[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 184 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8937-H8939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FOSTERING STABLE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2019
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
bill (H.R. 4300) to provide Federal housing assistance on behalf of
youths who are aging out of foster care, and for other purposes, as
amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 4300
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 ``Fostering Stable Housing
Opportunities Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF FAMILY.
Subparagraph (A) of section 3(b)(3) of the United States
Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(3)(A)) is amended--
(1) in the first sentence--
(A) by striking ``(v)'' and inserting ``(vi)''; and
(B) by inserting after ``tenant family,'' the following:
``(v) a youth described in section 8(x)(2)(B),''; and
(2) in the second sentence, by inserting ``or (vi)'' after
``clause (v)''.
SEC. 3. HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHERS FOR FOSTERING STABLE HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES.
(a) Assistance for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care.--Section
8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(x)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``subject to paragraph
(5),'' after ``(B)'';
(2) in paragraph (3)--
(A) by striking ``(3) Allocation.--The'' and inserting the
following:
``(3) Allocation.--
``(A) In general.--The''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(B) Assistance for youth aging out of foster care.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
shall, subject only to the availability of funds, allocate
such assistance to any public housing agencies that (i)
administer assistance pursuant to paragraph (2)(B), or seek
to administer such assistance, consistent with procedures
established by the Secretary, (ii) have requested such
assistance so that they may provide timely assistance to
eligible youth, and (iii) have submitted to the Secretary a
statement describing how the agency will connect assisted
youths with local community resources and self-sufficiency
services, to the extent they are available, and obtain
referrals from public child welfare agencies regarding youths
in foster care who become eligible for such assistance.'';
(3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (6); and
(4) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new
paragraph:
``(5) Requirements for assistance for youth aging out of
foster care.--Assistance provided under this subsection for
an eligible youth pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be
subject to the following requirements:
``(A) Requirements to extend assistance.--
``(i) Participation in family self-sufficiency.--In the
case of a public housing agency that is providing such
assistance under this subsection on behalf of an eligible
youth and that is carrying out a family self-sufficiency
program under section 23, the agency shall, subject only to
the availability of such assistance, extend the provision of
such assistance for up to 24 months beyond the period
referred to in paragraph (2)(B), but only during such period
that the youth is in compliance with the terms and conditions
applicable under section 23 and the regulations implementing
such section to a person participating in a family self-
sufficiency program.
``(ii) Education, workforce development, or employment.--In
the case of a public housing agency that is providing such
assistance under this subsection on behalf of an eligible
youth and that is not carrying out a family self-sufficiency
program under section 23, or is carrying out such a program
in which the youth has been unable to enroll, the agency
shall, subject only to the availability of such assistance,
extend the provision of such assistance for two successive
12-month periods, after the period referred to in paragraph
(2)(B), but only if for not less than 9 months of the 12-
month period preceding each such extension the youth was--
``(I) engaged in obtaining a recognized postsecondary
credential or a secondary school diploma or its recognized
equivalent;
``(II) enrolled in an institution of higher education, as
such term is defined in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)) and including the
institutions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of
section 102(a)(1) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1002(a)(1)); or
``(III) participating in a career pathway, as such term is
defined in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
Notwithstanding any other provision of this clause, a public
housing agency shall consider employment as satisfying the
requirements under this subparagraph.
``(iii) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii),
a public housing agency that is providing such assistance
under this subsection on behalf of an eligible youth shall
extend the provision of such assistance for up to 24 months
beyond the period referred to in paragraph (2)(B), and
clauses (i) and (ii) of this subparagraph shall not apply, if
the eligible youth certifies that he or she is--
``(I) a parent or other household member responsible for
the care of a dependent child under the age of 6 or for the
care of an incapacitated person;
``(II) a person who is regularly and actively participating
in a drug addiction or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation
program; or
[[Page H8938]]
``(III) a person who is incapable of complying with the
requirement under clause (i) or (ii), as applicable, due to a
documented medical condition.
``(iv) Verification of compliance.--The Secretary shall
require the public housing agency to verify compliance with
the requirements under this subparagraph by each eligible
youth on whose behalf the agency provides such assistance
under this subsection on an annual basis in conjunction with
reviews of income for purposes of determining income
eligibility for such assistance.
``(B) Supportive services.--
``(i) Eligibility.--Each eligible youth on whose behalf
such assistance under this subsection is provided shall be
eligible for any supportive services (as such term is defined
in section 103 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3102)) made available, in connection with any
housing assistance program of the agency, by or through the
public housing agency providing such assistance.
``(ii) Information.--Upon the initial provision of such
assistance under this subsection on behalf of any eligible
youth, the public housing agency shall inform such eligible
youth of the existence of any programs or services referred
to in clause (i) and of their eligibility for such programs
and services.
