10/12/2026
At KAITKARES, our mission has always been rooted in one simple belief: No family should have to experience the heartbreak of losing someone they love in a preventable fire.
We want to bring awareness to the Public Housing Fire Safety Act (S. 5580), introduced by U.S. Senator Tina Smith, with Senator Amy Klobuchar as a cosponsor.
This proposed legislation would establish a federal grant program to help eligible public housing communities install automatic fire sprinkler systems, particularly in older buildings that are exempt from certain existing sprinkler requirements. It would also improve reporting on sprinkler protection in public housing.
Why does this matter?
Because fire does not discriminate. Because seconds matter. Because smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, escape plans, and education can mean the difference between life and death.
As a mother who lost her daughter Kaitlyn in an apartment fire, I know firsthand the unimaginable devastation that follows. Her life and legacy are the driving force behind KAITKARES and our continued commitment to fire safety education and advocacy.
Awareness is where change begins.
We encourage everyone to learn more about S. 5580, share this information, and make their voices heard.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
• Read about the proposed legislation and understand what it would accomplish.
• Contact your U.S. senators and representatives to share your thoughts about fire sprinkler protection and residential fire safety.
• Encourage conversations in your community about protecting families in apartments, public housing, and other multifamily residences.
• Share this message to help bring greater awareness to the importance of fire prevention.
Legislation is only one piece of the puzzle. Education, prevention, community involvement, and continued advocacy are equally important.
For Kaitlyn. For Joseph. For every family. For every life that can be saved.
KAITKARES — Turning heartbreak into hope, awareness, and action.
www.kaitkares.org
Learn more about S. 5580: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5580
S. 5580 — Public Housing Fire Safety Act
Full text of the bill as introduced in the U.S. Senate, September 29, 2026. Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (GovInfo).
Official version: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/BILLS-119s5580is
119th CONGRESS — 2d Session — S. 5580
To establish a grant program to provide amounts to public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in public housing, and for other purposes.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
September 29, 2026
Ms. Smith (for herself and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
A BILL
To establish a grant program to provide amounts to public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in public housing, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Public Housing Fire Safety Act”.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act—
(1) the term “automatic sprinkler system” has the meaning given the term in section 31(a) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(a));
(2) the term “Capital Fund” means the Capital Fund established under section 9(d) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g(d));
(3) the term “exempted public housing project” means a public housing project that—
(A) is not a newly constructed multifamily property, as defined in section 31(c)(2)(A)(ii) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(c)(2)(A)(ii)); and
(B) is not subject to the requirements under section 31(c) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(c));
(4) the terms “public housing” and “public housing agency” have the meanings given those terms in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)); and
(5) the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
SEC. 3. INSPECTIONS OF PUBLIC HOUSING.
(a) In General.—With respect to inspections of public housing conducted by the Secretary, including through the Real Estate Assessment Center, the Secretary shall report on the presence or absence of automatic sprinkler systems in the public housing.
(b) Report.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall, based on inspections of public housing conducted during the 3-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, submit to Congress a report on the presence or absence of automatic sprinkler systems in public housing, in particular in exempted public housing projects, which shall include recommendations to improve fire safety in exempted public housing projects.
(c) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a public housing agency to install an automatic sprinkler system in an exempted public housing project.
SEC. 4. GRANT PROGRAM TO RETROFIT PUBLIC HOUSING WITH AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER SYSTEMS.
(a) Establishment.—The Secretary shall establish a competitive grant program under which the Secretary shall award grants to public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in exempted public housing projects.
(b) Limitation.—A public housing agency may not use amounts received under this section to install automatic sprinkler systems in a rebuilt multifamily property, as defined in section 31(c)(2)(B)(iii) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2227(c)(2)(B)(iii)).
(c) Authorization of Appropriations.—In addition to amounts appropriated to the Capital Fund under any other provision of law, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Capital Fund $25,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2036 to carry out this section.
Official Publications from the U.S. Government Publishing Office.
