§12705. State and local housing strategies

(a) In general

The Secretary shall provide assistance directly to a jurisdiction only if-

(1) the jurisdiction submits to the Secretary a comprehensive housing affordability strategy (hereafter in this section referred to as the "housing strategy");

(2) the jurisdiction submits annual updates of the housing strategy; and

(3) the housing strategy, and any annual update of such strategy, is approved by the Secretary.

The Secretary shall establish such dates and manner for the submission and approval of housing strategies under this section that the Secretary determines will facilitate orderly program management by jurisdictions and provide for timely investment or other use of funds made available under subchapter II of this chapter and other programs requiring submission of a housing strategy. If the Secretary finds there is good cause, the Secretary may provide reasonable extensions of any deadlines for submission of a jurisdiction's housing strategy.

(b) Contents

A housing strategy submitted under this section shall be in a form that the Secretary determines to be appropriate for the assistance the jurisdiction may be provided and shall-

(1) describe the jurisdiction's estimated housing needs projected for the ensuing 5-year period, and the jurisdiction's need for assistance for very low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families, specifying such needs for different types of tenure and for different categories of residents, such as very low-income, low-income, and moderate-income families, the elderly, persons with disabilities, single persons, large families, residents of nonmetropolitan areas, families who are participating in an organized program to achieve economic independence and self-sufficiency, persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking and other categories of persons residing in or expected to reside in the jurisdiction that the Secretary determines to be appropriate;

(2) describe the nature and extent of homelessness, including rural homelessness, within the jurisdiction, providing an estimate of the special needs of various categories of persons who are homeless or threatened with homelessness, including tabular representation of such information, and a description of the jurisdiction's strategy for (A) helping low-income families avoid becoming homeless; (B) addressing the emergency shelter and transitional housing needs of homeless persons (including a brief inventory of facilities and services that meet such needs within that jurisdiction); and (C) helping homeless persons make the transition to permanent housing and independent living;

(3) describe the significant characteristics of the jurisdiction's housing market, indicating how those characteristics will influence the use of funds made available for rental assistance, production of new units, rehabilitation of old units, or acquisition of existing units;

(4) explain whether the cost of housing or the incentives to develop, maintain, or improve affordable housing in the jurisdiction are affected by public policies, particularly by policies of the jurisdiction, including tax policies affecting land and other property, land use controls, zoning ordinances, building codes, fees and charges, growth limits, and policies that affect the return on residential investment, and describe the jurisdiction's strategy to remove or ameliorate negative effects, if any, of such policies, except that, if a State requires a unit of general local government to submit a regulatory barrier assessment that is substantially equivalent to the information required under this paragraph, as determined by the Secretary, the unit of general local government may submit its assessment submitted to the State to the Secretary and shall be considered to have complied with this paragraph;

(5) explain the institutional structure, including private industry, nonprofit organizations, and public institutions, through which the jurisdiction will carry out its housing strategy, assessing the strengths and gaps in that delivery system and describing what the jurisdiction will do to overcome those gaps;

(6) indicate resources from private and non-Federal public sources that are reasonably expected to be made available to carry out the purposes of this Act, explaining how funds made available will leverage those additional resources and identifying, where the jurisdiction deems it appropriate, publicly owned land or property located within the jurisdiction that may be utilized to carry out the purposes of this Act;

(7) set forth the jurisdiction's plan for investment or other use of housing funds made available under subchapter II of this chapter, the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437 et seq.], the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.], during the ensuing year or such longer period as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, indicating the general priorities for allocating investment geographically within the jurisdiction and among different activities and housing needs;

(8) describe how the jurisdiction's plan will address the housing needs identified pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2), describe the reasons for allocation priorities, and identify any obstacles to addressing underserved needs;

(9) describe the means of cooperation and coordination among the State and any units of general local government in the development, submission, and implementation of their housing strategies;

(10) in the case of a unit of local government, describe the number of public housing units in the jurisdiction, the physical condition of such units, the restoration and revitalization needs of public housing projects within the jurisdiction, the public housing agency's strategy for improving the management and operation of such public housing, and the public housing agency's strategy for improving the living environment of low- and very-low-income families residing in public housing;

(11) describe the manner in which the plan of the jurisdiction will help address the needs of public housing;

(12) in the case of a State, describe the strategy to coordinate the Low-Income Tax Credit with development of housing, including public housing, that is affordable to very low-income and low-income families;

(13) describe the jurisdiction's activities to encourage public housing residents to become more involved in management and participate in homeownership;

(14) describe the standards and procedures according to which the jurisdiction will monitor activities authorized under this Act and ensure long-term compliance with the provisions of this Act;

