2021 has seen the passage of two major pieces of federal legislation: the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). However, there is one additional major piece of legislation working its way through Congress: the Build Back Better Act.

On November 19, the House passed the Build Back Better Act (BBBA) by a vote of 220-213. The $1.75 trillion package includes funds for childcare, preschool education, paid parental leave, climate change, housing stability, and much more.

Below are some key highlights of programs and funds created under the BBBA:

• $873 million to establish a rural Partnership Program through the USDA which will enhance rural communities’ access to community and economic development funding.
• $150 billion in affordable housing investments including Community Development Block Grants, Housing Choice Vouchers, and Community Restoration and Revitalization Funds.
• $17.8 billion investment in programs to mitigate air pollution including competitive grants for community wildfire air projects, zero-emission vehicles, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from domestic electricity generation.
• $400 billion to create a federal-state partnership to provide universal preschool and expand access to affordable childcare.
• $2.5 billion to support evidence-informed intervention strategies to reduce community violence, and to support training and technical assistance for effective approaches by localities.

A full analysis of the BBBA is available through the National Association of Counties. The bill currently awaits a hearing and vote in the U.S. Senate.