The "Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2025" requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant program aimed at mitigating excess urban heat. This program will provide funding to eligible entities for projects designed to address the causes and impacts of higher temperatures in urban areas. The bill recognizes that extreme heat is a significant public health threat, disproportionately affecting underserved communities, and leading to various economic and environmental challenges.

Eligible projects encompass a range of interventions, including tree planting and maintenance, the installation of cool pavements and roofs, and the creation of shade structures and cooling centers. The program also supports community outreach, education, and the development of urban forestry master plans. A substantial portion, not less than 75 percent, of the grant funds must be directed towards projects in covered census tracts, which are defined by high poverty rates or historical redlining.

Priority for grant awards will be given to entities serving these vulnerable communities or those with lower tree canopy and higher summer temperatures. The Federal share for projects is generally 80 percent, with a potential waiver to 100 percent for entities demonstrating economic hardship. An oversight board will be established to help select recipients, review progress, and evaluate project effectiveness, ensuring accountability and impact.

The bill authorizes an appropriation of $30,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2033 to fund these critical urban heat mitigation efforts. This funding aims to build resilience to extreme weather events, reduce the urban heat island effect, and improve overall community well-being.