Grants for research and pilot projects

(a) Authority The Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary of Housing Innovation, shall carry out a program to make grants under this section to eligible partnerships for the purposes of carrying out research and pilot studies to support, inform, and advise local governments on their plans for new housing and community development. (b) Eligible partnerships For purposes of this section, the term eligible partnership means a partnership of entities and institutions that includes at least one of the following entities: (1) A unit of local government. (2) A college, university, or other research institution. (3) A nonprofit organization. (c) Use Amounts from a grant under this section may only be used for research and pilot studies that are designed to study and investigate activities and measures for improving housing and commuting for the workforce in a community, including— (1) measures to improve the commuting experience between transit stations and homes (commonly referred to as the last mile); (2) programs for accommodating higher education students within the community; (3) programs for facilitating home-sharing for elderly residents; (4) plans and measures for integrating business and commercial activity with residential neighborhoods; (5) plans and measures for increasing transportation options improving mobility within residential neighborhoods; (6) programs for learning and disseminating information about modular building techniques and other approaches to reducing housing construction costs; (7) plans or programs for improving public health through changes in the built environment, such as safer streets that are more conducive and welcoming to pedestrian activity; (8) measures to evaluate the impact of housing development in the community on the long-term social mobility and economic prospects of residents; and (9) such other measures, plans, and activities as applicants may propose, but only if the Secretary approves such proposals as consistent with the goals under section 4(c). (d) Limitations on amount A grant under this section for an eligible partnership may not exceed the lesser of— (1) $500,000; or (2) in the case only of an eligible partnership that has previously received a grant under this section, the amount that the eligible partnership certifies, as the Secretary shall require, that the partnership will contribute from non-Federal sources for activities described in subsection (c) that are assisted with such grant amounts.