Ending Homelessness Act of 2019

To provide a path to end homelessness in the United States, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Ending Homelessness Act of 2019 2. Congressional findings The Congress finds that— (1) 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 2008, major progress towards the national goals for ending homelessness in our Nation has virtually stalled in the absence of increased funding; (2) according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2018 point-in-time count, there were 552,830 people experiencing homelessness in the United States on any given night, including nearly 160,000 children and youth; (3) homelessness in many communities has reached crisis proportions and some cities have declared that homelessness has reached a state of emergency; and (4) the Federal Government must renew its commitment to the national goals to end homelessness. 3. Funding to address unmet needs Title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11360 (1) by redesignating section 491 ( 42 U.S.C. 11408 (2) by redesignating section 592 ( 42 U.S.C. 11408a (3) by adding at the end the following new subtitle: E 5-Year path to end homelessness 451. Funding to address unmet needs (a) Direct appropriations There is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, for emergency relief grants under this section to address the unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need. (b) Formula grants (1) Allocation Amounts appropriated under subsection (a) for a fiscal year shall be allocated among collaborative applicants that comply with section 402, in accordance with the funding formula established under paragraph (2) of this subsection. (2) Formula The Secretary shall, in consultation with the United States Interagency Council on Homeless, establish a formula for allocating grant amounts under this section to address the unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need, using the best currently available data that targets need based on key structural determinants of homelessness in the geographic area represented by a collaborative applicant, which shall include data providing accurate counts of— (A) the poverty rate in the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant; (B) shortages of affordable housing for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households in the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant; (C) the number of overcrowded housing units in the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant; (D) the number of unsheltered homeless individuals and the number of chronically homeless individuals; and (E) any other factors that the Secretary considers appropriate. The formula shall provide priority to collaborative applicants for which the local governments, within the area served by the applicant, have adopted local policies, such as through zoning and regulation, that leverage the private sector’s participation to provide housing that is reserved and affordable to low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households, as defined by the Secretary, for a minimum term of 15 years. The Secretary shall establish by regulation the process and manner that local governments will be evaluated. The Secretary shall ensure that local governments are not incentivized or otherwise rewarded for eliminating or undermining the intent of zoning regulations or other regulations or policies that establish fair wages for laborers, ensure health and safety of buildings for residents and the general public, protect fair housing, establish environmental protections, establish standards for resiliency, prevent tenant displacement, or any other requirements that the Secretary determines it is in the public interest to preserve. (3) Grants For each fiscal year for which amounts are made available under subsection (a), the Secretary shall make a grant to each collaborative applicant for which an amount is allocated pursuant to application of the formula established pursuant to paragraph (2) of this subsection in an amount that is equal to the formula amount determined for such collaborative applicant. (4) Timing The funding formula required under paragraph (2) shall be established by regulations issued, after notice and opportunity for public comment, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section. (c) Use of grants (1) In general Subject to paragraphs (2) through (4), a collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section may use such grant amounts only for eligible activities under section 415, 423, or 441(b). (2) Permanent supportive housing requirement (A) Requirement Except as provided in subparagraph (B), each collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section shall use not less than 75 percent of such grant amount for permanent supportive housing, including capital costs, rental subsidies, and services. (B) Exemption The Secretary shall exempt a collaborative applicant from the applicability of the requirement under subparagraph (A) if the applicant demonstrates, in accordance with such standards and procedures as the Secretary shall establish, that— (i) chronic homelessness has been functionally eliminated in the geographic area served by the applicant; or (ii) the permanent supportive housing under development in the geographic area served by the applicant is sufficient to functionally eliminate chronic homelessness once such units are available for occupancy. The Secretary shall consider and make a determination regarding each request for an exemption under this subparagraph not later than 60 days after receipt of such request. (3) Limitation on use for administrative expenses Not more than 5 percent of the total amount of any grant under this section to a collaborative applicant may be used for costs of administration. (4) Housing First requirement The Secretary shall ensure that each collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section is implementing, to the extent possible, and will use such grant amounts in accordance with, a Housing First model for assistance for homeless persons. (d) Renewal funding Expiring contracts for leasing, rental assistance, or permanent housing shall be treated, for purposes of section 429, as expiring contracts referred to in subsection (a) of such section. (e) Reporting to Congress (1) Annual reports Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning upon the first allocation of amounts made after the date of the enactment of this Act pursuant to subsection (b)(1), and annually thereafter, the Secretary and the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness shall submit a report to the Committees on Financial Services and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate providing detailed information regarding the grants made under this section during the preceding year, the activities funded with such grant amounts, and the impact of such activities on the communities where such activities took place. (2) Collection of information by Secretary The Secretary shall require each collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section to submit such information to the Secretary as may be necessary for the Secretary to comply with the reporting requirement under paragraph (1). 