CHAPTER 119 - HOMELESS ASSISTANCE

Title 42 > CHAPTER 119

Sections (78)

§ 11301 Findings and purpose

(a) Findings The Congress finds that— the Nation faces an immediate and unprecedented crisis due to the lack of shelter for a growing number of individuals and families, including elderly persons, handicapped persons, families with children, Native Americans, and veterans; the problem of homelessness has become more severe and, in the absence of more effective efforts, is expected to become dramatically worse, endangering the lives and safety of the homeless; the causes of homelessness are many and complex, and homeless individuals have diverse needs; there is no single, simple solution to the problem of homelessness because of the different subpopulations of the homeless, the different causes of and reasons for homelessness, and the different needs of homeless individuals; due to the record increase in homelessness, States, units of local government, and private voluntary organizations have been unable to meet the basic human needs of all the homeless and, in the absence of greater Federal assistance, will be unable to protect the lives and safety of all the homeless in need of assistance; and the Federal Government has a clear responsibility and an existing capacity to fulfill a more effective and responsible role to meet the basic human needs and to engender respect for the human dignity of the homeless.

(b) Purpose It is the purpose of this chapter— to establish the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness; to use public resources and programs in a more coordinated manner to meet the critically urgent needs of the homeless of the Nation; and to provide funds for programs to assist the homeless, with special emphasis on elderly persons, handicapped persons, families with children, Native Americans, and veterans.

§ 11302 General definition of homeless individual

(a) In general For purposes of this chapter, the terms “homeless”, “homeless individual”, and “homeless person” means— 1 an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; an individual or family with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground; an individual or family living in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including hotels and motels paid for by Federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals or by charitable organizations, congregate shelters, and transitional housing); an individual who resided in a shelter or place not meant for human habitation and who is exiting an institution where he or she temporarily resided; an individual or family who— will imminently lose their housing, including housing they own, rent, or live in without paying rent, are sharing with others, and rooms in hotels or motels not paid for by Federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals or by charitable organizations, as evidenced by— a court order resulting from an eviction action that notifies the individual or family that they must leave within 14 days; the individual or family having a primary nighttime residence that is a room in a hotel or motel and where they lack the resources necessary to reside there for more than 14 days; or credible evidence indicating that the owner or renter of the housing will not allow the individual or family to stay for more than 14 days, and any oral statement from an individual or family seeking homeless assistance that is found to be credible shall be considered credible evidence for purposes of this clause; has no subsequent residence identified; and lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing; and unaccompanied youth and homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes who— have experienced a long term period without living independently in permanent housing, have experienced persistent instability as measured by frequent moves over such period, and can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence or childhood abuse, the presence of a child or youth with a disability, or multiple barriers to employment.

(b) Domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other dangerous, traumatic, or life-threatening conditions relating to such violence Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the Secretary shall consider to be homeless any individual or family who— is experiencing trauma or a lack of safety related to, or fleeing or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous, traumatic, or life-threatening conditions related to the violence against the individual or a family member in the individual’s or family’s current housing situation, including where the health and safety of children are jeopardized; has no other safe residence; and lacks the resources to obtain other safe permanent housing.

(c) Income eligibility A homeless individual shall be eligible for assistance under any program provided by this chapter, only if the individual complies with the income eligibility requirements otherwise applicable to such program. Notwithstanding paragraph (1), a homeless individual shall be eligible for assistance under title I of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act [ 29 U.S.C. 3111 et seq.].

(d) Exclusion For purposes of this chapter, the term “homeless” or “homeless individual” does not include any individual imprisoned or otherwise detained pursuant to an Act of the Congress or a State law.

(e) Persons experiencing homelessness Any references in this chapter to homeless individuals (including homeless persons) or homeless groups (including homeless persons) shall be considered to include, and to refer to, individuals experiencing homelessness or groups experiencing homelessness, respectively.

“Except as specifically provided otherwise in this division [see Short Title of 2009 Amendment note set out under section 11301 of this title ], this division and the amendments made by this division shall take effect on, and shall apply beginning on— the expiration of the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this division [ May 20, 2009 ], or the expiration of the 3-month period beginning upon publication by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development of final regulations pursuant to section 1504 [the first final regulations pursuant to section 1504 ( 42 U.S.C. 11301 note) were published on Dec. 5, 2011 , see 76 F.R. 75994], whichever occurs first.”

§ 11303 Funding availability and limitations

(a) Calculation The amounts authorized in this chapter shall be in addition to any amount appropriated for the programs involved before July 22, 1987 .

(b) Availability until expended Any amount appropriated under an authorization in this chapter shall remain available until expended.

(c) Limitation Appropriations pursuant to the authorizations in this chapter shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974, which prohibits the consideration of any bill that would cause the deficit to exceed the levels established by the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, such that it shall not increase the deficit of the Federal Government for fiscal year 1987.

§ 11304 Evaluation by Comptroller General

The Comptroller General of the United States may evaluate the disbursement and use of the amounts made available by appropriation Acts under the authorizations in subchapters III and IV. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title I, § 105 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 486 ; Pub. L. 100–628, title I, § 102(a) , (b)(1), Nov. 7, 1988 , 102 Stat. 3227 ; Pub. L. 104–316, title I, § 122(t) , Oct. 19, 1996 , 110 Stat. 3838 .)

§ 11311 Establishment

There is established in the executive branch an independent establishment to be known as the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness whose mission shall be to coordinate the Federal response to homelessness and to create a national partnership at every level of government and with the private sector to reduce and end homelessness in the nation while maximizing the effectiveness of the Federal Government in contributing to the end of homelessness. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title II, § 201 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 486 ; Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title II, § 216(4) , Jan. 23, 2004 , 118 Stat. 394 ; Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, § 1004(a)(1) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1666 .)

§ 11312 Membership

(a) Members The Council shall be composed of the following members: The Secretary of Agriculture, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Commerce, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Defense, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Education, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Energy, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Health and Human Services, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of the Interior, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Labor, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Transportation, or the designee of the Secretary. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or the designee of the Secretary. The Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation for National and Community Service, or the designee of the Chief Executive Officer. The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the designee of the Administrator. The Administrator of General Services, or the designee of the Administrator. The Postmaster General of the United States, or the designee of the Postmaster General. The Commissioner of Social Security, or the designee of the Commissioner. The Attorney General of the United States, or the designee of the Attorney General. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget, or the designee of the Director. The Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, or the designee of the Director. The Director of USA FreedomCorps, or the designee of the Director. 1 The heads of such other Federal agencies as the Council considers appropriate, or their designees.

(b) Chairperson The Council shall elect a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson from among its members. The positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall rotate among its members on an annual basis.

(c) Meetings The Council shall meet at the call of its Chairperson or a majority of its members, but not less often than four times each year, and the rotation of the positions of Chairperson and Vice Chairperson required under subsection (b) shall occur at the first meeting of each year.

(d) Prohibition of additional pay Members of the Council shall receive no additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Council.

(e) Administration The Executive Director of the Council shall report to the Chairman of the Council.

§ 11313 Functions

(a) Duties The Council shall— not later than 12 months after May 20, 2009 , develop, make available for public comment, and submit to the President and to Congress a National Strategic Plan to End Homelessness, and shall update such plan annually; review all Federal activities and programs to assist homeless individuals; take such actions as may be necessary to reduce duplication among programs and activities by Federal agencies to assist homeless individuals; monitor, evaluate, and recommend improvements in programs and activities to assist homeless individuals conducted by Federal agencies, State and local governments, and private voluntary organizations; provide professional and technical assistance (by not less than 5, but in no case more than 10, regional coordinators employed by the Council, each having responsibility for interaction and coordination of the activities of the Council within the 10 standard Federal regions) to States, local governments, and other public and private nonprofit organizations, in order to enable such governments and organizations to— interpret regulations and assist in the application process for Federal assistance, including grants; provide assistance on the ways in which Federal programs, other than those authorized under this chapter, may best be coordinated to complement the objectives of this chapter; develop recommendations and program ideas based on regional specific issues in serving the homeless population; and establish a schedule for biennial regional workshops to be held by the Council in each of the 10 standard Federal regions to further carry out and provide the assistance described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) and other appropriate assistance as necessary, of which— not less than 5 such workshops shall be held by September 30, 1989 ; and at least 1 such workshop shall be held in each of the 10 Federal regions every 2 years, beginning on September 30, 1988 ; encourage the creation of State Interagency Councils on Homelessness and the formulation of jurisdictional 10-year plans to end homelessness at State, city, and county levels; annually obtain from Federal agencies their identification of consumer-oriented entitlement and other resources for which persons experiencing homelessness may be eligible and the agencies’ identification of improvements to ensure access; develop mechanisms to ensure access by persons experiencing homelessness to all Federal, State, and local programs for which the persons are eligible, and to verify collaboration among entities within a community that receive Federal funding under programs targeted for persons experiencing homelessness, and other programs for which persons experiencing homelessness are eligible, including mainstream programs identified by the Government Accountability Office in the reports entitled “Homelessness: Coordination and Evaluation of Programs Are Essential”, issued February 26, 1999 , and “Homelessness: Barriers to Using Mainstream Programs”, issued July 6, 2000 ; conduct research and evaluation related to its functions as defined in this section; 1 develop joint Federal agency and other initiatives to fulfill the goals of the agency; 1 collect and disseminate information relating to homeless individuals; prepare the annual reports required in subsection (c)(2); prepare and distribute to States (including State contact persons), local governments, and other public and private nonprofit organizations, a bimonthly bulletin that describes the Federal resources available to them to assist the homeless, including current information regarding application deadlines and appropriate persons to contact in each Federal agency providing the resources; develop constructive alternatives to criminalizing homelessness and laws and policies that prohibit sleeping, feeding, sitting, resting, or lying in public spaces when there are no suitable alternatives, result in the destruction of a homeless person’s property without due process, or are selectively enforced against homeless persons; and not later than the expiration of the 6-month period beginning upon completion of the study requested in a letter to the Acting Comptroller General from the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee and several other members regarding various definitions of homelessness in Federal statutes, convene a meeting of representatives of all Federal agencies and committees of the House of Representatives and the Senate having jurisdiction over any Federal program to assist homeless individuals or families, local and State governments, academic researchers who specialize in homelessness, nonprofit housing and service providers that receive funding under any Federal program to assist homeless individuals or families, organizations advocating on behalf of such nonprofit providers and homeless persons receiving housing or services under any such Federal program, and homeless persons receiving housing or services under any such Federal program, at which meeting such representatives shall discuss all issues relevant to whether the definitions of “homeless” under paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 11302(a) of this title , as amended by section 1003 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, should be modified by the Congress, including whether there is a compelling need for a uniform definition of homelessness under Federal law, the extent to which the differences in such definitions create barriers for individuals to accessing services and to collaboration between agencies, and the relative availability, and barriers to access by persons defined as homeless, of mainstream programs identified by the Government Accountability Office in the two reports identified in paragraph (7) of this subsection; and shall submit transcripts of such meeting, and any majority and dissenting recommendations from such meetings, to each committee of the House of Representatives and the Senate having jurisdiction over any Federal program to assist homeless individuals or families not later than the expiration of the 60-day period beginning upon conclusion of such meeting.