(15) include a certification that the jurisdiction will affirmatively further fair housing;

(16) include a certification that the jurisdiction has in effect and is following a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan that, in any case of any such displacement in connection with any activity assisted with amounts provided under subchapter II, requires the same actions and provides the same rights as required and provided under a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan under section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 [42 U.S.C. 5304(d)] in the event of displacement in connection with a development project assisted under section 106 or 119 of such Act [42 U.S.C. 5306, 5318];

(17) estimate the number of housing units within the jurisdiction that are occupied by low-income families or very low-income families and that contain lead-based paint hazards, as defined in section 4851b of this title, outline the actions proposed or being taken to evaluate and reduce lead-based paint hazards, and describe how lead-based paint hazard reduction will be integrated into housing policies and programs;

(18) include the number of families to whom the jurisdiction will provide affordable housing as defined in section 12745 of this title using funds made available;

(19) for any housing strategy submitted for fiscal year 1994 or any fiscal year thereafter and taking into consideration factors over which the jurisdiction has control, describe the jurisdiction's goals, programs, and policies for reducing the number of households with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually), and, in consultation with other appropriate public and private agencies, state how the jurisdiction's goals, programs, and policies for producing and preserving affordable housing set forth in the housing strategy will be coordinated with other programs and services for which the jurisdiction is responsible and the extent to which they will reduce (or assist in reducing) the number of households with incomes below the poverty line; and

(20) describe the jurisdictions activities to enhance coordination between public and assisted housing providers and private and governmental health, mental health, and service agencies.

The Secretary may provide for the submission of abbreviated housing strategies by jurisdictions that are not otherwise expected to be participating jurisdictions under subchapter II of this chapter. Such an abbreviated housing strategy shall be appropriate to the types and amounts of assistance the jurisdiction is to receive as determined by the Secretary.

(c) Approval

(1) In general

The Secretary shall review the housing strategy upon receipt. Not later than 60 days after receipt by the Secretary, the housing strategy shall be approved unless the Secretary determines before that date that (A) the housing strategy is inconsistent with the purposes of this Act, or (B) the information described in subsection (b) has not been provided in a substantially complete manner. For the purpose of the preceding sentence, the adoption or continuation of a public policy identified pursuant to subsection (b)(4) shall not be a basis for the Secretary's disapproval of a housing strategy. During the 18-month period following November 28, 1990, the Secretary may extend the review period to not longer than 90 days.

(2) Actions in case of disapproval

If the Secretary disapproves the housing strategy, the Secretary shall immediately notify the jurisdiction of such disapproval. Not later than 15 days after the Secretary's disapproval, the Secretary shall inform the jurisdiction in writing of (A) the reasons for disapproval, and (B) actions that the jurisdiction could take to meet the criteria for approval. If the Secretary fails to inform the jurisdiction of the reasons for disapproval within such 15-day period, the housing strategy shall be deemed to have been approved.

(3) Amendments and resubmission

The Secretary shall, for a period of not less than 45 days following the date of first disapproval, permit amendments to, or the resubmission of, any housing strategy that is disapproved. The Secretary shall approve or disapprove a housing strategy not less than 30 days after receipt of such amendments or resubmission.

(d) Coordination of State and local housing strategies

The Secretary may establish such requirements as the Secretary deems appropriate to encourage coordination between and among the housing strategies of a State and any participating jurisdictions within the State, except that a unit of general local government shall not be required to have elements of its housing strategy approved by the State.

(e) Consultation with social service agencies

(1) In general

When preparing a housing strategy for submission under this section, a jurisdiction shall make reasonable efforts to confer with appropriate social service agencies regarding the housing needs of children, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, homeless persons, and other persons served by such agencies.

(2) Lead-based paint hazards

When preparing that portion of a housing strategy required by subsection (b)(16), a jurisdiction shall consult with State or local health and child welfare agencies and examine existing data related to lead-based paint hazards and poisonings, including health department data on the addresses of housing units in which children have been identified as lead poisoned.

(f) Barrier removal

Not later than 4 months after completion of the final report of the Secretary's Advisory Commission on Regulatory Barriers to Affordable Housing, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress a written report outlining the Secretary's recommendations for legislative and administrative actions to facilitate the removal or modification of excessive, duplicative, or unnecessary regulations or other requirements of Federal, State, or local governments that (1) inflate the costs of or otherwise inhibit the construction, rehabilitation, or management of housing, particularly housing that otherwise could be affordable to low-income and moderate-income families, or (2) contribute to economic or racial discrimination.