``(C) Applicability to moving to work agencies.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the requirements
of this paragraph shall apply to assistance under this
subsection pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) made available by
each public housing agency participating in the Moving to
Work Program under section 204 of the Departments of Veterans
Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent
Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 (42 U.S.C. 1437f note),
except that in lieu of compliance with clause (i) or (ii) of
subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, such an agency may comply
with the requirements under such clauses by complying with
such terms, conditions, and requirements as may be
established by the agency for persons on whose behalf such
rental assistance under this subsection is provided.
``(D) Termination of vouchers upon turn-over.--A public
housing agency shall not reissue any such assistance made
available from appropriated funds when assistance for the
youth initially assisted is terminated, unless specifically
authorized by the Secretary.
``(E) Reports.--
``(i) In general.--The Secretary shall require each public
housing agency that provides such assistance under this
subsection in any fiscal year to submit a report to the
Secretary for such fiscal year that--
``(I) specifies the number of persons on whose behalf such
assistance under this subsection was provided during such
fiscal year;
``(II) specifies the number of persons who applied during
such fiscal year for such assistance under this subsection,
but were not provided such assistance, and provides a brief
identification in each instance of the reason why the public
housing agency was unable to award such assistance; and
``(III) describes how the public housing agency
communicated or collaborated with public child welfare
agencies to collect such data.
``(ii) Information collections.--The Secretary shall, to
the greatest extent possible, utilize existing information
collections, including the voucher management system (VMS),
the Inventory Management System/PIH Information Center (IMS/
PIC), or the successors of those systems, to collect
information required under this subparagraph.
``(F) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the
Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide such
information and guidance to the Secretary of Health and Human
Services as may be necessary to facilitate such Secretary in
informing States and public child welfare agencies on how to
correctly and efficiently implement and comply with the
requirements of this subsection relating to assistance
provided pursuant to paragraph (2)(B).''.
(b) Coordination Between PHAs and Public Child Welfare
Agencies.--
(1) Applicability to fostering stable housing opportunities
program.--Subparagraph (A) of section 8(x)(4) of the United
States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(x)(4)(A)) is
amended by inserting before the semicolon at the end the
following: ``and establishing a point of contact at public
housing agencies to ensure that public housing agencies
receive appropriate referrals regarding eligible
recipients''.
(c) PHA Administrative Fees.--Subsection (q) of section 8
of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(q))
is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(5) Supplements for administering assistance for youth
aging out of foster care.--The Secretary may provide
supplemental fees under this subsection to the public housing
agency for the cost of administering any assistance for
foster youth under subsection (x)(2)(B), in an amount
determined by the Secretary, but only if the agency waives
for such eligible youth receiving assistance any residency
requirement that it has otherwise established pursuant to
subsection (r)(1)(B)(i).''.
SEC. 4. EXCEPTIONS TO LIMITATIONS FOR PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER
ASSISTANCE.
(a) Percentage Limitation.--The first sentence of clause
(ii) of section 8(o)(13)(B) of the United States Housing Act
of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(B)(ii)) is amended by
inserting before ``or that'' the following: ``that house
eligible youths receiving assistance pursuant to subsection
(x)(2)(B),''.
(b) Income-mixing Requirement.--Subclause (I) of section
8(o)(13)(D)(ii) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(D)(ii)(I)) is amended by inserting after
``elderly families'' the following: ``, to eligible youths
receiving assistance pursuant to subsection (x)(2)(B),''.
SEC. 5. APPLICABILITY.
The amendments made by this Act shall not apply to housing
choice voucher assistance made available pursuant to section
8(x) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(x)) that is in use on behalf of an assisted family as
of the date of the enactment of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Green) and the gentlewoman from Missouri (Mrs. Wagner) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks on this legislation and to insert extraneous material thereon.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4300, the Fostering
Stable Housing Opportunities Act of 2019. This bill will help to ensure
that our young adults aging out of foster care and at risk of
homelessness have the housing assistance they need. In addition, this
bill includes incentives for these young adults to participate in
activities or programs to help them achieve self-sufficiency.
The young people who have aged out of the foster care system face
many challenges as they abruptly face adulthood without many of the
supports needed to help them make the transition. These young people
have limited resources with which to secure safe and stable housing,
which leaves them at heightened risk of experiencing homelessness.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4300, the Fostering Stable
Housing Opportunities Act.
Each year, Mr. Speaker, roughly 20,000 youth age out of foster care.
Young adults without families who exit the foster care system are
incredibly vulnerable to homelessness. A number of studies show that
between 11 and 36 percent of these young people who age out of our
foster care system experience homelessness.
These foster youth need and deserve our support. A stable roof over
their heads can allow these young men and women to pursue an education
or a career. A home can be a bedrock from which they can build their
lives and protect them from crimes like human trafficking.
It will also help these young adults by allowing up to 2 years of
extensions if they enroll in HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency program,
pursue education or workforce development, or gain employment.
It is our duty, Mr. Speaker, to protect these young men and women
from being jettisoned from our foster care system and onto the streets.