(b) Authority In carrying out subsection (a), the Council may— arrange national, regional, State, and local conferences for the purpose of developing and coordinating effective programs and activities to assist homeless individuals and pay for expenses of attendance at meetings which are concerned with the functions or activities for which the appropriation is made; 2 publish a newsletter concerning Federal, State, and local programs that are effectively meeting the needs of homeless individuals.

(c) Reports Within 90 days after July 22, 1987 , and annually thereafter, the head of each Federal agency that is a member of the Council shall prepare and transmit to the Congress and the Council a report that describes— each program to assist homeless individuals administered by such agency and the number of homeless individuals served by such program; impediments, including any statutory and regulatory restrictions, to the use by homeless individuals of each such program and to obtaining services or benefits under each such program; and efforts made by such agency to increase the opportunities for homeless individuals to obtain shelter, food, and supportive services. The Council shall prepare and transmit to the President and the Congress an annual report that— assesses the nature and extent of the problems relating to homelessness and the needs of homeless individuals; provides a comprehensive and detailed description of the activities and accomplishments of the Federal Government in resolving the problems and meeting the needs assessed pursuant to subparagraph (A); describes the accomplishments and activities of the Council, in working with Federal, State, and local agencies and public and private organizations in order to provide assistance to homeless individuals; assesses the level of Federal assistance necessary to adequately resolve the problems and meet the needs assessed pursuant to subparagraph (A); and specifies any recommendations of the Council for appropriate and necessary legislative and administrative actions to resolve such problems and meet such needs.

(d) Notification of other Federal agencies If, in monitoring and evaluating programs and activities to assist homeless individuals conducted by other Federal agencies, the Council determines that any significant problem, abuse, or deficiency exists in the administration of the program or activity of any Federal agency, the Council shall submit a notice of the determination of the Council to the Inspector General of the Federal agency (or the head of the Federal agency, in the case of a Federal agency that has no Inspector General).

(e) Program timetables Not later than 90 days after November 7, 1988 , the head of each Federal agency that is a member of the Council and responsible for administering a program under this chapter shall provide to the Council a timetable regarding program funding availability and application deadlines. The Council shall furnish such information to each State (including the State contact person).

§ 11314 Director and staff

(a) Director The Council shall appoint an Executive Director, who shall be compensated at a rate not to exceed the rate of basic pay payable for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of title 5 . The Council shall appoint an Executive Director at the first meeting of the Council held under section 11312(c) of this title .

(b) Additional personnel With the approval of the Council, the Executive Director of the Council may appoint and fix the compensation of such additional personnel as the Executive Director considers necessary to carry out the duties of the Council.

(c) Details from other agencies Upon request of the Council, the head of any Federal agency may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of such agency to the Council to assist the Council in carrying out its duties under this subchapter. Upon request of the Council, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the Department of Health and Human Services who have served the Federal Task Force on the Homeless of the Department to assist the Council in carrying out its duties under this subchapter.

(d) Administrative support The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall provide the Council with such administrative and support services as are necessary to ensure that the Council carries out its functions under this subchapter in an efficient and expeditious manner.

(e) Experts and consultants With the approval of the Council, the Executive Director of the Council may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5 .

§ 11315 Powers

(a) Meetings For the purpose of carrying out this subchapter, the Council may hold such meetings, and sit and act at such times and places, as the Council considers appropriate.

(b) Delegation Any member or employee of the Council may, if authorized by the Council, take any action that the Council is authorized to take in this subchapter.

(c) Information The Council may secure directly from any Federal agency such information as may be necessary to enable the Council to carry out this subchapter. Upon request of the Chairperson of the Council, the head of such agency shall furnish such information to the Council.

(d) Donations The Council may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property, both real and personal, public and private, without fiscal year limitation, for the purpose of aiding or facilitating the work of the Council.

(e) Mails The Council may use the United States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions as other Federal agencies.

§ 11316 Transfer of functions

(a) Transfers from HHS Task Force The Council shall be the successor to the Federal Task Force on the Homeless of the Department of Health and Human Services. The property, records, and undistributed program funds of the Task Force shall be transferred to the Council.

(b) Termination of HHS Task Force The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall terminate the Federal Task Force on the Homeless of the Department of Health and Human Services as soon as practicable following the first meeting of the Council.

§ 11317 Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter: The term “Council” means the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness established in section 11311 of this title . The term “Federal agency” has the meaning given the term “agency” in section 551(1) of title 5 . ( Pub. L. 100–77, title II, § 207 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 489 ; Pub. L. 108–199, div. G, title II, § 216(4) , Jan. 23, 2004 , 118 Stat. 394 .)

§ 11318 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011. Any amounts appropriated to carry out this subchapter shall remain available until expended. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title II, § 208 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, § 1004(a)(6) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1668 .)

§ 11319 Termination

The Council shall cease to exist, and the requirements of this subchapter shall terminate, on October 1, 2028 1 ( Pub. L. 100–77, title II, § 209 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 489 ; Pub. L. 100–628, title II, § 205 , Nov. 7, 1988 , 102 Stat. 3228 ; Pub. L. 101–402, § 2 , Oct. 1, 1990 , 104 Stat. 866 ; Pub. L. 101–645, title I, § 103 , Nov. 29, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4675 ; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1422 , Oct. 28, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4043 ; Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 231(2)] , Oct. 27, 2000 , 114 Stat. 1441 , 1441A–31; Pub. L. 109–115, div. A, title VI , Nov. 30, 2005 , 119 Stat. 2490 ; Pub. L. 110–161, div. K, title III , Dec. 26, 2007 , 121 Stat. 2443 ; Pub. L. 111–8, div. I, title III , Mar. 11, 2009 , 123 Stat. 985 ; Pub. L. 112–10, div. B, title XII, § 2255 , Apr. 15, 2011 , 125 Stat. 197 ; Pub. L. 112–55, div. C, title III , Nov. 18, 2011 , 125 Stat. 707 ; Pub. L. 113–76, div. L, title III , Jan. 17, 2014 , 128 Stat. 640 ; Pub. L. 113–235, div. K, title III , Dec. 16, 2014 , 128 Stat. 2763 ; Pub. L. 115–31, div. K, title III , May 5, 2017 , 131 Stat. 792 ; Pub. L. 115–141, div. L, title III , Mar. 23, 2018 , 132 Stat. 1041 ; Pub. L. 116–6, div. G, title III , Feb. 15, 2019 , 133 Stat. 469 .)

§ 11320 Encouragement of State involvement

(a) State contact persons Each State shall designate an individual to serve as a State contact person for the purpose of receiving and disseminating information and communications received from the Council, including the bimonthly bulletin described in section 11313(a)(7) 1 of this title.

(b) State interagency councils and lead agencies Each State is encouraged to establish a State interagency council on the homeless or designate a lead agency for the State for the purpose of assuming primary responsibility for coordinating and interacting with the Council and State and local agencies as necessary.

§ 11331 Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board

(a) Establishment There is established to carry out the provisions of this subchapter the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board. The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall constitute the National Board in accordance with subsection (b) in administering the program under this subchapter.

(b) Members The National Board shall consist of the Director and 6 members appointed by the Director. The initial members of the National Board shall be appointed by the Director not later than 30 days after July 22, 1987 . Each such member shall be appointed from among individuals nominated by 1 of the following organizations: The United Way of America. The Salvation Army. The National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Catholic Charities U.S.A. The Council of Jewish Federations, Inc. The American Red Cross.

(c) Chairperson The Director shall be the Chairperson of the National Board.

(d) Other activities Except as otherwise specifically provided in this subchapter, the National Board shall establish its own procedures and policies for the conduct of its affairs.

(e) Transfers from previous national board Upon the appointment of members to the National Board under subsection (b)— the national board constituted under the emergency food and shelter program established pursuant to section 101(g) of Public Law 99–500 or Public Law 99–591 shall cease to exist; and the personnel, property, records, and undistributed program funds of such national board shall be transferred to the National Board.

§ 11332 Local boards

(a) Establishment Each locality designated by the National Board shall constitute a local board for the purpose of determining how program funds allotted to the locality will be distributed. The local board shall consist, to the extent practicable, of representatives of the same organizations as the National Board, except that the mayor or other appropriate heads of government will replace the Federal members, and except that each local board administering program funds for a locality within which is located a reservation (as such term is defined in section 1452(d) of title 25 , 1 or a portion thereof, shall include a board member who is a member of an Indian tribe (as such term is defined in section 5302(a)(17) of this title . 1 The chairperson of the local board shall be elected by a majority of the members of the local board. Local boards are encouraged to expand participation of other private nonprofit organizations on the local board.

(b) Responsibilities Each local board shall— determine which private nonprofit organizations or public organizations of the local government in the individual locality shall receive grants to act as service providers; monitor recipient service providers for program compliance; reallocate funds among service providers; ensure proper reporting; and coordinate with other Federal, State, and local government assistance programs available in the locality.

§ 11333 Role of Federal Emergency Management Agency

(a) In general The Director shall provide the National Board with administrative support and act as Federal liaison to the National Board.

(b) Specific support activities The Director shall— make available to the National Board, upon request, the services of the legal counsel and Inspector General of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; assign clerical personnel to the National Board on a temporary basis; and conduct audits of the National Board annually and at such other times as may be appropriate.