(g) Treatment of troubled public housing agencies

(1) Effect of troubled status on CHAS

The comprehensive housing affordability strategy (or any consolidated plan incorporating such strategy) for the State or unit of general local government in which any troubled public housing agency is located shall not be considered to comply with the requirements under this section unless such plan includes a description of the manner in which the State or unit will provide financial or other assistance to such troubled agency in improving its operations to remove such designation.

(2) Definition

For purposes of this subsection, the term "troubled public housing agency" means a public housing agency that, upon the effective date of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, is designated under section 6(j)(2) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 [42 U.S.C. 1437d(j)(2)] as a troubled public housing agency.

( Pub. L. 101–625, title I, §105, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4088 ; Pub. L. 102–550, title II, §220, title VI, §681, title X, §1014, title XII, §1206, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 3761 , 3830, 3908, 3940; Pub. L. 105–276, title V, §§568, 583, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2634 , 2644; Pub. L. 109–162, title VI, §604, Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3040 ; Pub. L. 119–101, title V, §501(v)(1), (5), July 11, 2026, 140 Stat. 917 .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(6), (14) and (c)(1), is Pub. L. 101–625, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4079 , known as the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 12701 of this title and Tables.

The United States Housing Act of 1937, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is act Sept. 1, 1937, ch. 896, as revised generally by Pub. L. 93–383, title II, §201(a), Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 653 , which is classified generally to chapter 8 (§1437 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1437 of this title and Tables.

The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is Pub. L. 93–383, Aug. 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 633 . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5301 of this title and Tables.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), is Pub. L. 100–77, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 482 , which is classified principally to chapter 119 (§11301 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 11301 of this title and Tables.

The effective date of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998, referred to in subsec. (g)(2), probably means the general effective date for title V of Pub. L. 105–276, included in section 503 of Pub. L. 105–276 which is set out as an Effective Date of 1998 Amendment note under section 1437 of this title.

Amendments

2026-Subsec. (b)(7). Pub. L. 119–101, §501(v)(1), substituted "McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act" for "Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act".

Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 119–101, §501(v)(5), substituted "paragraphs" for "subparagraphs".

2006-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 109–162 inserted "victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking" after "immunodeficiency syndrome,".

1998-Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(1), transferred flush provisions relating to abbreviated housing strategies to end of subsection to follow last numbered paragraph.

Subsec. (b)(11) to (15). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(6), (7), added par. (11) and redesignated former pars. (11) to (14) as (12) to (15), respectively. Former par. (15) redesignated (16).

Subsec. (b)(16). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(6), redesignated par. (15) as (16). Former par. (16), relating to housing units that contain lead-based paint hazards, redesignated (17), and former par. (16), relating to number of families to whom jurisdiction will provide affordable housing, redesignated (18).

Pub. L. 105–276, §583(5)(A), substituted "programs;" for "programs." in par. (16) relating to housing units that contain lead-based paint hazards.

Pub. L. 105–276, §583(4)(A), struck out "and" at end of par. (16) relating to number of families to whom jurisdiction will provide affordable housing.

Subsec. (b)(17). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(5)(B), redesignated par. (16), relating to housing units that contain lead-based paint hazards, as (17). Former par. (17), relating to reducing the number of households within a jurisdiction with incomes below the poverty line, redesignated (19), and former par. (17), relating to activities to enhance coordination, redesignated (20).

Subsec. (b)(18). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(4)(B), redesignated par. (16), relating to number of families to whom jurisdiction will provide affordable housing, as (18).

Subsec. (b)(19). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(3), redesignated par. (17), relating to reducing the number of households within a jurisdiction with incomes below the poverty line, as (19).

Subsec. (b)(20). Pub. L. 105–276, §583(2), redesignated par. (17), relating to activities to enhance coordination, as (20).

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 105–276, §568, added subsec. (g).

1992-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102–550, §681(1), inserted "persons with disabilities," after "the elderly,".

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 102–550, §220(a), inserted ", including rural homelessness," after "extent of homelessness" and "including tabular representation of such information," after "with homelessness,".

Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 102–550, §1206, inserted before semicolon at end ", except that, if a State requires a unit of general local government to submit a regulatory barrier assessment that is substantially equivalent to the information required under this paragraph, as determined by the Secretary, the unit of general local government may submit its assessment submitted to the State to the Secretary and shall be considered to have complied with this paragraph".

Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(2), added par. (8). Former par. (8) redesignated (9).

Subsec. (b)(9) to (13). Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(1), redesignated pars. (8) to (12) as (9) to (13), respectively. Former par. (13) redesignated (14).

