,,ii #aafth ,,congress #ast ,session ,s4 #bfac ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,october #af1 #bjai,mr4 ,schumer 7for ,ms4 ,harris 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,hirono1 ,mrs4 ,gillibrand1 ,mrs4 ,murray1 ,mr4 ,blumenthal1 and ,ms4 ,klobuchar77 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs ,a ,,bill ,to provide a path to end homelessness in the ,united ,states1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,ending ,homelessness ,act of #bjai4 #b4 ,congressional findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 although the ,united ,states has experienced a reduction in veteran homelessness after a surge of new ,federal funding targeted to homeless veterans starting in fiscal year #bjjh1 major progress towards the national goals for ending homelessness in the ,united ,states has virtually stalled in the absence of increased funding2 7#b7 according to the point-in-time count conducted by the ,department of ,housing and ,urban ,development in #bjaf1 #edi1ibh people were experiencing homelessness in the ,united ,states on any given night during that year1 including more than #abj1jjj children2 7#c7 homelessness in many communities has reached crisis proportions1 and some cities have declared that homelessness has reached a state of emergency2 and 7#d7 the ,federal ,government must renew its commitment to the national goals to end homelessness4 #c4 ,definition ,in this ,act1 the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development4 #d4 ,emergency relief funding ,title ,,iv of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacfj et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by redesignating section #dia 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadjh7 as section #dda2 7#b7 by redesignating section #eib 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aadjh;a7 as section #ddb2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 ,e #e-,year ,path ,to ,end ,homelessness #dea4 ,emergency relief funding 7a7 ,direct appropriations ,there is appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 to remain available until expended1 for emergency relief grants under this section to address the unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need4 7b7 ,formula grants 7#a7 ,allocation ,amounts appropriated under subsection 7a7 for a fiscal year shall be allocated among collaborative applicants that comply with section #djb1 in accordance with the funding formula established under paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection4 7#b7 ,formula ,the ,secretary shall1 in consultation with the ,united ,states ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness1 establish a formula for allocating grant amounts under this section to address the unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need1 using the best currently available data that targets need based on key structural determinants of homelessness in the geographic area represented by a collaborative applicant1 which shall include data providing accurate counts of-- 7,a7 the poverty rate2 7,b7 shortages of affordable housing for low-income families1 very low-income families1 and extremely low-income families1 as those terms are defined in section #c7;b77#b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b77#b772 7,c7 the number of overcrowded housing units2 7,d7 the number of-- 7i7 unsheltered homeless individuals2 and 7ii7 chronically homeless individuals2 and 7,e7 any other factors that the ,secretary considers appropriate4 7#c7 ,grants ,for each fiscal year for which amounts are appropriated under subsection 7a7 or otherwise made available under this section1 and for each collaborative applicant for which an amount is allocated using the formula established under paragraph 7#b7 of this subsection1 the ,secretary shall make a grant to the collaborative applicant in the amount allocated4 7#d7 ,timing 7,a7 ,formula to be devised swiftly ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish the funding formula required under paragraph 7#b74 7,b7 ,initial distribution ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,secretary establishes the formula required under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall distribute amounts appropriated under subsection 7a7 or otherwise made available under this section for fiscal year #bjbj4 7c7 ,use of grants 7#a7 ,in general ,subject to paragraphs 7#b7 through 7#d71 a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section may use the grant amounts only for eligible activities under section #dae1 #dbc1 or #dda7;b74 7#b7 ,permanent supportive housing requirement 7,a7 ,requirement ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,b71 a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section shall use not less than #ge percent of the grant amount for permanent supportive housing1 including capital costs1 rental subsidies1 and services4 7,b7 ,exemption 7i7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall exempt a collaborative applicant from the requirement under subparagraph 7,a7 if the applicant demonstrates1 in accordance with any standards and procedures established by the ,secretary1 that-- 7,i7 chronic homelessness has been functionally eliminated in the geographic area served by the applicant2 or 7,,ii7 the permanent supportive housing under development in the geographic area served by the applicant will be sufficient to functionally eliminate chronic homelessness once the permanent supportive housing is available for occupancy4 7ii7 ,timing ,not later than #fj days after the ,secretary receives a request for an exemption under clause 7i71 the ,secretary shall make a determination regarding the request4 7#c7 ,limitation on use for administrative expenses ,not more than #e percent of the total amount of a grant provided under this section to a collaborative applicant may be used for costs of administration4 7#d7 ,housing ,first requirement ,the ,secretary shall ensure that a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section is