§ 11334 Records and audit of National Board and recipients of assistance

(a) Annual independent audit of National Board The accounts of the National Board shall be audited annually in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards by independent certified public accountants or independent licensed public accountants certified or licensed by a regulatory authority of a State or other political subdivision of the United States. The audits shall be conducted at the place or places where the accounts of the National Board are normally kept. All books, accounts, financial records, reports, files, and all other papers, things, or property belonging to or in use by the National Board and necessary to facilitate the audits shall be made available to the person or persons conducting the audits, and full facilities for verifying transactions with any assets held by depositories, fiscal agents, and custodians shall be afforded to such person or persons. The report of each such independent audit shall be included in the annual report required in section 11335 of this title . Such report shall set forth the scope of the audit and include such statements as are necessary to present fairly the assets and liabilities of the National Board, surplus or deficit, with an analysis of the changes during the year, supplemented in reasonable detail by a statement of the income and expenses of the National Board during the year, and a statement of the application of funds, together with the opinion of the independent auditor of such statements.

(b) Access to records of recipients of assistance Each recipient of assistance under this subchapter shall keep such records as may be reasonably necessary to fully disclose the amount and the disposition by such recipient of the proceeds of such assistance, the total cost of the project or undertaking in connection with which such assistance is given or used, and the amount and nature of that portion of the cost of the project or undertaking supplied by other sources, and such other records as will facilitate an effective audit. The National Board, or any of its duly authorized representatives, shall have access for the purpose of audit and examination to any books, documents, papers, and records of the recipient that are pertinent to assistance received under this subchapter.

(c) Authority of Comptroller General The Comptroller General of the United States, or any of the duly authorized representatives of the Comptroller General, shall also have access to any books, documents, papers, and records of the National Board and recipients for such purpose.

§ 11335 Annual report

The National Board shall transmit to the Congress an annual report covering each year in which it conducts activities with funds made available under this subchapter. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 305 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 491 .)

§ 11341 Grants by Director

Not later than 30 days following the date on which appropriations become available to carry out this part, the Director shall award a grant for the full amount that the Congress appropriates for the program under this part to the National Board for the purpose of providing emergency food and shelter to needy individuals through private nonprofit organizations and local governments in accordance with section 11343 of this title . ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 311 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 492 .)

§ 11342 Retention of interest earned

Interest accrued on the balance of any grant to the National Board shall be available to the National Board for reallocation, and total administrative costs shall be determined based on total amount of funds available, including interest and any private contributions that are made to the National Board. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 312 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 492 .)

§ 11343 Purposes of grants

(a) Eligible activities Grants to the National Board may be used— to supplement and expand ongoing efforts to provide shelter, food, and supportive services for homeless individuals with sensitivity to the transition from temporary shelter to permanent homes, and attention to the special needs of homeless individuals with mental and physical disabilities and illnesses, and to facilitate access for homeless individuals to other sources of services and benefits; to strengthen efforts to create more effective and innovative local programs by providing funding for them; and to conduct minimum rehabilitation of existing mass shelter or mass feeding facilities, but only to the extent necessary to make facilities safe, sanitary, and bring them into compliance with local building codes.

(b) Limitations on activities The National Board may only provide funding provided under this part for— programs undertaken by private nonprofit organizations and local governments; and programs that are consistent with the purposes of this subchapter. The National Board may not carry out programs directly.

§ 11344 Limitation on certain costs

Not more than 5 percent of the total amount appropriated for the emergency food and shelter program for each fiscal year may be expended for the costs of administration. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 314 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 492 .)

§ 11345 Disbursement of funds

Any amount made available by appropriation Acts under this subchapter shall be disbursed by the National Board before the expiration of the 3-month period beginning on the date on which such amount becomes available. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 315 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 492 .)

§ 11346 Program guidelines

(a) Guidelines The National Board shall establish written guidelines for carrying out the program under this part, including— methods for identifying localities with the highest need for emergency food and shelter assistance; methods for determining the amount and distribution to such localities; eligible program costs, including maximum flexibility in meeting currently existing needs; guidelines specifying the responsibilities and reporting requirements of the National Board, its recipients, and service providers; guidelines requiring each private nonprofit organization and local government carrying out a local emergency food and shelter program with amounts provided under this part, to the maximum extent practicable, to involve homeless individuals and families, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in providing emergency food and shelter and in otherwise carrying out the local program; and guidelines requiring each private nonprofit organization and local government carrying out a local emergency food and shelter program with amounts provided under this part to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policy making entity of the organization or governmental agency to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding the local program of the organization or locality; except that such guidelines may grant waivers to applicants unable to meet such requirement if the organization or government agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.

(b) Publication Guidelines established under subsection (a) shall be published annually, and whenever modified, in the Federal Register. The National Board shall not be subject to the procedural rulemaking requirements of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.

§ 11351 Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter: The term “Director” means the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The term “emergency shelter” means a facility all or a part of which is used or designed to be used to provide temporary housing. The term “local government” means a unit of general purpose local government. The term “locality” means the geographical area within the jurisdiction of a local government. The term “National Board” means the Emergency Food and Shelter Program National Board. The term “private nonprofit organization” means an organization— no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; that has a voluntary board; that has an accounting system, or has designated a fiscal agent in accordance with requirements established by the Director; and that practices nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance. The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 321 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 493 ; Pub. L. 109–295, title VI, § 612(c) , Oct. 4, 2006 , 120 Stat. 1410 .)

§ 11352 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $180,000,000forfiscalyear1993and$187,560,000 for fiscal year 1994. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 322 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 493 ; Pub. L. 100–628, title III, § 302 , Nov. 7, 1988 , 102 Stat. 3229 ; Pub. L. 101–645, title II, § 201 , Nov. 29, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4675 ; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1431 , Oct. 28, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4043 .)

§ 11360 Definitions

For purposes of this subchapter: The term “at risk of homelessness” means, with respect to an individual or family, that the individual or family— has income below 30 percent of median income for the geographic area; has insufficient resources immediately available to attain housing stability; and has moved frequently because of economic reasons; is living in the home of another because of economic hardship; has been notified that their right to occupy their current housing or living situation will be terminated; lives in a hotel or motel; lives in severely overcrowded housing; is exiting an institution; or otherwise lives in housing that has characteristics associated with instability and an increased risk of homelessness. Such term includes all families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes. The term “chronically homeless” means, with respect to an individual or family, that the individual or family— is homeless and lives or resides in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter; has been homeless and living or residing in a place not meant for human habitation, a safe haven, or in an emergency shelter continuously for at least 1 year or on at least 4 separate occasions in the last 3 years; and has an adult head of household (or a minor head of household if no adult is present in the household) with a diagnosable substance use disorder, serious mental illness, developmental disability (as defined in section 15002 of this title ), post traumatic stress disorder, cognitive impairments resulting from a brain injury, or chronic physical illness or disability, including the co-occurrence of 2 or more of those conditions. A person who currently lives or resides in an institutional care facility, including a jail, substance abuse or mental health treatment facility, hospital or other similar facility, and has resided there for fewer than 90 days shall be considered chronically homeless if such person met all of the requirements described in subparagraph (A) prior to entering that facility. The term “collaborative applicant” means an entity that— carries out the duties specified in section 11360a of this title ; serves as the applicant for project sponsors who jointly submit a single application for a grant under part C in accordance with a collaborative process; and if the entity is a legal entity and is awarded such grant, receives such grant directly from the Secretary. The term “collaborative application” means an application for a grant under part C that— satisfies section 11382 of this title ; and is submitted to the Secretary by a collaborative applicant. The term “Consolidated Plan” means a comprehensive housing affordability strategy and community development plan required in part 91 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations. The term “eligible entity” means, with respect to a part, a public entity, a private entity, or an entity that is a combination of public and private entities, that is eligible to directly receive grant amounts under such part. The term “families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes” means any children or youth that are defined as “homeless” under any Federal statute other than this part, but are not defined as homeless under section 11302 of this title , and shall also include the parent, parents, or guardian of such children or youth under part B of subchapter VI this 1 chapter ( 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.). The term “formula area” has the meaning given the term in section 1000.302 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. The term “geographic area” means a State, metropolitan city, urban county, town, village, or other nonentitlement area, a formula area, or a combination or consortia of such, in the United States, as described in section 5306 of this title . The term “homeless individual with a disability” means an individual who is homeless, as defined in section 11302 of this title , and has a disability that— is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration; substantially impedes the individual’s ability to live independently; could be improved by the provision of more suitable housing conditions; and is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment, including an impairment caused by alcohol or drug abuse, post traumatic stress disorder, or brain injury; is a developmental disability, as defined in section 15002 of this title ; or is the disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or any condition arising from the etiologic agency for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Nothing in clause (iii) of subparagraph (A) shall be construed to limit eligibility under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A). The term “Indian Tribe” has the meaning given the term “Indian tribe” in section 4103 of title 25 . The term “legal entity” means— an entity described in section 501(c)(3) of title 26 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such title; an instrumentality of State or local government; or a consortium of instrumentalities of State or local governments that has constituted itself as an entity. The terms “metropolitan city”, “urban county”, and “nonentitlement area” have the meanings given such terms in section 5302(a) of this title . The term “new” means, with respect to housing, that no assistance has been provided under this subchapter for the housing. The term “operating costs” means expenses incurred by a project sponsor operating transitional housing or permanent housing under this subchapter with respect to— the administration, maintenance, repair, and security of such housing; utilities, fuel, furnishings, and equipment for such housing; or coordination of services as needed to ensure long-term housing stability. The term “outpatient health services” means outpatient health care services, mental health services, and outpatient substance abuse services. The term “permanent housing” means community-based housing without a designated length of stay, and includes both permanent supportive housing and permanent housing without supportive services. The term “personally identifying information” means individually identifying information for or about an individual, including information likely to disclose the location of a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, including— a first and last name; a home or other physical address; contact information (including a postal, e-mail or Internet protocol address, or telephone or facsimile number); a social security number; and any other information, including date of birth, racial or ethnic background, or religious affiliation, that, in combination with any other non-personally identifying information, would serve to identify any individual. The term “private nonprofit organization” means an organization— no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; that has a voluntary board; that has an accounting system, or has designated a fiscal agent in accordance with requirements established by the Secretary; and that practices nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance. The term “project” means, with respect to activities carried out under part C, eligible activities described in section 11383(a) of this title , undertaken pursuant to a specific endeavor, such as serving a particular population or providing a particular resource. The term “project-based” means, with respect to rental assistance, that the assistance is provided pursuant to a contract that— is between— the recipient or a project sponsor; and an owner of a structure that exists as of the date the contract is entered into; and provides that rental assistance payments shall be made to the owner and that the units in the structure shall be occupied by eligible persons for not less than the term of the contract. The term “project sponsor” means, with respect to proposed eligible activities, the organization directly responsible for carrying out the proposed eligible activities. Except as used in part B, the term “recipient” means an eligible entity who— submits an application for a grant under section 11382 of this title that is approved by the Secretary; receives the grant directly from the Secretary to support approved projects described in the application; and serves as a project sponsor for the projects; or awards the funds to project sponsors to carry out the projects. The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The term “serious mental illness” means a severe and persistent mental illness or emotional impairment that seriously limits a person’s ability to live independently. The term “solo applicant” means an entity that is an eligible entity, directly submits an application for a grant under part C to the Secretary, and, if awarded such grant, receives such grant directly from the Secretary. The term “sponsor-based” means, with respect to rental assistance, that the assistance is provided pursuant to a contract that— is between— the recipient or a project sponsor; and an independent entity that— is a private organization; and owns or leases dwelling units; and provides that rental assistance payments shall be made to the independent entity and that eligible persons shall occupy such assisted units. Except as used in part B, the term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. The term “supportive services” means services that address the special needs of people served by a project, including— the establishment and operation of a child care services program for families experiencing homelessness; the establishment and operation of an employment assistance program, including providing job training; the provision of outpatient health services, food, and case management; the provision of assistance in obtaining permanent housing, employment counseling, and nutritional counseling; the provision of outreach services, advocacy, life skills training, and housing search and counseling services; the provision of mental health services, trauma counseling, and victim services; the provision of assistance in obtaining other Federal, State, and local assistance available for residents of supportive housing (including mental health benefits, employment counseling, and medical assistance, but not including major medical equipment); the provision of legal services for purposes including requesting reconsiderations and appeals of veterans and public benefit claim denials and resolving outstanding warrants that interfere with an individual’s ability to obtain and retain housing; the provision of— transportation services that facilitate an individual’s ability to obtain and maintain employment; and health care; and other supportive services necessary to obtain and maintain housing. The term “tenant-based” means, with respect to rental assistance, assistance that— allows an eligible person to select a housing unit in which such person will live using rental assistance provided under part C, except that if necessary to assure that the provision of supportive services to a person participating in a program is feasible, a recipient or project sponsor may require that the person live— in a particular structure or unit for not more than the first year of the participation; within a particular geographic area for the full period of the participation, or the period remaining after the period referred to in subparagraph (A); and provides that a person may receive such assistance and move to another structure, unit, or geographic area if the person has complied with all other obligations of the program and has moved out of the assisted dwelling unit in order to protect the health or safety of an individual who is or has been the victim of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking, and who reasonably believed he or she was imminently threatened by harm from further violence if he or she remained in the assisted dwelling unit. The term “transitional housing” means housing the purpose of which is to facilitate the movement of individuals and families experiencing homelessness to permanent housing within 24 months or such longer period as the Secretary determines necessary. The term “unified funding agency” means a collaborative applicant that performs the duties described in section 11360a(g) of this title . The term “underserved populations” includes populations underserved because of geographic location, underserved racial and ethnic populations, populations underserved because of special needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alienage status, or age), and any other population determined to be underserved by the Secretary, as appropriate. The term “victim service provider” means a private nonprofit organization whose primary mission is to provide services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Such term includes rape crisis centers, battered women’s shelters, domestic violence transitional housing programs, and other programs. The term “victim services” means services that assist domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking victims, including services offered by rape crisis centers and domestic violence shelters, and other organizations, with a documented history of effective work concerning domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 401 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title I, § 1101(3) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1669 ; amended Pub. L. 116–260, div. Q, title I, § 102(a)(1) , Dec. 27, 2020 , 134 Stat. 2165 .)

