[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E37]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HOMELESS ASSISTANCE ACT OF 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 13, 2020

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, as a senior member of congress, I 
rise in support of H.R. 4302, the ``Homeless Assistance Act,'' which 
amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 by adding in a new 
subsection that creates a method for information of homeless 
individuals to be disclosed promptly from PHAs to local government and 
nonprofit organizations.
  This subsection, subsection `C', would authorize Public Housing 
Agencies (PHAs) to disclose relevant client information to local 
government entities and nonprofits in order to facilitate housing and 
services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
  PHAs can play an important role in a local strategy to end 
homelessness, however PHAs are limited by the Federal Privacy Act.
  PHAs can receive information on incoming homeless clients, but they 
must obtain written consent from each client before disclosing 
information about its client's housing assistance with local government 
entities and nonprofits, which can serve as an unnecessary barrier.
  One of the challenges to serving people who are experiencing 
homelessness is coordinating between various local entities that are 
working together to provide the necessary housing and services that 
cater to the unique needs of each individual and family.
  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's `2019 Point-
in-Time Homeless Count & Survey' collected data showing that as of 
April of 2019 there are 3,938 sheltered and unsheltered residents of 
Houston experiencing homelessness.
  The most recent data from the city of Houston had revealed nearly 
69,000 individuals had signed up for their waitlist to receive housing 
assistance.
  The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) provides services to more than 
60,000 low-income Houstonians, including over 17,000 families housed 
through the Housing Choice Voucher Program and another 5,500 living in 
25 public housing and tax credit developments around the city.
  The Homeless Assistance Act assures that the collection, maintenance, 
use, and dissemination of information about clients can be disclosed 
not for public consumption, but to other home and health services 
programs for the benefit of the client.
  The implementation of subsection `C' would allow PHAs to disclose 
relevant client data with local government entities and nonprofits for 
the limited purpose of facilitating the expedited identification, 
assessment, and linkage of individuals experiencing homelessness to 
housing and supportive services.
  I urge all Members to join me in voting for H.R. 4302.