This bill doesn't just give them a roof over their heads; it gives them
the ability to build a future.
I applaud the sponsors of H.R. 4300, Ms. Dean and Mr. Stivers, and I
would like to acknowledge, in particular, the hard work that my good
friend, the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) has put into this bill
over the last few years. He has been a true champion of this issue, and
should be commended for his dedication.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to strongly support this bill, and
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume
to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Dean), the sponsor of the
bill.
Ms. DEAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4300, the Fostering
Stable Housing Opportunities Act, and I thank the manager, Mr. Green,
and
[[Page H8939]]
Representative Wagner for their wholehearted support.
The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act is a bipartisan bill
that addresses the needs of foster youth facing homelessness as they
age out of the foster care system.
Every year, approximately 20,000 young people across this country age
out of foster care. Studies show that between one-fifth to one-third of
these young adults will become homeless in transition years.
That sudden and permanent transition from foster care to adulthood--
including the loss of financial, educational, and social supports that
the child welfare system provides--places these vulnerable youth at
risk of homelessness and housing instability.
In my home State of Pennsylvania, for example, 32 percent of foster
youth surveyed in fiscal year 2018 reported that they had been homeless
by the age of 21. That is nearly a third of the young people coming out
of the foster care system.
The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act will address this
problem by reforming and extending the current voucher system. It
provides vouchers from HUD on demand to foster youth who are at risk of
becoming homeless, rather than forcing them to spend years on waiting
lists.
Furthermore, this bill incentivizes young people to participate in
self-sufficiency activities by extending their assistance for up to an
additional 2 years. Qualifying activities include pursuing an
education, workforce development, or employment.
Finally, the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act builds upon
the current Family Unification Program under the foster youth portion
to better align the child welfare and affordable housing systems and to
coordinate and improve the lives of foster youth.
This bill is endorsed by more than 40 organizations, including the
National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Low Income Housing
Coalition, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, and the Child
Welfare League of America.
I thank my colleague on the Financial Services Committee in
particular, Congressman Stivers, for his leadership on this bipartisan
bill; as well as Congresswoman Bass, founder and co-chair of the
Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth; and Congressman Turner, who has
been a leader on this issue for many years.
Finally, I thank the Financial Services Committee chair, Chairwoman
Waters, for her support on this legislation.
The Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Act passed the Financial
Services Committee unanimously, and I urge Members of the full House to
pass it as well.
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).
Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Pennsylvania (Ms.
Dean) for pushing this legislation with me, as well as Congresswoman
Bass of California. Congressman Stivers of Ohio has been an incredible
champion. I thank Congressman Wagner for her work on this bill.
And I want to thank, particularly, Ranking Member McHenry. I am not a
member of this committee, and I thank Chairwoman Waters and, of course,
Ranking Member McHenry for taking this up and allowing me to advocate
for this bill.
This is a bill of the heart. Everyone who has worked on this bill
knows that we are remedying a wrong that shouldn't exist.
Mr. Speaker, several years ago, a group of Ohio foster youth, foster
care alumni, and advocates came to me and explained to me the struggles
that they endure as a result of the government's failure as foster
parents. We fail to provide housing for these young people when they
age out of foster care.
Currently, when youth age out of the foster care system, they are
often placed at the back of the line to receive housing assistance,
despite some targeted interventions available. Essentially, many of
these youth, when they age out of foster care, age into federally
created homelessness.
Now, part of this problem is that foster care is under HHS and adult
housing is under HUD. Even though we know these kids are coming because
we are providing them funding and we are providing them care under the
foster care system under HHS, HUD acts like they have shown up for the
very first day when they become adults and age out of the system.
It is our responsibility to fix this. As Congresswoman Wagner was
saying, studies show that 37 percent of foster care alumni have
experienced homelessness. What a failure of a program.
The program under HHS is graduating 37 percent of its kids into
homelessness; 20 percent struggle with chronic homelessness. This is
after we have made a significant investment in these children's lives.
It is the time that they start to go forward into adulthood that they
face homelessness.
The government can and should remedy this. This bill will help with
that and will give these kids, as they go into adulthood, an
opportunity to jump in the front of the line--because we know they are
coming; we have known they are coming for years--and give them the
assistance for federally created housing so they can look toward self-
sufficiency and become independent members of society.
{time} 1830
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank all of the Dayton, Ohio, area
foster kids and the alumni who helped work on this. Congratulations to
each and every one of them. We did it, Mr. Speaker. I encourage
everyone to vote for this.
Mrs. WAGNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I simply want to thank Mrs. Wagner
for working with me and the other members of the committee. I would
like to also thank Ms. Dean and Mr. Stivers for introducing this
important piece of legislation that is aimed at protecting some of our
most vulnerable young people who too often fall into homelessness after
they age out of foster care.
Mr. Speaker, I support this legislation and urge my colleagues to do
so, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 4300, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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