1.
This Act may be cited as the
Services for Ending Long-Term
Homelessness Act
.
2.
Congress makes the following
findings:
(1)
Nationally, there are
approximately 200,000 to 250,000 people who experience chronic homelessness,
including some families with children. Chronically homeless people often live
in shelters or on the streets for years at a time, experience repeated episodes
of homelessness without achieving housing stability, or cycle between
homelessness, jails, mental health facilities, and hospitals.
(2)
The President’s New Freedom
Commission on Mental Health recommended the development and implementation of a
comprehensive plan designed to facilitate access to 150,000 units of permanent
supportive housing for consumers and families who are chronically homeless. The
Commission found that affordable housing alone is insufficient for many people
with severe mental illness, and that flexible, mobile, individualized support
services are also necessary to support and sustain consumers in their
housing.
(3)
Congress and the President
have set a goal of ending chronic homelessness in 10 years.
(4)
Permanent supportive housing
is a proven and cost effective solution to chronic homelessness. A recent study
by the University of Pennsylvania found that each unit of supportive housing
for homeless people with mental illness in New York City resulted in public
savings of $16,281 per year in systems of care such as mental health, human
services, health care, veterans’ affairs, and corrections.
(5)
Current programs for funding
services in permanent supportive housing, other than those administered by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development, were not designed to be closely
coordinated with housing resources, nor were they designed to meet the multiple
needs of people who are chronically homeless.
3.
Duties of administrator of substance abuse and mental health
Services administration
Section 501(d) of the
Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C.
290aa(d)) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (17), by
striking and
at the end;
(2)
in paragraph (18), by
striking the period and inserting ; and
; and
(3)
by adding at the end the
following:
(19)
collaborate with Federal
departments and programs that are part of the President’s Interagency Council
on Homelessness, particularly the Department of Housing and Urban Development,
the Department of Labor, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, and with other
agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services, particularly the
Health Resources and Services Administration, the Administration on Children
and Families, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, to design
national strategies for providing services in supportive housing that will
assist in ending chronic homelessness and to implement programs that address
chronic homelessness.
.
4.
Grants for Services for chronically homeless individuals in
supportive housing
Title V of the
Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C.
290aa et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
J
Grants for Services to end chronic homelessness
596.
Grants for Services to end chronic homelessness
(a)
(1)
The Secretary shall make
grants to entities described in paragraph (2) for the purpose of carrying out
projects to provide the services described in subsection (d) to chronically
homeless individuals in permanent supportive housing.
(2)
For purposes of paragraph
(1), an entity described in this paragraph is—
(A)
a State or political
subdivision of a State, an Indian tribe or tribal organization, or a public or
nonprofit private entity, including a community-based provider of homelessness
services, health care, housing, or other services important to individuals
experiencing chronic homelessness; or
(B)
a consortium composed of
entities described in subparagraph (A), which consortium includes a public or
nonprofit private entity that serves as the lead applicant and has
responsibility for coordinating the activities of the consortium.
(b)
In making grants under
subsection (a), the Secretary shall give priority to applicants demonstrating
that the applicants—
(1)
target funds to individuals
or families who—
(A)
have been homeless for
longer periods of time or have experienced more episodes of homelessness than
are required to meet the definition of chronic homelessness under this
section;
(B)
have high rates of
utilization of emergency public systems of care; or
(C)
have a history of
interactions with law enforcement and the criminal justice system;
(2)
have greater funding
commitments from State or local government agencies responsible for overseeing
mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, medical care, and
employment (including commitments to provide Federal funds in accordance with
subsection (e)(2)(B)(ii));
(3)
will provide for an
increase in the number of units of permanent supportive housing that would
serve chronically homeless individuals in the community as a result of an award
of a grant under subsection (a); and
(4)
have demonstrated
experience providing services to address the mental health and substance abuse
problems of chronically homeless individuals living in permanent supportive
housing settings.
(c)
The Secretary shall ensure
that consideration is given to geographic distribution (such as urban and rural
areas) in the awarding of grants under subsection (a).
(d)
The services referred to in
subsection (a) are the following:
(1)
Services provided by the
grantee or by qualified subcontractors that promote recovery and
self-sufficiency and address barriers to housing stability, including but not
limited to the following:
(A)
Mental health services,
including treatment and recovery support services.
(B)
Substance abuse treatment
and recovery support services, including counseling, treatment planning,
recovery coaching, and relapse prevention.
(C)
Integrated, coordinated
treatment and recovery support services for co-occurring disorders.
(D)
Health education, including
referrals for medical and dental care.
(E)
Services designed to help
individuals make progress toward self-sufficiency and recovery, including
benefits advocacy, money management, life-skills training, self-help programs,
and engagement and motivational interventions.
(F)
Parental skills and family
support.
(G)
Case management.