452. Special purpose vouchers (a) Direct appropriation There is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $500,000,000, to remain available until expended, which shall be used as follows: (1) Rental Assistance Except as provided in paragraph (2), such amount shall be used for incremental assistance for rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f(o) 42 U.S.C. 11302 (2) Administrative fees The Secretary may use not more than 10 percent of such amounts provided for each fiscal year for administrative fees under 8(q) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437f(q) (b) Allocation The Secretary shall make assistance provided under this section available to public housing agencies based on geographical need for such assistance by homeless persons and households, as identified by the Secretary, public housing agency administrative performance, and other factors as specified by the Secretary. In allocating assistance among public housing agencies, the Secretary shall provide priority to agencies having jurisdictions in which the local governments within such jurisdictions have adopted local policies, such as through zoning and regulation, that leverage the private sector’s participation to provide housing that is reserved and affordable to low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households, as determined by the Secretary, for a minimum term of 15 years. The Secretary shall establish by regulation the process and manner that local governments will be evaluated. The Secretary shall ensure that local governments are not incentivized or otherwise rewarded for eliminating or undermining the intent of zoning regulations or other regulations or policies that establish fair wages for laborers, ensure health and safety of buildings for residents and the general public, protect fair housing, establish environmental protections, establish standards for resiliency, prevent tenant displacement, or any other requirements that the Secretary determines it is in the public interest to preserve. (c) Availability Assistance made available under this section shall continue to remain available only for homeless persons and households upon turn-over. (d) Renewal funding Renewal of expiring contracts for rental assistance provided under subsection (a) and for administrative fees under such subsection shall, to the extent provided in appropriation Acts, be funded under the section 8 tenant-based rental assistance account. (e) Waiver authority Upon a finding by the Secretary that a waiver or alternative requirement pursuant to this subsection is necessary to ensure that homeless persons and households can obtain housing using rental assistance made available under this section, the Secretary may waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the use of funds made available under this section (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, labor standards, and the environment) that relates to screening of applicants for assistance, admission of applicants, and selection of tenants. The Secretary shall require public housing agencies receiving rental assistance funding made available under this section to take all reasonable actions to help assisted persons and families avoid subsequent homelessness. 453. Outreach funding (a) Direct appropriation There is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $100,000,000, to remain available until expended, to the Secretary for grants under this section to provide outreach and coordinate services for persons and households who are homeless or formerly homeless. (b) Grants (1) In general The Secretary shall make grants under this section on a competitive basis only to collaborative applicants who comply with section 402. (2) Priority The competition for grants under this section shall provide priority— (A) to collaborative applicants who submit plans to make innovative and effective use of staff funded with grant amounts pursuant to subsection (c); and (B) to collaborative applicants for which the local governments, within the area served by the applicant, have adopted local policies, such as through zoning and regulation, that leverage the private sector’s participation to provide housing that is reserved and affordable to low-, very low-, and extremely low-income households, as defined by Secretary, for a minimum term of 15 years. The Secretary shall establish by regulation the process and manner that local governments will be evaluated. The Secretary shall ensure that local governments are not incentivized or otherwise rewarded for eliminating or undermining the intent of zoning regulations or other regulations or policies that establish fair wages for laborers, ensure health and safety of buildings for residents and the general public, protect fair housing, establish environmental protections, establish standards for resiliency, prevent tenant displacement, or any other requirements that the Secretary determines it is in the public interest to preserve. (c) Use of grants A collaborative applicant that receives a grant under this section may use such grant amounts only for providing case managers, social workers, or other staff who conduct outreach and coordinate services for persons and households who are homeless or formerly homeless. (d) Timing The Secretary shall establish the criteria for the competition for grants under this section required under subsection (b) by regulations issued, after notice and opportunity for public comment, not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this section. . 4. Housing Trust Fund (a) Funding (1) Annual funding There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $1,000,000,000, to remain available until expended, which shall be credited to the Housing Trust Fund established pursuant to section 1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 ( 12 U.S.C. 4568 (2) Rental assistance There is appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024, $50,000,000, to remain available until expended, for incremental project-based voucher assistance or project-based rental assistance, to be allocated to States pursuant to the formula established under section 1338 of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 ( 12 U.S.C. 4568 (3) Priority for housing the homeless (A) Priority During the first 5 fiscal years that amounts are made available under this subsection, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall ensure that priority for occupancy in dwelling units described in subparagraph (B) that become available for occupancy shall be given to persons and households who are homeless (as such term is defined in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11302 (B) Covered dwelling units A dwelling unit described in this subparagraph is any dwelling unit that— (i) is located in housing that was at any time provided assistance with any amounts from the Housing Trust Fund referred to paragraph (1) that were credited to such Trust Fund by such paragraph; or (ii) is receiving assistance described in paragraph (2) with amounts made available under such paragraph. (b) Tenant rent contribution (1) Limitation Subparagraph (A) of section 1338(c)(7) of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992 ( 12 U.S.C. 4568(c)(7)(A) (A) by striking except that not less than 75 percent except that— (i) not less than 75 percent ; (B) by adding at the end the following new clause: (ii) notwithstanding any other provision of law, 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 30 percent of the adjusted income (as such term is defined in section 3(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 ( 42 U.S.C. 1437a(b) . (2) Regulations The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall issue regulations to implement section 1338(c)(7)(A)(ii) of the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as added by the amendment made by paragraph (1)(B) of this section, not later than the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. 