implementing1 to the extent possible1 and will use the grant amounts in accordance with1 a ,housing ,first model for assistance for homeless individuals4 7d7 ,renewal funding ,expiring contracts for leasing1 rental assistance1 or permanent housing shall be treated1 for purposes of section #dbi1 as expiring contracts referred to in subsection 7a7 of that section4 7e7 ,reporting to ,congress 7#a7 ,initial report ,not later than ,september #a1 #bjbj1 the ,secretary and the ,united ,states ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness shall submit a report that describes the design and implementation of the grant program under this section1 including the formula required under subsection 7b77#b71 to-- 7,a7 the ,committee on ,banking1 ,housing1 and ,urban ,affairs of the ,senate2 7,b7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,senate2 7,c7 the ,committee on ,financial ,services of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7,d7 the ,committee on ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives4 7#b7 ,semiannual status reports 7,a7 ,reports to ,congress ,the ,secretary and the ,united ,states ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness shall submit a semiannual report to the committees specified in paragraph 7#a7 that describes the operation of the grant program under this section during the preceding #f months1 including-- 7i7 identification of the grants made2 and 7ii7 a description of the activities funded with grant amounts4 7,b7 ,collection of information by ,secretary ,the ,secretary shall require a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section to submit any information to the ,secretary that is necessary for the ,secretary to comply with the reporting requirement under subparagraph 7,a74 #deb4 ,special purpose vouchers 7a7 ,direct appropriation 7#a7 ,in general ,there is appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #ejj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbj through #bjbd1 to remain available until expended1 which shall be used in accordance with paragraphs 7#b7 and 7#c74 7#b7 ,rental assistance ,except as provided in paragraph 7#c71 the ,secretary shall use amounts appropriated under paragraph 7#a7 for incremental rental voucher assistance under section #h7o7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7o77 for individuals and families who are homeless 7as defined in section #ajc of this ,act71 which shall be in addition to incremental rental voucher assistance provided under that section pursuant to renewal of expiring contracts for such assistance4 7#c7 ,administrative fees 7,a7 ,cap ,the ,secretary may use not more than #aj percent of amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under paragraph 7#a7 for administrative fees under section #h7q7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;f7q774 7,b7 ,policies and procedures ,the ,secretary shall establish policies and procedures to provide the fees described in subparagraph 7,a7 to the extent necessary to assist homeless individuals and families on whose behalf rental assistance is provided to find and maintain suitable housing4 7b7 ,allocation ,the ,secretary shall make assistance provided under this section available to public housing agencies based on-- 7#a7 geographical need for the assistance by homeless individuals and families1 as identified by the ,secretary2 7#b7 the administrative performance of public housing agencies2 and 7#c7 other factors as specified by the ,secretary4 7c7 ,availability ,assistance made available under this section shall continue to remain available only for homeless individuals and families upon turnover4 7d7 ,renewal funding ,renewal of expiring contracts for rental assistance provided under subsection 7a7 and for administrative fees under that subsection shall1 to the extent provided in appropriation ,acts1 be funded under the section #h tenant-based rental assistance account4 7e7 ,waiver authority 7#a7 ,in general ,if the ,secretary finds that a waiver or alternative requirement is necessary to ensure that homeless individuals and families can obtain housing using rental assistance made available under this section1 the ,secretary may waive1 or specify alternative requirements for1 any provision of any statute or regulation that the ,secretary administers in connection with the use of funds made available under this section 7except for requirements related to fair housing1 nondiscrimination1 labor standards1 and the environment7 that relates to screening of applicants for assistance1 admission of applicants1 and selection of tenants4 7#b7 ,duty of public housing agencies ,the ,secretary shall require public housing agencies receiving rental assistance funding made available under this section to take all reasonable actions to help assisted individuals and families avoid subsequent homelessness4 #dec4 ,outreach funding 7a7 ,direct appropriation ,there is appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #ajj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbd1 to remain available until expended1 for grants under this section to provide outreach and coordinate services for individuals and families who are homeless or formerly homeless4 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants under this section on a competitive basis only to collaborative applicants that comply with section #djb4 7#b7 ,priority ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to collaborative applicants that submit plans to make innovative and effective use of staff funded with grant amounts in accordance with subsection 7c74 7c7 ,use of grants ,a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section may use the grant amounts only for providing case managers1 social workers1 or other staff who conduct outreach and coordinate services for individuals and families who are homeless or formerly homeless4 7d7 ,timing 7#a7 ,criteria to be established swiftly ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall establish the criteria for awarding grants under this section1 including