§ 11360a Collaborative applicants

(a) Establishment and designation A collaborative applicant shall be established for a geographic area by the relevant parties in that geographic area to— submit an application for amounts under this part; and perform the duties specified in subsection (f) and, if applicable, subsection (g).

(b) No requirement to be a legal entity An entity may be established to serve as a collaborative applicant under this section without being a legal entity.

(c) Remedial action If the Secretary finds that a collaborative applicant for a geographic area does not meet the requirements of this section, or if there is no collaborative applicant for a geographic area, the Secretary may take remedial action to ensure fair distribution of grant amounts under part C to eligible entities within that area. Such measures may include designating another body as a collaborative applicant, or permitting other eligible entities to apply directly for grants.

(d) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed to displace conflict of interest or government fair practices laws, or their equivalent, that govern applicants for grant amounts under parts B and C.

(e) Appointment of agent Subject to paragraph (2), a collaborative applicant may designate an agent to— apply for a grant under section 11382(c) of this title ; receive and distribute grant funds awarded under part C; and perform other administrative duties. Any collaborative applicant that designates an agent pursuant to paragraph (1) shall regardless of such designation retain all of its duties and responsibilities under this subchapter.

(f) Duties A collaborative applicant shall— design a collaborative process for the development of an application under part C, and for evaluating the outcomes of projects for which funds are awarded under part B, in such a manner as to provide information necessary for the Secretary— to determine compliance with— the program requirements under section 11386 of this title ; and the selection criteria described under section 11386a of this title ; and to establish priorities for funding projects in the geographic area involved; participate in the Consolidated Plan for the geographic area served by the collaborative applicant; and ensure operation of, and consistent participation by, project sponsors in a community-wide homeless management information system (in this subsection referred to as “HMIS”) that— collects unduplicated counts of individuals and families experiencing homelessness; analyzes patterns of use of assistance provided under parts B and C for the geographic area involved; provides information to project sponsors and applicants for needs analyses and funding priorities; and is developed in accordance with standards established by the Secretary, including standards that provide for— encryption of data collected for purposes of HMIS; documentation, including keeping an accurate accounting, proper usage, and disclosure, of HMIS data; access to HMIS data by staff, contractors, law enforcement, and academic researchers; rights of persons receiving services under this subchapter; criminal and civil penalties for unlawful disclosure of data; and such other standards as may be determined necessary by the Secretary.

(g) Unified funding In addition to the duties described in subsection (f), a collaborative applicant shall receive from the Secretary and distribute to other project sponsors in the applicable geographic area funds for projects to be carried out by such other project sponsors, if— the collaborative applicant— applies to undertake such collection and distribution responsibilities in an application submitted under this part; and is selected to perform such responsibilities by the Secretary; or the Secretary designates the collaborative applicant as the unified funding agency in the geographic area, after— a finding by the Secretary that the applicant— has the capacity to perform such responsibilities; and would serve the purposes of this chapter as they apply to the geographic area; and the Secretary provides the collaborative applicant with the technical assistance necessary to perform such responsibilities as such assistance is agreed to by the collaborative applicant. A collaborative applicant that is either selected or designated as a unified funding agency for a geographic area under paragraph (1) shall— require each project sponsor who is funded by a grant received under part C to establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure the proper disbursal of, and accounting for, Federal funds awarded to the project sponsor under part C in order to ensure that all financial transactions carried out under part C are conducted, and records maintained, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; and arrange for an annual survey, audit, or evaluation of the financial records of each project carried out by a project sponsor funded by a grant received under part C.

(h) Conflict of interest No board member of a collaborative applicant may participate in decisions of the collaborative applicant concerning the award of a grant, or provision of other financial benefits, to such member or the organization that such member represents.

§ 11361 Housing affordability strategy

Assistance may be made under this subchapter only if the grantee certifies that it is following— a consolidated plan which has been approved by the Secretary in accordance with section 12705 of this title (referred to in such section as a “comprehensive housing affordability strategy”), or a comprehensive homeless assistance plan which was approved by the Secretary during the 180-day period beginning on November 28, 1990 , or during such longer period as may be prescribed by the Secretary in any case for good cause. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 403 , formerly § 401, July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 494 ; Pub. L. 100–628, title IV , §§ 401–404, Nov. 7, 1988 , 102 Stat. 3230 , 3231; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII , §§ 831, 832(e)(3), 836(a), Nov. 28, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4357 , 4360, 4366; renumbered § 403 and amended Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title I, § 1101(2) , title V, § 1502(a), May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1669 , 1701.)

§ 11361a Preventing involuntary family separation

(a) In general After the expiration of the 2-year period that begins upon May 20, 2009 , and except as provided in subsection (b), any project sponsor receiving funds under this subchapter to provide emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent housing to families with children under age 18 shall not deny admission to any family based on the age of any child under age 18.

(b) Exception Notwithstanding the requirement under subsection (a), project sponsors of transitional housing receiving funds under this subchapter may target transitional housing resources to families with children of a specific age only if the project sponsor— operates a transitional housing program that has a primary purpose of implementing an evidence-based practice that requires that housing units be targeted to families with children in a specific age group; and provides such assurances, as the Secretary shall require, that an equivalent appropriate alternative living arrangement for the whole family or household unit has been secured.

§ 11361b Technical assistance

(a) In general The Secretary shall make available technical assistance to private nonprofit organizations and other nongovernmental entities, States, metropolitan cities, urban counties, and counties that are not urban counties, to implement effective planning processes for preventing and ending homelessness, to improve their capacity to prepare collaborative applications, to prevent the separation of families in emergency shelter or other housing programs, and to adopt and provide best practices in housing and services for persons experiencing homeless.

(b) Reservation The Secretary shall reserve not more than 1 percent of the funds made available for any fiscal year for carrying out parts B and C, to provide technical assistance under subsection (a).

§ 11362 Discharge coordination policy

The Secretary may not provide a grant under this subchapter for any governmental entity serving as an applicant unless the applicant agrees to develop and implement, to the maximum extent practicable and where appropriate, policies and protocols for the discharge of persons from publicly funded institutions or systems of care (such as health care facilities, foster care or other youth facilities, or correction programs and institutions) in order to prevent such discharge from immediately resulting in homelessness for such persons. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 406 , formerly § 402, as added Pub. L. 106–377, § 1(a)(1) [title II, § 229(a)] , Oct. 27, 2000 , 114 Stat. 1441 , 1441A–30; renumbered § 406, Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title I, § 1101(2) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1669 .)