5. Technical assistance funds to help states and local organizations align health and housing systems (a) Funding There is hereby made available to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development $20,000,000, to remain available until expended, for providing technical assistance under section 405 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11361(b) 42 U.S.C. 11301 (b) Use In allocating amounts made available by subsection (a), the Secretary shall seek to— (1) assist States and localities in integrating and aligning policies and funding between Medicaid programs, behavioral health providers, and housing providers to create supportive housing opportunities; and (2) engage State Medicaid program directors, Governors, State housing and homelessness agencies, any other relevant State offices, and any relevant local government entities, to assist States in increasing use of their Medicaid programs to finance supportive services for homeless persons. (c) Priority In using amounts made available under this section, the Secretary shall give priority— (1) to use for States and localities having the highest numbers of chronically homeless persons; and (2) to assist localities that have adopted local policies, such as through zoning and regulation, that leverage the private sector’s participation to provide and make housing affordable for low-, very low-, and extremely low-income household, as defined by the Secretary, for a minimum of 15 years. The Secretary shall establish by regulation the process and manner that local governments will be evaluated. The Secretary shall ensure that local governments are not incentivized or otherwise rewarded for eliminating or undermining the intent of zoning regulations or other regulations or policies that establish fair wages for laborers, ensure health and safety of buildings for residents and the general public, protect fair housing, establish environmental protections, establish standards for resiliency, prevent tenant displacement, or any other requirements that the Secretary determines it is in the public interest to preserve. 6. Permanent authorization of appropriations for McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act grants Section 408 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11364 408. Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this title such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year. . 7. Permanent extension of United States Interagency Council on Homelessness Section 209 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11319 8. Eligibility of private nonprofit organizations for funding Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall provide that private nonprofit organizations (as such term is defined in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11360 9. Eligibility of faith-based organizations Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in determining eligibility for assistance made available by this Act or the amendments made by this Act or for which appropriations are authorized by this Act or the amendments made by this Act, the status of an entity as faith-based or the possibility that an entity may be faith-based may not be a basis for any discrimination against such entity in any manner or for any purpose. 10. Emergency designation (a) In general The amounts provided by this Act, and the amendments made by this Act, are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 ( 2 U.S.C. 933(g) (b) Designation in Senate In the Senate, this Act and the amendments made by this Act are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010. 11. Conforming amendments The table of sections in section 101(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is amended— (1) in the item relating to title II, by striking INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON THE HOMELESS UNITED STATES INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS (2) by striking the item relating to section 209; and (3) in the item relating to section 491, by striking 491 441 (4) in the item relating to section 492, by striking 492 442 (5) by inserting before the item relating to title V the following: Subtitle E—5-Year Path to End Homelessness Sec. 451. Funding to address unmet needs. Sec. 452. Special purpose vouchers. Sec. 453. Outreach funding. . July 5, 2019 Reported from the Committee on Financial Services July 5, 2019 Committee on the Budget discharged; committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Summary: Ending Homelessness Act of 2019 This bill provides additional funding for, and otherwise addresses, assistance to homeless individuals and families. The funding provided by the bill is designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. Specifically, the bill provides additional FY2020-FY2024 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to (1) award emergency relief grants to address unmet needs of homeless populations in jurisdictions with the highest need, and (2) provide additional incremental rental voucher assistance for individuals and families who are homeless. The bill also provides FY2020-FY2024 funding for HUD to award grants to provide outreach and coordinate services for individuals and families who are homeless or formerly homeless. Further, the bill provides additional FY2020-FY2024 funding for the Housing Trust Fund (dedicated to affordable housing for extremely low-income and very low-income families) and incremental project-based voucher and rental assistance. While this additional funding is available, HUD must ensure that priority for occupancy in assisted units is given to individuals and families who are homeless. Further, units receiving such assistance may not require families to contribute more than 30% of their adjusted income towards rent. Additionally, the bill provides funding for HUD to provide technical assistance to states, local governments, and nonprofit organizations to integrate and coordinate homeless assistance with federal health care programs. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes certain homeless assistance grants and makes permanent the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.