Urban Workforce Mobility and Anti-Poverty Partnership Act of 2027

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “Urban Workforce Mobility and Anti-Poverty Partnership Act of 2027”.

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.

Congress finds the following:

1. Many urban congressional districts with poverty rates exceeding 15 percent experience persistent economic challenges, including limited access to employment, skills mismatches resulting from technological and industry changes, and interrelated barriers such as housing instability, inadequate childcare, and transportation limitations.

2. These barriers contribute to workforce shortages in high-demand industries affecting interstate commerce, including aviation, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, energy, and technology, resulting in supply chain disruptions and reduced economic productivity across State lines.

3. Certain urban congressional districts experience disproportionately higher poverty rates among single-parent households, veterans, lawful immigrants, and individuals with disabilities, contributing to persistent labor shortages and constrained economic mobility.

4. Federal workforce development programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) provide an essential framework for employment and training services but often lack district-specific, coalition-driven approaches that integrate workforce development with supportive services in high-poverty urban areas.

5. Evidence from State and local partnership models demonstrates that targeted investments in coordinated workforce training, supportive services, and employer engagement can increase employment, raise wages, reduce reliance on public assistance, and strengthen local and regional economies.

SECTION 3. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM.

(a) In General.

The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, shall establish and administer a competitive grant program to award grants to eligible entities in qualifying urban congressional districts to establish or expand Poverty-to-Prosperity Coalitions.

(b) Purpose.

Grants awarded under this Act shall be used to—

1. increase employment in high-demand occupations;

2. improve economic mobility and family-sustaining wages;

3. reduce poverty and reliance on public assistance; and

4. strengthen local and regional labor markets affecting interstate commerce.

(c) Authorization of Appropriations.

There are authorized to be appropriated $300,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2030 to carry out this Act. Amounts appropriated under this subsection shall remain available until expended.

The authority to award grants under this Act shall terminate on September 30, 2030, unless reauthorized by Congress following the evaluation required under section 6(b).

SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

1. Coalition.—The term “Poverty-to-Prosperity Coalition” means a partnership of public and private entities that coordinates workforce development, supportive services, and employer engagement within a qualifying district.

2. Eligible Entity.—The term “eligible entity” means—

   • (A) a local workforce development board (as defined in section 3(13) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act);

   • (B) an institution of higher education or community college;

   • (C) a nonprofit organization with demonstrated experience in workforce development or anti-poverty services; or

   • (D) a partnership that includes at least one employer, one educational institution, one nonprofit or faith-based organization, and one unit of local government.

3. Qualifying District.—The term “qualifying district” means a congressional district in which—

   • (A) the poverty rate exceeds 15 percent, as determined by the most recent 5-year American Community Survey; and

   • (B) not less than 75 percent of the population resides in urbanized areas, as defined by the Bureau of the Census.

4. Secretary.—The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Labor.

SECTION 5. USE OF FUNDS.

(a) Required Activities.

An eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall use grant funds to carry out the following activities:

1. Provide subsidized apprenticeships, paid internships, occupational training, or retraining aligned with high-demand industries in the qualifying district.

2. Provide or coordinate wraparound supportive services, including—

   • childcare assistance;

   • transportation assistance;

   • housing stability services; and

   • referrals for mental health and basic needs support.

3. Provide career navigation, case management, and job placement services leading to employment paying not less than 175 percent of the Federal poverty level for a family of four.

4. Engage employers to create or expand registered apprenticeship programs and on-the-job training opportunities.

5. Conduct targeted outreach and provide reasonable accommodations to ensure access for populations facing significant barriers to employment, including veterans, lawful immigrants, and individuals with disabilities.

(b) Permitted Activities.

An eligible entity may use not more than 15 percent of grant funds for—

1. needs assessments and data collection;

2. coalition coordination and capacity building;

3. performance tracking and evaluation; and

4. innovation pilots related to emerging technologies aligned with local workforce needs.

(c) Limitations.

1. Not less than 70 percent of grant funds shall be used for direct participant services.

2. Administrative costs shall not exceed 7 percent of grant funds.

SECTION 6. APPLICATION, SELECTION, AND OVERSIGHT.

(a) Application.

An eligible entity seeking a grant under this Act shall submit an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require, including—

1. a district-specific needs assessment;

2. a description of coalition governance and partner roles;

3. measurable performance goals; and

4. evidence of matching funds equal to not less than 40 percent of total project costs, which may include cash or in-kind contributions.

(b) Selection Priority.

In awarding grants under this Act, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that—

1. demonstrate strong employer engagement;

2. target populations facing the greatest employment barriers;

3. align activities with State and local workforce plans; and

4. ensure equitable access to services.

(c) Supplement Not Supplant.

Funds made available under this Act shall supplement, and not supplant, Federal, State, or local funds otherwise available for workforce development or anti-poverty activities.

SECTION 7. REPORTING, EVALUATION, AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

(a) Annual Reports.

Each eligible entity receiving a grant under this Act shall submit an annual report to the Secretary containing information on—

1. the number of participants served;

2. employment outcomes and wage gains; and

3. program costs and cost-effectiveness.

(b) Evaluation.

Not later than 3 years after the first grants are awarded, the Secretary shall conduct an independent evaluation of the program, including—

1. impacts on employment and economic mobility;

2. changes in poverty rates within qualifying districts; and

3. taxpayer return on investment.

(c) Oversight and Repayment.

The Inspector General of the Department of Labor shall conduct periodic audits of grants awarded under this Act.

The Secretary may require repayment of grant funds from an eligible entity that, absent extraordinary economic circumstances, fails to meet minimum performance standards established by the Secretary.

SECTION 8. EFFECTIVE DATE.

This Act shall take effect on the date of enactment.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer

The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, ideas, and priorities of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office. These proposals are conceptual and subject to revision, legislative process, legal review, and constitutional constraints.
Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome. Any proposed legislation would require debate, amendment, and approval through the appropriate legislative bodies.

References to budgets, outcomes, timelines, or enforcement mechanisms are illustrative and intended to communicate policy intent, not final statutory language.

Legislative Proposal Disclaimer

The policies and legislative proposals presented on this website reflect the goals, ideas, and priorities of Oxford C.F. Nordberg as a candidate for public office. These proposals are conceptual and subject to revision, legislative process, legal review, and constitutional constraints.
Nothing on this website should be interpreted as enacted law, legal advice, or a guarantee of legislative outcome. Any proposed legislation would require debate, amendment, and approval through the appropriate legislative bodies.

References to budgets, outcomes, timelines, or enforcement mechanisms are illustrative and intended to communicate policy intent, not final statutory language.