§ 11363 Protection of personally identifying information by victim service providers

In the course of awarding grants or implementing programs under this subchapter, the Secretary shall instruct any victim service provider that is a recipient or subgrantee not to disclose for purposes of the Homeless Management Information System any personally identifying information about any client. The Secretary may, after public notice and comment, require or ask such recipients and subgrantees to disclose for purposes of the Homeless Management Information System non-personally identifying information that has been de-identified, encrypted, or otherwise encoded. Nothing in this section shall be construed to supersede any provision of any Federal, State, or local law that provides greater protection than this subsection for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 407 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title I, § 1104 , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1677 .)

§ 11364 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subchapter $2,200,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2011. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 408 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title I, § 1105 , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1678 .)

§ 11364a Availability of amounts recaptured from appropriated funds

(a) Amounts recaptured from funds appropriated for this or any succeeding fiscal year under the heading “Department of Housing and Urban Development—Community Planning and Development—Homeless Assistance Grants” shall become available until expended not later than the end of the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which such funds are available and shall be available, in addition to rental assistance amounts that were recaptured and made available until expended under such heading by any prior Act, and in addition to such other funds as may be available for such purposes, for the following purposes: For grants under the Continuum of Care program under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.); For grants under the Emergency Solutions Grant program under subtitle B of title IV of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq.); Not less than 10 percent of the amounts shall be used only for grants in rural areas under the Continuum of Care program, to include activities eligible under the Rural Housing Stability Assistance program under section 491 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11408 ) that are not otherwise eligible under the Continuum of Care program; and Not less than 10 percent of the amounts shall be for emergency solutions grants for disaster areas as authorized by subsection (c).

(b) Prior to the use of any recaptured amounts referred to in subsection (a), including competing, awarding, or obligating such amounts, the Secretary shall submit a plan in accordance with subsection (a) that specifies the planned use of any such amounts to the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and receive prior written approval of such plan, except that use of amounts in the plan for the purposes specified in subsection (a)(4) may begin once such plan is submitted to such Committees.

(c) The Secretary may make grants under the Emergency Solutions Grants program under subtitle B of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq.) to States or local governments to address the needs of homeless individuals or families or individuals or families at risk of homelessness in areas affected by a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) on or after December 20, 2019 , whose needs are not otherwise served or fully met by existing Federal disaster relief programs, including the Transitional Sheltering Assistance program under such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5170b ). For purposes of grants under paragraph (1), the Secretary may suspend all consultation, citizen participation, and matching requirements.

§ 11371 Definitions

For purposes of this part: The term “local government” means a unit of general purpose local government. The term “locality” means the geographical area within the jurisdiction of a local government. The term “metropolitan city” has the meaning given such term in section 5302 of this title . The term “operating costs” means expenses incurred by a recipient operating a facility assisted under this part with respect to— the administration, maintenance, repair, and security of such housing; and utilities, fuels, furnishings, and equipment for such housing. The term “private nonprofit organization” means a secular or religious organization described in section 501(c) of title 26 that is exempt from taxation under subtitle A of title 26, has an accounting system and a voluntary board, and practices nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance. The term “recipient” means any governmental or private nonprofit entity that is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility. The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. The term “State” means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States. The term “urban county” has the meaning given such term in section 5302 of this title . ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 411 , July 22, 1987 , 101 Stat. 495 ; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, § 832(f)(1) , Nov. 28, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4361 ; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, § 506(a)(1) , Oct. 26, 1996 , 110 Stat. 4044 .)

§ 11372 Grant assistance

The Secretary shall make grants to States and local governments (and to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to persons experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, in the case of grants made with reallocated amounts) for the purpose of carrying out activities described in section 11374 of this title . ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 412 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title II, § 1201(4) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1678 .)

§ 11372a Amount and allocation of assistance

(a) In general Of the amount made available to carry out this part and part C for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allocate nationally 20 percent of such amount for activities described in section 11374 of this title . The Secretary shall be required to certify that such allocation will not adversely affect the renewal of existing projects under this part and part C for those individuals or families who are homeless.

(b) Allocation An entity that receives a grant under section 11372 of this title , and serves an area that includes 1 or more geographic areas (or portions of such areas) served by collaborative applicants that submit applications under part C, shall allocate the funds made available through the grant to carry out activities described in section 11374 of this title , in consultation with the collaborative applicants.

§ 11373 Allocation and distribution of assistance

(a) In general The Secretary shall allocate assistance under this part to metropolitan cities, urban counties, and States (for distribution to local governments and private nonprofit organizations in the States) in a manner that ensures that the percentage of the total amount available under this part for any fiscal year that is allocated to any State, metropolitan city, or urban county is equal to the percentage of the total amount available for section 5306 of this title for such prior fiscal year that is allocated to such State, metropolitan city, or urban county.

(b) Minimum allocation requirement If, under the allocation provisions applicable under this part, any metropolitan city or urban county would receive a grant of less than 0.05 percent of the amounts appropriated under section 11364 of this title and made available to carry out this part for any fiscal year, such amount shall instead be reallocated to the State, except that any city that is located in a State that does not have counties as local governments, that has a population greater than 40,000 but less than 50,000 as used in determining the fiscal year 1987 community development block grant program allocation, and that was allocated in excess of $1,000,000 in community development block grant funds in fiscal year 1987, shall receive directly the amount allocated to such city under subsection (a).

(c) Distributions to nonprofit organizations, public housing agencies, and local redevelopment authorities Any local government receiving assistance under this part may distribute all or a portion of such assistance to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals, to public housing agencies (as defined under section 1437a(b)(6) of this title ), or to local redevelopment authorities (as defined under State law). Any State receiving assistance under this part may distribute all or a portion of such assistance to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals, if the local government for the locality in which the project is located certifies that it approves of the project.

(d) Reallocation of funds The Secretary shall, not less than once during each fiscal year, reallocate any assistance provided under this part that is unused or returned or that becomes available under subsection (b). If a city or county eligible for a grant under subsection (a) fails to obtain approval of its comprehensive plan during the 90-day period following the date funds authorized by this part first become available for allocation during any fiscal year, the amount that the city or county would have received shall be available to the State in which the city or county is located if the State has obtained approval of its comprehensive plan. Any amounts that cannot be allocated to a State under the preceding sentence shall be reallocated to other States, counties, and cities that demonstrate extraordinary need or large numbers of homeless individuals, as determined by the Secretary. If a State fails to obtain approval of its comprehensive plan during the 90-day period following the date funds authorized by this part first become available for allocation during any fiscal year, the amount that the State would have received shall be reallocated to other States and to cities and counties as applicable, that demonstrate extraordinary need or large numbers of homeless individuals, as determined by the Secretary.

(e) Allocations to territories In addition to the other allocations required in this section, the Secretary shall (for amounts appropriated after July 22, 1987 ) allocate assistance under this part to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States, in accordance with an allocation formula established by the Secretary.

§ 11374 Eligible activities

(a) In general Assistance provided under section 11372 of this title may be used for the following activities: The renovation, major rehabilitation, or conversion of buildings to be used as emergency shelters. The provision of essential services related to emergency shelter or street outreach, including services concerned with employment, health, education, family support services for homeless youth, substance abuse services, victim services, or mental health services, if— such essential services have not been provided by the local government during any part of the immediately preceding 12-month period or the Secretary determines that the local government is in a severe financial deficit; or the use of assistance under this part would complement the provision of those essential services. Maintenance, operation, insurance, provision of utilities, and provision of furnishings related to emergency shelter. Provision of rental assistance to provide short-term or medium-term housing to homeless individuals or families or individuals or families at risk of homelessness. Such rental assistance may include tenant-based or project-based rental assistance. Housing relocation or stabilization services for homeless individuals or families or individuals or families at risk of homelessness, including housing search, mediation or outreach to property owners, legal services, credit repair, providing security or utility deposits, utility payments, rental assistance for a final month at a location, assistance with moving costs, or other activities that are effective at— stabilizing individuals and families in their current housing; or quickly moving such individuals and families to other permanent housing.

(b) Maximum allocation for emergency shelter activities A grantee of assistance provided under section 11372 of this title for any fiscal year may not use an amount of such assistance for activities described in paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a) that exceeds the greater of— 60 percent of the aggregate amount of such assistance provided for the grantee for such fiscal year; or the amount expended by such grantee for such activities during fiscal year 1 most recently completed before the effective date under section 1503 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009.

§ 11375 Responsibilities of recipients

(a) Matching amounts Except as provided in paragraph (2), each recipient under this part shall be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part with an equal amount of funds from sources other than this part. Each recipient shall certify to the Secretary its compliance with this paragraph, and shall include with such certification a description of the sources and amounts of such supplemental funds. Each recipient under this part that is a State shall be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part with an amount of funds from sources other than this part equal to the difference between the amount received under this part and $100,000.IftheamountreceivedbytheStateis$100,000 or less, the State may not be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part. In calculating the amount of supplemental funds provided by a recipient under this part, a recipient may include the value of any donated material or building, the value of any lease on a building, any salary paid to staff to carry out the program of the recipient, and the value of the time and services contributed by volunteers to carry out the program of the recipient at a rate determined by the Secretary.

(b) Administration of assistance Each recipient shall act as the fiscal agent of the Secretary with respect to assistance provided to such recipient.

(c) Certifications on use of assistance Each recipient shall certify to the Secretary that— it will— in the case of assistance involving major rehabilitation or conversion, maintain any building for which assistance is used under this part as a shelter for homeless individuals and families for not less than a 10-year period; in the case of assistance involving rehabilitation (other than major rehabilitation or conversion), maintain any building for which assistance is used under this part as a shelter for homeless individuals and families for not less than a 3-year period; or in the case of assistance involving solely activities described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 11374(a) 1 of this title, provide services or shelter to homeless individuals and families for the period during which such assistance is provided, without regard to a particular site or structure as long as the same general population is served; any renovation carried out with assistance under this part shall be sufficient to ensure that the building involved is safe and sanitary; it will assist homeless individuals in obtaining— appropriate supportive services, including permanent housing, medical and mental health treatment, counseling, supervision, and other services essential for achieving independent living; and other Federal, State, local, and private assistance available for such individuals; in the case of a recipient that is a State, it will obtain any matching amounts required under subsection (a) in a manner so that local governments, agencies, and local nonprofit organizations receiving assistance from the grant that are least capable of providing the recipient State with such matching amounts receive the benefit of the $100,000 subtrahend under subsection (a)(2); it will develop and implement procedures to ensure the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided family violence prevention or treatment services under any project assisted under this part and that the address or location of any family violence shelter project assisted under this part will, except with written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter, not be made public; activities undertaken by the recipient with assistance under this part are consistent with any housing strategy submitted by the grantee in accordance with section 12705 of this title ; and to the maximum extent practicable, it will involve, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, homeless individuals and families in constructing, renovating, maintaining, and operating facilities assisted under this part, in providing services assisted under this part, and in providing services for occupants of facilities assisted under this part.

