START Housing Act of 2023

Bill: 118-hr-5137
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1]
Introduced: 2023-08-04
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use

Homelessness and emergency shelter

Low- and moderate-income housing

Mental health

Public housing

Unemployment
Latest action: action_date: 2023-08-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.

Summaries:

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 5137 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 4, 2023 Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Fitzpatrick ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services A BILL To reauthorize and expand the pilot program to help individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder become stably housed, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Transition And Recovery Through Housing Act of 2023 or the START Housing Act of 2023 . 2. Reauthorization of Recovery Housing Program Section 8071 of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5301 note) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) by striking 2019 through 2023 and inserting 2024 through 2029 ; (B) by striking for a period of not more than 2 years or ; and (C) by striking , whichever is earlier ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by inserting , acting through the Office of Community Planning and Development in consultation with the Office of Special Needs Assistance, before not later than ; and (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking allocated to and inserting prioritized for ; and (ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following new subparagraph: (B) Priority Among the States, priority shall be given to States with the greatest need, as such need is determined by the Secretary based on the following factors: (i) The highest average rates of unemployment based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for calendar years 2019 through 2023. (ii) The lowest average labor force participation rates based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for calendar years 2019 through 2023. (iii) The highest age-adjusted rates of drug overdose deaths based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (iv) The highest rates of unsheltered homelessness as determined by the most recent annual point-in-time count of persons experiencing homelessness required by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq. ). ; (3) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (2)— (i) by inserting , low-barrier after effective ; and (ii) by inserting before the period at the end the following: with an expectation that persons participating in the program have access to stable housing upon exiting the program ; and (B) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs: (4) Supplement not supplant As a condition of receiving funds under this section, a State shall use such funds received under this section only to supplement the level of State or local funds that would, in the absence of the receipt of funds under this section, be made available for related housing and recovery services. (5) Consultation Each State that receives amounts pursuant to this section shall consult with continuums of care and public housing agencies to assess needs for implementing funds and developing a plan to support individuals receiving stable housing in connection with funding under this section with transfer to other housing at the end of the individuals’ eligibility. ; and (4) by striking subsection (f) and inserting the following new subsection: (f) Technical assistance The Secretary may use not more than 2 percent of the funds made available under this section for technical assistance, to publish best practices, and to conduct outreach to grantees or potentially eligible participants. .