Bernie Sanders, have brought back the Green New Deal for Public Housing Act (GND4PH) in Congress. This initiative aims to improve public housing, address overdue capital needs, and create union jobs, while also working to overturn the Faircloth Amendment from 1998. First introduced in 2019 and updated in 2021 and 2024, it has received backing from three major trade unions. The plan proposes a $43 billion investment in New York State over ten years, targeting the renovation of over 126,000 housing units and the creation of more than 14,000 jobs. It currently has support from 40 Democrats in the House and 6 in the Senate, but no Republican support. Ramona Ferreyra has voiced concerns about the Mamdani administration's FY27 plan to privatize public housing.
Key facts
- The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act (GND4PH) was reintroduced by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Delia C. Ramirez, and Bernie Sanders.
- The bill would repeal the Faircloth Amendment of 1998, which caps government spending on public housing development.
- First introduced in 2019, updated versions were reintroduced in 2021 and 2024 but did not advance.
- For the first time, three significant trade unions endorsed the bill.
- Save Section 9 (SS9) worked with Ocasio-Cortez's office to refine the bill, requesting protections against privatization.
- Jacob Carlson co-authored a report stating the bill would invest $43 billion in New York State over ten years, renovate over 126,000 public housing units, and create more than 14,000 jobs.
- The bill addresses a $169 billion repair backlog nationwide.
- The bill currently has 40 House cosponsors and 6 Senate cosponsors, all Democrats.
- Ramona Ferreyra of SS9 criticized the Mamdani administration's FY27 financial plan allocating $1.5 billion toward public housing privatization.
Entities
Institutions
- Congress
- Save Section 9 (SS9)
- Kean University
- Mamdani administration
Locations
- New York State
- New York City
- United States