(d) Participation of homeless individuals The Secretary shall, by regulation, require each recipient that is not a State to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policymaking entity of such recipient, to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any facility, services, or other assistance of the recipient assisted under this part. The Secretary may grant waivers to recipients unable to meet the requirement under the preceding sentence if the recipient agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.

(e) Termination of assistance If an individual or family who receives assistance under this part from a recipient violates program requirements, the recipient may terminate assistance in accordance with a formal process established by the recipient that recognizes the rights of individuals affected, which may include a hearing.

(f) Participation in HMIS The Secretary shall ensure that recipients of funds under this part ensure the consistent participation by emergency shelters and homelessness prevention and rehousing programs in any applicable community-wide homeless management information system.

§ 11376 Administrative provisions

(a) Regulations Not later than 60 days after July 22, 1987 , the Secretary shall by notice establish such requirements as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this part. Such requirements shall be subject to section 553 of title 5 . The Secretary shall issue requirements based on the initial notice before the expiration of the 12-month period following July 22, 1987 . Prior to the issuance of such requirements in final form, the requirements established by the Secretary implementing the provisions of the emergency shelter grants program under the provisions made effective by section 101(g) of Public Law 99–500 or Public Law 99–591 shall govern the emergency shelter grants program under this part.

(b) Initial allocation of assistance Not later than the expiration of the 60-day period following the date of enactment of a law providing appropriations to carry out this part, the Secretary shall notify each State, metropolitan city, and urban county that is to receive a direct grant of its allocation of assistance under this part. Such assistance shall be allocated and may be used notwithstanding any failure of the Secretary to issue requirements under subsection (a).

(c) Minimum standards of habitability The Secretary shall prescribe such minimum standards of habitability as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that emergency shelters assisted under this section are environments that provide appropriate privacy, safety, and sanitary and other health-related conditions for homeless persons and families. Grantees are authorized to establish standards of habitability in addition to those prescribed by the Secretary.

§ 11377 Repealed. Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title II, § 1201(2), May 20, 2009, 123 Stat. 1678

§ 11378 Administrative costs

A recipient may use up to 7.5 percent of any annual grant received under this part for administrative purposes. A recipient State shall share the amount available for administrative purposes pursuant to the preceding sentence with local governments funded by the State. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 418 , as added Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, § 832(b)(1) , Nov. 28, 1990 , 104 Stat. 4359 ; amended Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title II, § 1204 , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1680 .)

§ 11381 Purposes

The purposes of this part are— to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; to provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers and State and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused to individuals, families, and communities by homelessness; to promote access to, and effective utilization of, mainstream programs described in section 11313(a)(7) of this title and programs funded with State or local resources; and to optimize self-sufficiency among individuals and families experiencing homelessness. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 421 , as added Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title III, § 1301(2) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1680 .)

§ 11382 Continuum of care applications and grants

(a) Projects The Secretary shall award grants, on a competitive basis, and using the selection criteria described in section 11386a of this title , to carry out eligible activities under this part for projects that meet the program requirements under section 11386 of this title , either by directly awarding funds to project sponsors or by awarding funds to unified funding agencies.

(b) Notification of funding availability The Secretary shall release a notification of funding availability for grants awarded under this part for a fiscal year not later than 3 months after the date of the enactment of the appropriate Act making appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development for such fiscal year.

(c) Applications To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a project sponsor or unified funding agency in a geographic area shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require, and containing such information as the Secretary determines necessary— to determine compliance with the program requirements and selection criteria under this part; and to establish priorities for funding projects in the geographic area. Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall announce, within 5 months after the last date for the submission of applications described in this subsection for a fiscal year, the grants conditionally awarded under subsection (a) for that fiscal year. For a period of up to 2 years beginning after the effective date under section 1503 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, the Secretary shall announce, within 6 months after the last date for the submission of applications described in this subsection for a fiscal year, the grants conditionally awarded under subsection (a) for that fiscal year.

(d) Obligation, distribution, and utilization of funds Not later than 9 months after the announcement referred to in subsection (c)(2), each recipient or project sponsor shall meet all requirements for the obligation of those funds, including site control, matching funds, and environmental review requirements, except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C). Not later than 24 months after the announcement referred to in subsection (c)(2), each recipient or project sponsor seeking the obligation of funds for acquisition of housing, rehabilitation of housing, or construction of new housing for a grant announced under subsection (c)(2) shall meet all requirements for the obligation of those funds, including site control, matching funds, and environmental review requirements. At the discretion of the Secretary, and in compelling circumstances, the Secretary may extend the date by which a recipient or project sponsor shall meet the requirements described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) if the Secretary determines that compliance with the requirements was delayed due to factors beyond the reasonable control of the recipient or project sponsor. Such factors may include difficulties in obtaining site control for a proposed project, completing the process of obtaining secure financing for the project, obtaining approvals from State or local governments, or completing the technical submission requirements for the project. Not later than 45 days after a recipient or project sponsor meets the requirements described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall obligate the funds for the grant involved. A recipient that receives funds through such a grant— shall distribute the funds to project sponsors (in advance of expenditures by the project sponsors); and shall distribute the appropriate portion of the funds to a project sponsor not later than 45 days after receiving a request for such distribution from the project sponsor. The Secretary may establish a date by which funds made available through a grant announced under subsection (c)(2) for a homeless assistance project shall be entirely expended by the recipient or project sponsors involved. The date established under this paragraph shall not occur before the expiration of the 24-month period beginning on the date that funds are obligated for activities described under paragraphs 1 (1) or (2) of section 11383(a) of this title . The Secretary shall recapture the funds not expended by such date. The Secretary shall reallocate the funds for another homeless assistance and prevention project that meets the requirements of this part to be carried out, if possible and appropriate, in the same geographic area as the area served through the original grant.

(e) Renewal funding for unsuccessful applicants The Secretary may renew funding for a specific project previously funded under this part that the Secretary determines meets the purposes of this part, and was included as part of a total application that met the criteria of subsection (c), even if the application was not selected to receive grant assistance. The Secretary may renew the funding for a period of not more than 1 year, and under such conditions as the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

(f) Considerations in determining renewal funding When providing renewal funding for leasing, operating costs, or rental assistance for permanent housing, the Secretary shall make adjustments proportional to increases in the fair market rents in the geographic area.

(g) More than 1 application for a geographic area If more than 1 collaborative applicant applies for funds for a geographic area, the Secretary shall award funds to the collaborative applicant with the highest score based on the selection criteria set forth in section 11386a of this title .

(h) Appeals The Secretary shall establish a timely appeal procedure for grant amounts awarded or denied under this part pursuant to a collaborative application or solo application for funding. The Secretary shall ensure that the procedure permits appeals submitted by entities carrying out homeless housing and services projects (including emergency shelters and homelessness prevention programs), and all other applicants under this part.

(i) Solo applicants A solo applicant may submit an application to the Secretary for a grant under subsection (a) and be awarded such grant on the same basis as such grants are awarded to other applicants based on the criteria described in section 11386a of this title , but only if the Secretary determines that the solo applicant has attempted to participate in the continuum of care process but was not permitted to participate in a reasonable manner. The Secretary may award such grants directly to such applicants in a manner determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.

(j) Flexibility to serve persons defined as homeless under other Federal laws A collaborative applicant may use not more than 10 percent of funds awarded under this part (continuum of care funding) for any of the types of eligible activities specified in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 11383(a) of this title to serve families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes, or homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under section 11302(a)(6) of this title , but only if the applicant demonstrates that the use of such funds is of an equal or greater priority or is equally or more cost effective in meeting the overall goals and objectives of the plan submitted under section 11386a(b)(1)(B) of this title , especially with respect to children and unaccompanied youth. The 10 percent limitation under paragraph (1) shall not apply to collaborative applicants in which the rate of homelessness, as calculated in the most recent point in time count, is less than one-tenth of 1 percent of total population. Notwithstanding section 11302(a) of this title and subject to subparagraph (B), funds awarded under this part may be used for eligible activities to serve unaccompanied youth and homeless families and children defined as homeless under section 11302(a)(6) of this title only pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection and such families and children shall not otherwise be considered as homeless for purposes of this part. Subparagraph (A) may not be construed to prevent any unaccompanied youth and homeless families and children defined as homeless under section 11302(a)(6) of this title from qualifying for, and being treated for purposes of this part as, at risk of homelessness or from eligibility for any projects, activities, or services carried out using amounts provided under this part for which individuals or families that are at risk of homelessness are eligible.

