[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 7 (Wednesday, February 2, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 McKINNEY HOMELESS ASSISTANCE AND PREVENTION FORMULA GRANTS AMENDMENTS 
                              ACT OF 1994

                                 ______


                           HON. MARGE ROUKEMA

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 2, 1994

  Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, today my colleague from Pennsylvania, Mr. 
Ridge, and I are introducing legislation which would create a block 
grant program for that part of the McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 
which covers the emergency shelter grants program and the supportive 
housing programs.
  This legislation is similar to legislation we have introduced and 
supported in the past. This initiative will inject much needed 
community flexibility into the Federal homeless assistance programs 
administered by HUD.
  Although we have long supported efforts to help end the tragedy of 
homelessness and have been supporters of the McKinney Act, we are 
concerned that our current approach, which maintains the program as a 
nationally competitive program with somewhat arbitrarily set 
categorical funding levels, fails to recognize the unique differences 
of our communities and the different needs which each community 
experiences with its homeless housing programs. We also believe that 
the current structure of the homeless program falls short of the 
integrated and coordinated strategy which local communities must 
establish if their efforts are to be successful.
  To its credit, the new administration has demonstrated an increased 
commitment to ending homelessness and has suggested that funding levels 
for the McKinney programs be greatly increased. However, I believe this 
approach will only serve to further segregate the effort against 
homelessness from the long-term housing and community development goals 
being pursued by our communities. More Federal funds with no increased 
local participation will continue to make the solutions of homelessness 
a federal responsibility.
  A modified block grant will ensure that funds will be used in the 
most efficient and direct manner possible. Under our legislation, the 
number of winners and losers under the categorical approach is greatly 
reduced and more communities will receive funds to help combat 
homelessness.
  Our legislation only targets the emergency shelter grant program and 
the supportive housing program and ensures that the local communities 
will receive the funds necessary to carry out their comprehensive 
housing strategies. Our bill is based on the testimony of many 
community groups and is based on past support enunciated by the 
National League of Cities and the National Association of Counties.
  Our bill is designed to ensure that the leaders of homeless programs, 
those on the front lines, who know best how to serve the homeless in 
their community, not just experienced grant writers and Federal fund 
hunters, benefit the most from the Federal appropriation.
  Our formula block grant, which is based on the standard CDBG formula, 
will allocate 80 percent of the funds to cities, urban counties and 
consortia, and 20 percent to the states. Allocation under this proposal 
will result in a more equitable distribution of funds, targeted more 
effectively to areas that need assistance.
  The block grant approach assures that all State and local homeless 
assistance grant recipients will be given a minimum grant amount of at 
least .05 percent of the total available funds. The block grant 
approach also offers the distinct advantage in providing local 
governments a continuous source of known funds which can help 
communities develop effective strategies and plug this assured amount 
of Federal funds into their other sources of homeless assistance. This 
certainty is lost if a grantee, after going to the great time and 
expense of preparation and submission of a competitive categorical 
application, loses out.
  The Roukema/Ridge bill does not reduce the funding levels for the 
McKinney Act and complements existing local and State homeless programs 
by providing as guaranteed amount of funds.
  Through the McKinney Act, Congress made it clear that the Federal 
Government has a role in sheltering and servicing our growing homeless 
population. These funds are necessary. But It certainly does not mean 
that the Federal Government knows best how to spend these funds in each 
community. Congress should set the parameters and local leaders should 
decide what are the essential services. Now that the McKinney Act is 
established and providing assistance, we believe this modified block 
grant approach should be implemented to allow local communities this 
greater flexibility to spend the funds.

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