Federal guidelines for point-access block buildings

(a) In general Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue guidelines to provide States, territories, Tribes, and localities with model code language, best practices, and technical guidance that could be used to facilitate the permitting of point-access block residential buildings. (b) Contents When developing the guidelines under subsection (a), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consider— (1) fire safety considerations, including sprinkler coverage, smoke detection, ventilation, and building egress performance; (2) construction costs and potential impacts on housing affordability, including the potential for increasing housing supply in high-cost jurisdictions; (3) flexibility for diverse consumer needs, including family sizes, unit configurations, and accessibility; (4) examples of single-stair codes adopted or considered by States and cities in the United States; (5) examples of single-stair codes used in relevant international standards; (6) research and model language relating to single-stair codes produced by organizations that focus on point-access block building design and building-code reform; (7) consulting with experts, including developers, architects, fire marshals, researchers, economists, housing authorities, and officials in States that have enacted or piloted single-stair codes; and (8) alternative methods of safety compliance, including options that utilize additional passive or active safety features. (c) Coordination with the international code council The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall coordinate with the International Code Council to encourage the International Code Council to incorporate provisions about point-access block buildings into the International Building Code. (d) Grants (1) In general The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may establish a program to award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement pilot projects that evaluate, demonstrate, or validate the safety, feasibility, or cost-effectiveness of point-access block residential buildings. (2) Sunset The program established under paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of this subsection. (e) Treatment of projects Projects assisted under this section shall be treated as projects assisted under the Community Development Block Grant program under title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq.). (f) Rule of construction Nothing in this section may be construed to preempt a State or local building code. (g) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a State, unit of local government, Tribal Government, public housing agency, nonprofit housing organization, community development organization, private developer, construction firm, qualified design firm, engineering firm, academic institution, research institution, or any partnership or consortium comprised of 2 or more such types of entities. (2) Point-access block building The term point-access block building means a Group R–2 occupancy residential structure, as such term is defined by the International Building Code, in which a single internal stairway provides access and egress for all dwelling units in a building that is not greater than 6 stories in height.