(H)
Other supportive services
that promote an end to chronic homelessness.
(I)
Coordination or partnership
with other agencies, programs, or mainstream benefits to maximize the
availability of services and resources to meet the needs of chronically
homeless persons living in supportive housing using cost-effective approaches
that avoid duplication.
(J)
Data collection and
measuring performance outcomes as specified in subsection (k).
(2)
Services, as described in
paragraph (1), that are delivered to individuals and families who are
chronically homeless and who are scheduled to become residents of permanent
supportive housing within 90 days pending the location or development of an
appropriate unit of housing.
(3)
For individuals and
families who are otherwise eligible, and who have voluntarily chosen to seek
other housing opportunities after a period of tenancy in supportive housing,
services, as described in paragraph (1), that are delivered, for a period of 90
days after exiting permanent supportive housing or until the individuals have
transitioned to comprehensive services adequate to meet their current needs,
provided that the purpose of the services is to support the individuals in
their choice to transition into housing that is responsive to their individual
needs and preferences.
(e)
(1)
A condition for the receipt
of a grant under subsection (a) is that, with respect to the cost of the
project to be carried out by an applicant pursuant to such subsection, the
applicant agree as follows:
(A)
In the case of the initial
grant pursuant to subsection (j)(1)(A), the applicant will, in accordance with
paragraphs (2) and (3), make available contributions toward such costs in an
amount that is not less than $1 for each $3 of Federal funds provided in the
grant.
(B)
In the case of a renewal
grant pursuant to subsection (j)(1)(B), the applicant will, in accordance with
paragraphs (2) and (3), make available contributions toward such costs in an
amount that is not less than $1 for each $1 of Federal funds provided in the
grant.
(2)
For purposes of paragraph
(1), contributions made by an applicant are in accordance with this paragraph
if made as follows:
(A)
The contribution is made
from funds of the applicant or from donations from public or private
entities.
(B)
Of the contribution—
(i)
not less than 80 percent is
from non-Federal funds; and
(ii)
not more than 20 percent is
from Federal funds provided under programs that—
(I)
are not expressly directed
at services for homeless individuals, but whose purposes are broad enough to
include the provision of a service or services described in subsection (d) as
authorized expenditures under such program; and
(II)
do not prohibit Federal
funds under the program from being used to provide a contribution that is
required as a condition for obtaining Federal funds.
(3)
Determination of amount contributed
Contributions required in
paragraph (1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant,
equipment, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services
assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may
not be included in determining the amount of non-Federal contributions required
in paragraph (2)(B)(i).
(f)
A condition for the receipt
of a grant under subsection (a) is that the applicant involved agree that not
more than 10 percent of the grant will be expended for administrative expenses
with respect to the grant. Expenses for data collection and measuring
performance outcomes as specified in subsection (k) shall not be considered as
administrative expenses subject to the limitation in this subsection.
(g)
Notwithstanding other
provisions of this section, a grantee under subsection (a) may expend not more
than 20 percent of the grant to provide the services described in subsection
(d) to homeless individuals who are not chronically homeless.
(h)
A grant may be made under
subsection (a) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the
Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such manner, and
contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the Secretary
determines to be necessary to carry out this section.
(i)
A condition for the receipt
of a grant under subsection (a) is that the applicant involved demonstrate the
following:
(1)
The applicant and all
direct providers of services have the experience, infrastructure, and expertise
needed to ensure the quality and effectiveness of services, which may be
demonstrated by any of the following:
(A)
Compliance with all local,
city, county, or State requirements for licensing, accreditation, or
certification (if any) which are applicable to the proposed project.
(B)
A minimum of two years
experience providing comparable services that do not require licensing,
accreditation, or certification.
(C)
Certification as a Medicaid
service provider, including health care for the homeless programs and community
health centers.
(D)
An executed agreement with
a relevant State or local government agency that will provide oversight over
the mental health, substance abuse, or other services that will be delivered by
the project.
(2)
There is a mechanism for
determining whether residents are chronically homeless. Such a mechanism may
rely on local data systems or records of shelter admission. If there are no
sources of data regarding the duration or number of homeless episodes, or if
such data are unreliable for the purposes of this subsection, an applicant must
demonstrate that the project will implement appropriate procedures, taking into
consideration the capacity of local homeless service providers to document
episodes of homelessness and the challenges of engaging persons who have been
chronically homeless, to verify that an individual or family meets the
definition for being chronically homeless under this section.
(3)
The applicant participates
in a local, regional, or statewide homeless management information
system.
(j)
Duration of initial and renewal grants; additional provisions
regarding renewal grants
(1)
Subject to paragraphs (2)
and (3), the period during which payments are made to a grantee under
subsection (a) shall be in accordance with the following:
(A)
In the case of the initial
grant, the period of payments shall be not less than three years and not more
than five years.