§ 11383 Eligible activities

(a) In general Grants awarded under section 11382 of this title to qualified applicants shall be used to carry out projects that serve homeless individuals or families that consist of one or more of the following eligible activities: Construction of new housing units to provide transitional or permanent housing. Acquisition or rehabilitation of a structure to provide transitional or permanent housing, other than emergency shelter, or to provide supportive services. Leasing of property, or portions of property, not owned by the recipient or project sponsor involved, for use in providing transitional or permanent housing, or providing supportive services. Provision of rental assistance to provide transitional or permanent housing to eligible persons. The rental assistance may include tenant-based, project-based, or sponsor-based rental assistance. Project-based rental assistance, sponsor-based rental assistance, and operating cost assistance contracts carried out by project sponsors receiving grants under this section may, at the discretion of the applicant and the project sponsor, have an initial term of 15 years, with assistance for the first 5 years paid with funds authorized for appropriation under this chapter, and assistance for the remainder of the term treated as a renewal of an expiring contract as provided in section 11386c of this title . Project-based rental assistance may include rental assistance to preserve existing permanent supportive housing for homeless individuals and families. Payment of operating costs for housing units assisted under this part or for the preservation of housing that will serve homeless individuals and families and for which another form of assistance is expiring or otherwise no longer available. Supportive services for individuals and families who are currently homeless, who have been homeless in the prior six months but are currently residing in permanent housing, or who were previously homeless and are currently residing in permanent supportive housing. Provision of rehousing services, including housing search, mediation or outreach to property owners, credit repair, providing security or utility deposits, rental assistance for a final month at a location, assistance with moving costs, or other activities that— are effective at moving homeless individuals and families immediately into housing; or may benefit individuals and families who in the prior 6 months have been homeless, but are currently residing in permanent housing. In the case of a collaborative applicant that is a legal entity, performance of the duties described under section 11360a(f)(3) of this title . Operation of, participation in, and ensuring consistent participation by project sponsors in, a community-wide homeless management information system. In the case of a collaborative applicant that is a legal entity, payment of administrative costs related to meeting the requirements described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 11360a(f) of this title , for which the collaborative applicant may use not more than 3 percent of the total funds made available in the geographic area under this part for such costs. In the case of a collaborative applicant that is a unified funding agency under section 11360a(g) of this title , payment of administrative costs related to meeting the requirements of that section, for which the unified funding agency may use not more than 3 percent of the total funds made available in the geographic area under this part for such costs, in addition to funds used under paragraph (10). Payment of administrative costs to project sponsors, for which each project sponsor may use not more than 10 percent of the total funds made available to that project sponsor through this part for such costs. 1 Facilitating and coordinating activities to ensure compliance with subsection (e) of section 12491 of title 34 and monitoring compliance with the confidentiality protections of subsection (c)(4) of such section. 1 Projects in rural areas that consist of one or more of the following activities: Payment of short-term emergency lodging, including in motels or shelters, directly or through vouchers. Repairs to units— in which homeless individuals and families will be housed; or which are currently not fit for human habitation. Staff training, professional development, skill development, and staff retention activities.

(b) Minimum grant terms The Secretary may impose minimum grant terms of up to 5 years for new projects providing permanent housing.

(c) Use restrictions A project that consists of activities described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) shall be operated for the purpose specified in the application submitted for the project under section 11382 of this title for not less than 15 years. A project that consists of activities described in any of paragraphs (3) through (12) of subsection (a) shall be operated for the purpose specified in the application submitted for the project under section 11382 of this title for the duration of the grant period involved. If the recipient or project sponsor carrying out a project that provides transitional or permanent housing submits a request to the Secretary to carry out instead a project for the direct benefit of low-income persons, and the Secretary determines that the initial project is no longer needed to provide transitional or permanent housing, the Secretary may approve the project described in the request and authorize the recipient or project sponsor to carry out that project.

(d) Repayment of assistance and prevention of undue benefits If a recipient or project sponsor receives assistance under section 11382 of this title to carry out a project that consists of activities described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a) and the project ceases to provide transitional or permanent housing— earlier than 10 years after operation of the project begins, the Secretary shall require the recipient or project sponsor to repay 100 percent of the assistance; or not earlier than 10 years, but earlier than 15 years, after operation of the project begins, the Secretary shall require the recipient or project sponsor to repay 20 percent of the assistance for each of the years in the 15-year period for which the project fails to provide that housing. Except as provided in paragraph (3), if any property is used for a project that receives assistance under subsection (a) and consists of activities described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a), and the sale or other disposition of the property occurs before the expiration of the 15-year period beginning on the date that operation of the project begins, the recipient or project sponsor who received the assistance shall comply with such terms and conditions as the Secretary may prescribe to prevent the recipient or project sponsor from unduly benefitting from such sale or disposition. A recipient or project sponsor shall not be required to make the repayments, and comply with the terms and conditions, required under paragraph (1) or (2) if— the sale or disposition of the property used for the project results in the use of the property for the direct benefit of very low-income persons; all of the proceeds of the sale or disposition are used to provide transitional or permanent housing meeting the requirements of this part; project-based rental assistance or operating cost assistance from any Federal program or an equivalent State or local program is no longer made available and the project is meeting applicable performance standards, provided that the portion of the project that had benefitted from such assistance continues to meet the tenant income and rent restrictions for low-income units under section 42(g) of title 26 ; or there are no individuals and families in the geographic area who are homeless, in which case the project may serve individuals and families at risk of homelessness.

(e) Staff training The Secretary may allow reasonable costs associated with staff training to be included as part of the activities described in subsection (a).

(f) Eligibility for permanent housing Any project that receives assistance under subsection (a) and that provides project-based or sponsor-based permanent housing for homeless individuals or families with a disability, including projects that meet the requirements of subsection (a) and subsection (d)(2)(A) of section 11386b of this title may also serve individuals who had previously met the requirements for such project prior to moving into a different permanent housing project.

(g) Administration of rental assistance Provision of permanent housing rental assistance shall be administered by a State, unit of general local government, private nonprofit organization, or public housing agency.

§ 11384 Incentives for high-performing communities

(a) Designation as a high-performing community The Secretary shall designate, on an annual basis, which collaborative applicants represent high-performing communities. In determining whether to designate a collaborative applicant as a high-performing community under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall establish criteria to ensure that the requirements described under paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of subsection (d) are measured by comparing homeless individuals and families under similar circumstances, in order to encourage projects in the geographic area to serve homeless individuals and families with more severe barriers to housing stability. In each of the first 2 years after the effective date under section 1503 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, the Secretary shall designate not more than 10 collaborative applicants as high-performing communities. If, during the 2-year period described under paragraph (2), more than 10 collaborative applicants could qualify to be designated as high-performing communities, the Secretary shall designate the 10 that have, in the discretion of the Secretary, the best performance based on the criteria described under subsection (d). The designation of any collaborative applicant as a high-performing community under this subsection shall be effective only for the year in which such designation is made. The Secretary, on an annual basis, may renew any such designation.

(b) Application A collaborative applicant seeking designation as a high-performing community under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, and in such manner as the Secretary may require. In any application submitted under paragraph (1), a collaborative applicant shall include in such application— a report showing how any money received under this part in the preceding year was expended; and information that such applicant can meet the requirements described under subsection (d). The Secretary shall— publish any report or information submitted in an application under this section in the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant; and seek comments from the public as to whether the collaborative applicant seeking designation as a high-performing community meets the requirements described under subsection (d).

(c) Use of funds Funds awarded under section 11382(a) of this title to a project sponsor who is located in a high-performing community may be used— for any of the eligible activities described in section 11383 of this title ; or for any of the eligible activities described in paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 11374(a) of this title .

(d) Definition of high-performing community For purposes of this section, the term “high-performing community” means a geographic area that demonstrates through reliable data that all five of the following requirements are met for that geographic area: The mean length of episodes of homelessness for that geographic area— is less than 20 days; or for individuals and families in similar circumstances in the preceding year was at least 10 percent less than in the year before. Of individuals and families— who leave homelessness, fewer than 5 percent of such individuals and families become homeless again at any time within the next 2 years; or in similar circumstances who leave homelessness, the percentage of such individuals and families who become homeless again within the next 2 years has decreased by at least 20 percent from the preceding year. The communities that compose the geographic area have— actively encouraged homeless individuals and families to participate in homeless assistance services available in that geographic area; and included each homeless individual or family who sought homeless assistance services in the data system used by that community for determining compliance with this subsection. If recipients in the geographic area have used funding awarded under section 11382(a) of this title for eligible activities described under section 11374(a) of this title in previous years based on the authority granted under subsection (c), that such activities were effective at reducing the number of individuals and families who became homeless in that community. With respect to collaborative applicants exercising the authority under section 11382(j) of this title to serve homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes, effectiveness in achieving the goals and outcomes identified in subsection 1 11386a(b)(1)(F) of this title according to such standards as the Secretary shall promulgate.

(e) Cooperation among entities A collaborative applicant designated as a high-performing community under this section shall cooperate with the Secretary in distributing information about successful efforts within the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant to reduce homelessness.

§ 11385 Supportive services

(a) In general To the extent practicable, each project shall provide supportive services for residents of the project and homeless persons using the project, which may be designed by the recipient or participants.

(b) Requirements Supportive services provided in connection with a project shall address the special needs of individuals (such as homeless persons with disabilities and homeless families with children) intended to be served by a project.

(c) Services Supportive services may include such activities as (A) establishing and operating a child care services program for homeless families, (B) establishing and operating an employment assistance program, (C) providing outpatient health services, food, and case management, (D) providing assistance in obtaining permanent housing, employment counseling, and nutritional counseling, (E) providing security arrangements necessary for the protection of residents of supportive housing and for homeless persons using the housing or project, (F) providing assistance in obtaining other Federal, State, and local assistance available for such residents (including mental health benefits, employment counseling, and medical assistance, but not including major medical equipment), and (G) providing other appropriate services.

(d) Provision of services Services provided pursuant to this section may be provided directly by the recipient or by contract with other public or private service providers. Such services may be provided to homeless individuals who do not reside in supportive housing.

(e) Coordination with Secretary of Health and Human Services Promptly upon receipt of any application for assistance under this part that includes the provision of outpatient health services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall consult with the Secretary of Health and Human Services with respect to the proposed outpatient health services. If, within 45 days of such consultation, the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the proposal for delivery of the outpatient health services does not meet guidelines for determining the appropriateness of such proposed services, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may require resubmission of the application, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may not approve such portion of the application unless and until such portion has been resubmitted in a form that the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines meets such guidelines. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall jointly establish guidelines for determining the appropriateness of proposed outpatient health services under this section. Such guidelines shall include any provisions necessary to enable the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to meet the time limits under this part for the final selection of applications for assistance.

§ 11386 Program requirements

(a) Site control The Secretary shall require that each application include reasonable assurances that the applicant will own or have control of a site for the proposed project not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning upon notification of an award for grant assistance, unless the application proposes providing supportive housing assistance under section 11383(a)(3) of this title or housing that will eventually be owned or controlled by the families and individuals served. An applicant may obtain ownership or control of a suitable site different from the site specified in the application. If any recipient or project sponsor fails to obtain ownership or control of the site within 12 months after notification of an award for grant assistance, the grant shall be recaptured and reallocated under this part.