Subsec. (b)(14). Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(1), redesignated par. (13) as (14). Former par. (14) redesignated (15).

Pub. L. 102–550, §220(b)(1), added par. (14) and struck out former par. (14) which read as follows: "include a certification that the jurisdiction is in compliance with a residential antidisplacement and relocation assistance plan under section 104(d) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (to the extent that such a plan applies to the jurisdiction); and".

Subsec. (b)(15). Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(1), redesignated par. (14) as (15). Former par. (15) redesignated (16).

Subsec. (b)(16). Pub. L. 102–550, §1014(3), added par. (16) relating to housing units that contain lead-based paint hazards.

Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(1), redesignated par. (15) as (16). Former par. (16) redesignated (17).

Pub. L. 102–550, §220(b)(3), added at end par. (16) relating to reducing the number of households within a jurisdiction with incomes below the poverty line.

Subsec. (b)(17). Pub. L. 102–550, §681(2), which directed amendment of subsec. (b) by adding "after paragraph (16), as added by the preceding provisions of this Act", a new par. (17) relating to activities to enhance coordination, was executed by adding that par. (17) after par. (17) (formerly par. (16), relating to reducing the number of households within a jurisdiction with incomes below the poverty line, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 102–550, §220(c)(1), redesignated par. (16), relating to reducing the number of households within a jurisdiction with incomes below the poverty line, as (17).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–550, §1014(4), designated existing provisions as par. (1), inserted heading, and added par. (2).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by title V of Pub. L. 105–276 effective and applicable beginning upon Oct. 1, 1999, except as otherwise provided, with provision that Secretary may implement amendment before such date, except to extent that such amendment provides otherwise, and with savings provision, see section 503 of Pub. L. 105–276, set out as a note under section 1437 of this title.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Amendment by section 220 of Pub. L. 102–550 applicable to unexpended funds allocated under subchapter II of this chapter in fiscal year 1992, except as otherwise specifically provided, see section 223 of Pub. L. 102–550, set out as a note under section 12704 of this title.

Amendment by subtitles B through F of title VI [§§621–685] of Pub. L. 102–550 applicable upon expiration of 6-month period beginning Oct. 28, 1992, except as otherwise provided, see section 13642 of this title.

Housing Supply Frameworks

Pub. L. 119–101, title I, §107, July 11, 2026, 140 Stat. 856 , provided that:

"(a) Definitions.-In this section:

"(1) Affordable housing.-The term 'affordable housing' means housing for which the monthly payment is not more than 30 percent of the monthly income of the household.

"(2) Assistant secretary.-The term 'Assistant Secretary' means the Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"(3) Local zoning framework.-The term 'local zoning framework' means the local zoning codes and other ordinances, procedures, and policies governing zoning and land-use at the local level.

"(4) Secretary.-The term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

"(5) State zoning framework.-The term 'State zoning framework' means the State legislation or State agency and department procedures, or such legislation or procedures in an insular area of the United States, enabling local planning and zoning authorities and establishing and guiding related policies and programs.

"(b) Guidelines on State and Local Zoning Frameworks.-

"(1) In general.-Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act [July 11, 2026], the Assistant Secretary shall publish documents outlining guidelines and best practices to support production of adequate housing to meet the needs of communities and provide housing opportunities for individuals at every income level across communities with respect to-

"(A) State zoning frameworks; and

"(B) local zoning frameworks.

"(2) Consultation; public comment.-During the 2-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, in developing the guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1), the Assistant Secretary shall-

"(A) publish draft guidelines and best practices in the Federal Register for public comment; and

"(B) establish a task force for the purpose of providing consultation to draft the guidelines and best practices published under subparagraph (A), the members of which shall include-

"(i) urban planners and architects;

"(ii) housing developers, including affordable and market-rate housing developers, manufactured housing developers, cooperative housing developers, and other business interests;

"(iii) community engagement experts and community members impacted by zoning decisions;

"(iv) public housing agencies and transit authorities;

"(v) members of local zoning and planning boards and local and regional transportation planning organizations;

"(vi) State officials responsible for housing or land use, including members of State zoning boards of appeals;

"(vii) academic researchers; and

"(viii) home builders.