the priority system required under subsection 7b74 7#b7 ,initial distribution ,not later than #cj days after the date on which the ,secretary establishes criteria under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall distribute amounts appropriated under subsection 7a7 or otherwise made available under this section for fiscal year #bjbj4 4 #e4 ,housing ,trust ,fund 7a7 ,funding 7#a7 ,annual funding ,there is appropriated1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #a1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each fiscal year thereafter1 to remain available until expended1 which shall be credited to the ,housing ,trust ,fund established under #acch of the ,federal ,housing ,enterprises ,financial ,safety and ,soundness ,act of #aiib 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #defh7 for use under that section4 7#b7 ,rental assistance ,there is appropriated1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #ej1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj and each fiscal year thereafter1 to remain available until expended1 for incremental project-based voucher assistance or project-based rental assistance1 to be allocated to ,states in accordance with the formula established under section #acch of the ,federal ,housing ,enterprises ,financial ,safety and ,soundness ,act of #aiib 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #defh71 to be used solely in conjunction with grant funds awarded under that section4 7#c7 ,priority for housing the homeless 7,a7 ,priority ,during the first #e fiscal years for which amounts are made available under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall ensure that priority for occupancy in dwelling units described in subparagraph 7,b7 that become available for occupancy is given to individuals and families who are homeless 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacjb774 7,b7 ,covered dwelling units ,a dwelling unit described in this subparagraph is any dwelling unit that-- 7i7 is located in housing that has received assistance using amounts that were credited to the ,housing ,trust ,fund under paragraph 7#a72 or 7ii7 is receiving assistance using amounts made available under paragraph 7#b74 7b7 ,tenant rent contribution 7#a7 ,limitation ,section #acch7;c77#g77;,a7 of the ,federal ,housing ,enterprises ,financial ,safety and ,soundness ,act of #aiib 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #defh7;c77#g77;,a77 is amended-- 7,a7 by striking except that not less than #ge percent and inserting the following3 except that-- 7i7 not less than #ge percent 2 7,b7 by adding at the end the following3 7ii7 notwithstanding any other provision of law1 all rental housing dwelling units shall be subject to legally binding commitments that ensure that the contribution toward rent by a family residing in the dwelling unit shall not exceed #cj percent of the adjusted income 7as that term is defined in section #c7;b7 of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcg;a7b777 of the family2 and 4 7#b7 ,regulations ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall promulgate regulations to implement clause 7ii7 of section #acch7;c77#g77;,a7 of the ,federal ,housing ,enterprises ,financial ,safety and ,soundness ,act of #aiib 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #defh7;c77#g77;,a771 as added by paragraph 7#a77;,b74 #f4 ,technical assistance funds to help ,states and local organizations align health and housing systems 7a7 ,funding ,there is appropriated to the ,secretary1 out of any money in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #bj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj1 to remain available until expended1 for providing technical assistance under section #dje of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacfa;b7 in connection with expanding the ,healthcare and ,housing 7,h#b7 ,systems ,integration ,initiative of the ,secretary1 in collaboration with the ,united ,states ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness and the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7b7 ,use ,in expanding the ,initiative described in subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall seek to-- 7#a7 assist ,states and localities in integrating and aligning policies and funding between ,medicaid programs1 behavioral health providers1 and housing providers to create supportive housing opportunities2 and 7#b7 engage ,state ,medicaid program directors1 ,governors1 ,state housing and homelessness agencies1 any other relevant ,state offices1 and any relevant local government entities1 to assist ,states in increasing use of their ,medicaid programs to finance supportive services for homeless individuals4 7c7 ,priority ,in using amounts made available under this section1 the ,secretary shall give priority to use for ,states and localities having the highest numbers of chronically homeless individuals4 #g4 ,permanent authorization of appropriations for ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act grants ,section #djh of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacfd7 is amended to read as follows3 #djh4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year4 4 #h4 ,permanent extension of ,united ,states ,interagency ,council on ,homelessness ,title ,,ii of the ,mc,kinney-,vento ,homeless ,assistance ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacaa et seq47 is amended-- 7#a7 by striking section #bji 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacai72 and 7#b7 by redesignating section #baj 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aacbj7 as section #bji4 #i4 ,emergency designation 7a7 ,statutory ,,paygo ,this ,act is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #d7;g7 of the ,statutory ,pay-,as-,you-,go ,act of #bjaj 7#b ,u4,s4,c4 #icc7;g774 7b7 ,senate designation ,in the ,senate1 this ,act is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section #daab7;a7 of ,h4 ,con4 ,res4 #ga 7#aaeth ,congress71 the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year #bjah4