(B)
In the case of a subsequent
grant (referred to in this subsection as a renewal grant
), the
period of payments shall be not more than five years.
(2)
Annual approval; availability of appropriations; number of
grants
The provision of payments
under an initial or renewal grant is subject to annual approval by the
Secretary of the payments and to the availability of appropriations for the
fiscal year involved to make the payments. This subsection may not be construed
as establishing a limitation on the number of grants under subsection (a) that
may be made to an entity.
(3)
Additional provisions regarding renewal grants
(A)
Compliance with minimum standards
A renewal grant may be made
by the Secretary only if the Secretary determines that the applicant involved
has, in the project carried out with the grant, maintained compliance with
minimum standards for quality and successful outcomes for housing retention, as
determined by the Secretary.
(B)
The maximum amount of a
renewal grant under this subsection shall not exceed an amount equal to—
(i)
75 percent of the amount of
Federal funds provided in the final year of the initial grant period; or
(ii)
50 percent of the total
costs of sustaining the program funded under the grant at the level provided
for in the year preceding the year for which the renewal grant is being
awarded;
as determined by the Secretary.
(k)
Strategic performance outcomes and reports
(1)
The Secretary shall, as a
condition of the receipt of grants under subsection (a), require grantees to
provide data regarding the performance outcomes of the projects carried out
under the grants. Consistent with the requirements and procedures established
by the Secretary, each grantee shall measure and report specific performance
outcomes related to the long-term goals of increasing stability within the
community for people who have been chronically homeless, and decreasing the
recurrence of periods of homelessness.
(2)
The performance outcomes
described under paragraph (1) shall include, with respect to individuals who
have been chronically homeless—
(A)
improvements in housing
stability;
(B)
improvements in employment
and education;
(C)
reductions in problems
related to substance abuse;
(D)
reductions in problems
related to mental health disorders; and
(E)
other areas as the
Secretary determines appropriate.
(3)
Coordination and consistency with other homeless assistance
programs
(A)
In establishing strategic
performance outcomes and reporting requirements under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall develop and implement procedures that minimize the costs and
burdens to grantees and program participants, and that are practical,
streamlined, and designed for consistency with the requirements of the homeless
assistance programs administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban
Development.
(B)
Applicants under this
section shall coordinate with community stakeholders, including participants in
the local homeless management information system, concerning the development of
systems to measure performance outcomes and with the Secretary for assistance
with data collection and measurements activities.
(4)
A grantee shall submit an
annual report to the Secretary that—
(A)
identifies the grantee’s
progress towards achieving its strategic performance outcomes; and
(B)
describes other activities
conducted by the grantee to increase the participation, housing stability, and
other improvements in outcomes for individuals who have been chronically
homeless.
(l)
Training and technical assistance
The Secretary, directly or
through awards of grants or contracts to public or nonprofit private entities,
shall provide training and technical assistance regarding the planning,
development, and provision of services in projects under subsection (a).
(m)
Biennial reports to Congress
Not later than two years
after the date of the enactment of the Services for Ending Long-Term
Homelessness Act, and biennially thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the
Congress a report on projects under subsection (a) that includes a summary of
information received by the Secretary under subsection (k), and that describes
the impact of the program under subsection (a) as part of a comprehensive
strategy for ending long term homelessness and improving outcomes for
individuals with mental illness and substance abuse problems.
(n)
For purposes of this
section:
(1)
The term chronically
homeless means an individual or family who—
(A)
is currently
homeless;
(B)
has been homeless
continuously for at least one year or has been homeless on at least four
separate occasions in the last three years; and
(C)
has an adult head of
household with a disabling condition, defined as a diagnosable substance use
disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability, or chronic physical
illness or disability, including the co-occurrence of two or more of these
conditions.
(2)
The term disabling
condition means a condition that limits an individual’s ability to work
or perform one or more activities of daily living.
(3)
The term
homeless means sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation
or in an emergency homeless shelter.
(4)
(A)
The term permanent
supportive housing means permanent, affordable housing with flexible
support services that are available and designed to help the tenants stay
housed and build the necessary skills to live as independently as possible.
Such term does not include housing that is time-limited. Supportive housing
offers residents assistance in reaching their full potential, which may include
opportunities to secure other housing that meets their needs and preferences,
based on individual choice instead of the requirements of time-limited
transitional programs. Under this section, permanent affordable housing
includes but is not limited to permanent housing funded or assisted through
title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and section (8) of the
United States Housing Act of
1937.
(B)
For purposes of
subparagraph (A), the term affordable means within the financial
means of individuals who are extremely low income, as defined by the Secretary
of Housing and Urban Development.
(o)
(1)
Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.
(2)
Allocation for training and technical assistance
Of the amount appropriated
under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve not more than
3 percent for carrying out subsection (l).
.