"(3) Contents.-The guidelines and best practices required under paragraph (1) shall-

"(A) with respect to State zoning frameworks, outline potential models for updated State enabling legislation or State agency and department procedures;

"(B) include recommendations regarding-

"(i) the reduction or elimination of parking minimums;

"(ii) the increase in maximum floor area ratio requirements and maximum building heights and the reduction in minimum lot sizes and set-back requirements;

"(iii) the elimination of restrictions against accessory dwelling units;

"(iv) increasing by-right uses, including duplex, triplex, or quadplex buildings, across cities or metropolitan areas;

"(v) mechanisms, including proximity to transit, to determine the appropriate scope for rezoning and ensure development that does not disproportionately burden residents of economically distressed areas;

"(vi) provisions regarding review of by-right development proposals to streamline review and reduce uncertainty, including-

     "(I) nondiscretionary, ministerial review; and

     "(II) entitlement and design review processes;

"(vii) the reduction of obstacles, regulatory or otherwise, to a range of housing types at all levels of affordability, including manufactured and modular housing;

"(viii) State model zoning regulations for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;

"(ix) provisions to encourage transit-oriented development, including increased permissible units per structure and reduced minimum lot sizes near existing or planned public transit stations;

"(x) potential reforms to strengthen the public engagement process;

"(xi) reforms to protest petition statutes;

"(xii) the standardization, reduction, or elimination of impact fees;

"(xiii) cost-effective and appropriate building codes;

"(xiv) models for community benefit agreements;

"(xv) mechanisms to preserve affordability, limit disruption of low-income communities, and prevent displacement of existing residents;

"(xvi) with respect to State zoning frameworks-

     "(I) State model codes for directing local reforms, including mechanisms to encourage adoption;

     "(II) a model for a State zoning appeals process, which would-

"(aa) create a process for developers or builders requesting a variance, conditional use, special permit, zoning district change, similar discretionary permit, or otherwise petitioning a local zoning or planning board for a project, including a State-defined amount of affordable housing to appeal a rejection to a State body or regional body empowered by the State; and

"(bb) establish qualifications for communities to be exempted from the appeals process based on their available stock of affordable housing; and

     "(III) streamlining of State environmental review policies;

"(xvii) with respect to local zoning frameworks-

     "(I) the simplification and standardization of existing zoning codes;

     "(II) maximum review timelines;

     "(III) best practices for the disposition of land owned by local governments for affordable housing development;

     "(IV) differentiations between best practices for rural, suburban, and urban communities, and communities with different levels of density or population distribution; and

     "(V) streamlining of local environmental review policies; and

"(xviii) other land use measures that promote access to new housing opportunities identified by the Secretary; and

"(C) consider-

"(i) the effects of adopting any recommendation on eligibility for Federal discretionary grants and tax credits for the purpose of housing or community development;

"(ii) coordination between infrastructure investments and housing planning;

"(iii) local housing needs, including ways to set and measure housing goals and targets;

"(iv) a range of affordability for rental units, with a prioritization of units attainable to extremely low-, low-, and moderate-income residents;

"(v) a range of affordability for homeownership;

"(vi) accountability measures;

"(vii) the long-term cost to residents and businesses if more housing is not constructed;

"(viii) barriers to individuals seeking to access affordable housing in growing communities and communities with economic opportunity;

"(ix) with respect to State zoning frameworks-

     "(I) distinctions between States providing constitutional or statutory home rule authority to municipalities and States operating under the Dillon Rule, as articulated in Hunter v. Pittsburgh, 207 U.S. 161 (1907); and

     "(II) Statewide mechanisms to preserve existing affordability over the long term, including support for land banks and community land trusts;

"(x) public comments elicited under paragraph (2)(A); and

"(xi) other considerations, as identified by the Assistant Secretary.

"(c) Abolishment of the Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse.-

"(1) In general.-The Regulatory Barriers Clearinghouse established pursuant to section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is abolished.

"(2) Repeal.-Section 1205 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 U.S.C. 12705d) is repealed.

"(d) Reporting.-Not later than 5 years after the date on which the Assistant Secretary publishes the final guidelines and best practices for State and local zoning frameworks under this section, the Assistant Secretary shall submit to Congress a report describing-

"(1) the States that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);

"(2) a summary of the localities that have adopted recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, pursuant to subsection (b);

"(3) a list of States that adopted a State zoning framework;

"(4) a summary of the modifications that each State has made in their State zoning framework;

"(5) a general summary of the types of updates localities have made to their local zoning framework;

"(6) with respect to the States that have adopted a State zoning framework or recommendations from the guidelines and best practices, the effect of such adoptions; and

"(7) a summary of any recommendations that were routinely not adopted by States or by localities.

"(e) Rule of Construction.-Nothing in this section may be construed to permit the Department of Housing and Urban Development to take an adverse action against or fail to provide otherwise offered actions or services for any State or locality if the State or locality declines to adopt a guideline or best practice under subsection (b)."