Interagency agreement to evaluate on-site child care in affordable housing

(a) In general The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, acting through the Office of Native American Programs, shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administration for Children and Families, to evaluate outcomes associated with the co-location of child care services within affordable housing developments receiving assistance under programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. (b) Scope of evaluation The evaluation required under subsection (a) shall assess the extent to which the availability of on-site child care in affordable housing developments— (1) improves housing stability for low-income families; (2) increases workforce participation and employment retention among residents; (3) supports early childhood development and school readiness; (4) reduces barriers to accessing child care, including cost, transportation, and availability; and (5) produces other measurable outcomes for families, including impacts on health, economic mobility, and family well-being. (c) Consultation In carrying out this section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consult with Indian tribes (as defined in section 4 of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4103)), tribally designated housing entities (as defined in that section), the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands (as defined in section 801 of that Act (25 U.S.C. 4221)), public housing agencies, and other relevant stakeholders, as appropriate. (d) Report to Congress Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Indian Affairs of the Senate, and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives a report that— (1) summarizes the findings of the evaluation conducted under subsection (a); and (2) includes recommendations for administrative, regulatory, and legislative actions to improve access to affordable, high-quality child care for families residing in housing assisted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, including in Native communities.