(b) Required agreements The Secretary may not provide assistance for a proposed project under this part unless the collaborative applicant involved agrees— to ensure the operation of the project in accordance with the provisions of this part; to monitor and report to the Secretary the progress of the project; to ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that individuals and families experiencing homelessness are involved, through employment, provision of volunteer services, or otherwise, in constructing, rehabilitating, maintaining, and operating facilities for the project and in providing supportive services for the project; to require certification from all project sponsors that— they will maintain the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual or family provided family violence prevention or treatment services through the project; that 1 the address or location of any family violence shelter project assisted under this part will not be made public, except with written authorization of the person responsible for the operation of such project; they will establish policies and practices that are consistent with, and do not restrict the exercise of rights provided by, part B of subchapter VI [ 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.], and other laws relating to the provision of educational and related services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness; in the case of programs that provide housing or services to families, they will designate a staff person to be responsible for ensuring that children being served in the program are enrolled in school and connected to appropriate services in the community, including early childhood programs such as Head Start, part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [ 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.], and programs authorized under part B of subchapter VI of this chapter ( 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.); and they will provide data and reports as required by the Secretary pursuant to the Act; 2 if a collaborative applicant is a unified funding agency under section 11360a(g) of this title and receives funds under this part to carry out the payment of administrative costs described in section 11383(a)(11) of this title , to establish such fiscal control and fund accounting procedures as may be necessary to assure the proper disbursal of, and accounting for, such funds in order to ensure that all financial transactions carried out with such funds are conducted, and records maintained, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; to monitor and report to the Secretary the provision of matching funds as required by section 11386d of this title ; to take the educational needs of children into account when families are placed in emergency or transitional shelter and will, to the maximum extent practicable, place families with children as close as possible to their school of origin so as not to disrupt such children’s education; and to comply with such other terms and conditions as the Secretary may establish to carry out this part in an effective and efficient manner.

(c) Occupancy charge Each homeless individual or family residing in a project providing supportive housing may be required to pay an occupancy charge in an amount determined by the recipient or project sponsor providing the project, which may not exceed the amount determined under section 1437a(a) of this title . Occupancy charges paid may be reserved, in whole or in part, to assist residents in moving to permanent housing.

(d) Flood protection standards Flood protection standards applicable to housing acquired, rehabilitated, constructed, or assisted under this part shall be no more restrictive than the standards applicable under Executive Order No. 11988 ( May 24, 1977 ) to the other programs under this subchapter.

(e) Participation of homeless individuals The Secretary shall, by regulation, require each recipient or project sponsor to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policymaking entity of the recipient or project sponsor, to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any project, supportive services, or assistance provided under this part. The Secretary may grant waivers to applicants unable to meet the requirement under the preceding sentence if the applicant agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.

(f) Limitation on use of funds No assistance received under this part (or any State or local government funds used to supplement such assistance) may be used to replace other State or local funds previously used, or designated for use, to assist homeless persons.

(g) Termination of assistance If an individual or family who receives assistance under this part (not including residents of an emergency shelter) from a recipient violates program requirements, the recipient may terminate assistance in accordance with a formal process established by the recipient that recognizes the rights of individuals receiving such assistance to due process of law, which may include a hearing.

§ 11386a Selection criteria

(a) In general The Secretary shall award funds to recipients through a national competition between geographic areas based on criteria established by the Secretary.

(b) Required criteria The criteria established under subsection (a) shall include— the previous performance of the recipient regarding homelessness, including performance related to funds provided under section 11372 of this title (except that recipients applying from geographic areas where no funds have been awarded under this part, or under parts C, D, E, or F of subchapter IV of this chapter, as in effect prior to May 20, 2009 , shall receive full credit for performance under this subparagraph), measured by criteria that shall be announced by the Secretary, that shall take into account barriers faced by individual homeless people, and that shall include— the length of time individuals and families remain homeless; the extent to which individuals and families who leave homelessness experience additional spells of homelessness; the thoroughness of grantees in the geographic area in reaching homeless individuals and families; overall reduction in the number of homeless individuals and families; jobs and income growth for homeless individuals and families; success at reducing the number of individuals and families who become homeless; other accomplishments by the recipient related to reducing homelessness; and for collaborative applicants that have exercised the authority under section 11382(j) of this title to serve families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes, success in achieving the goals and outcomes identified in subsection (b)(1)(F); the plan of the recipient, which shall describe— how the number of individuals and families who become homeless will be reduced in the community; how the length of time that individuals and families remain homeless will be reduced; how the recipient will collaborate with local education authorities to assist in the identification of individuals and families who become or remain homeless and are informed of their eligibility for services under part B of subchapter VI of this chapter ( 42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.); the extent to which the recipient will— address the needs of all relevant subpopulations; incorporate comprehensive strategies for reducing homelessness, including the interventions referred to in section 11386b(d) of this title ; set quantifiable performance measures; set timelines for completion of specific tasks; identify specific funding sources for planned activities; and identify an individual or body responsible for overseeing implementation of specific strategies; and whether the recipient proposes to exercise authority to use funds under section 11382(j) of this title , and if so, how the recipient will achieve the goals and outcomes identified in subsection (b)(1)(F); the methodology of the recipient used to determine the priority for funding local projects under section 11382(c)(1) of this title , including the extent to which the priority-setting process— uses periodically collected information and analysis to determine the extent to which each project has resulted in rapid return to permanent housing for those served by the project, taking into account the severity of barriers faced by the people the project serves; considers the full range of opinions from individuals or entities with knowledge of homelessness in the geographic area or an interest in preventing or ending homelessness in the geographic area; is based on objective criteria that have been publicly announced by the recipient; and is open to proposals from entities that have not previously received funds under this part; the extent to which the amount of assistance to be provided under this part to the recipient will be supplemented with resources from other public and private sources, including mainstream programs identified by the Government Accountability Office in the two reports described in section 11313(a)(7) of this title ; demonstrated coordination by the recipient with the other Federal, State, local, private, and other entities serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness and at risk of homelessness in the planning and operation of projects; for collaborative applicants exercising the authority under section 11382(j) of this title to serve homeless families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes, program goals and outcomes, which shall include— preventing homelessness among the subset of such families with children and youth who are at highest risk of becoming homeless, as such term is defined for purposes of this subchapter; or achieving independent living in permanent housing among such families with children and youth, especially those who have a history of doubled-up and other temporary housing situations or are living in a temporary housing situation due to lack of available and appropriate emergency shelter, through the provision of eligible assistance that directly contributes to achieving such results including assistance to address chronic disabilities, chronic physical health or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic violence or childhood abuse, or multiple barriers to employment; and such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to carry out this part in an effective and efficient manner. In addition to the criteria required under paragraph (1), the criteria established under paragraph (1) shall also include the need within the geographic area for homeless services, determined as follows and under the following conditions: The Secretary shall inform each collaborative applicant, at a time concurrent with the release of the notice of funding availability for the grants, of the pro rata estimated grant amount under this part for the geographic area represented by the collaborative applicant. Such estimated grant amounts shall be determined by a formula, which shall be developed by the Secretary, by regulation, not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning upon May 20, 2009 , that is based upon factors that are appropriate to allocate funds to meet the goals and objectives of this part. For a collaborative applicant that represents a combination or consortium of cities or counties, the estimated need amount shall be the sum of the estimated need amounts for the cities or counties represented by the collaborative applicant. Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary shall increase the estimated need amount for a geographic area if necessary to provide 1 year of renewal funding for all expiring contracts entered into under this part for the geographic area. The Secretary shall not require that communities conduct an actual count of homeless people other than those described in paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 11302(a) of this title .

(c) Adjustments The Secretary may adjust the formula described in subsection (b)(2) as necessary— to ensure that each collaborative applicant has sufficient funding to renew all qualified projects for at least one year; and to ensure that collaborative applicants are not discouraged from replacing renewal projects with new projects that the collaborative applicant determines will better be able to meet the purposes of this chapter.

§ 11386b Allocation of amounts and incentives for specific eligible activities

(a) Minimum allocation for permanent housing for homeless individuals and families with disabilities From the amounts made available to carry out this part for a fiscal year, a portion equal to not less than 30 percent of the sums made available to carry out part B and this part, shall be used for permanent housing for homeless individuals with disabilities and homeless families that include such an individual who is an adult or a minor head of household if no adult is present in the household. In calculating the portion of the amount described in paragraph (1) that is used for activities that are described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not count funds made available to renew contracts for existing projects under section 11386c of this title . The 30 percent figure in paragraph (1) shall be reduced proportionately based on need under section 11386a(b)(2) of this title in geographic areas for which subsection (e) applies in regard to subsection (d)(2)(A). The requirement established in paragraph (1) shall be suspended for any year in which funding available for grants under this part after making the allocation established in paragraph (1) would not be sufficient to renew for 1 year all existing grants that would otherwise be fully funded under this part. The requirement established in paragraph (1) shall terminate upon a finding by the Secretary that since the beginning of 2001 at least 150,000 new units of permanent housing for homeless individuals and families with disabilities have been funded under this part.

(b) Set-aside for permanent housing for homeless families with children From the amounts made available to carry out this part for a fiscal year, a portion equal to not less than 10 percent of the sums made available to carry out part B and this part for that fiscal year shall be used to provide or secure permanent housing for homeless families with children.

(c) Treatment of amounts for permanent or transitional housing Nothing in this chapter may be construed to establish a limit on the amount of funding that an applicant may request under this part for acquisition, construction, or rehabilitation activities for the development of permanent housing or transitional housing.

(d) Incentives for proven strategies The Secretary shall provide bonuses or other incentives to geographic areas for using funding under this part for activities that have been proven to be effective at reducing homelessness generally, reducing homelessness for a specific subpopulation, or achieving homeless prevention and independent living goals as set forth in section 11386a(b)(1)(F) of this title . For purposes of this subsection, activities that have been proven to be effective at reducing homelessness generally or reducing homelessness for a specific subpopulation includes— permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals and families; for homeless families, rapid rehousing services, short-term flexible subsidies to overcome barriers to rehousing, support services concentrating on improving incomes to pay rent, coupled with performance measures emphasizing rapid and permanent rehousing and with leveraging funding from mainstream family service systems such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Child Welfare services; and any other activity determined by the Secretary, based on research and after notice and comment to the public, to have been proven effective at reducing homelessness generally, reducing homelessness for a specific subpopulation, or achieving homeless prevention and independent living goals as set forth in section 11386a(b)(1)(F) of this title . To the extent practicable, in providing bonuses or incentives for proven strategies, the Secretary shall seek to maintain a balance among strategies targeting homeless individuals, families, and other subpopulations. The Secretary shall not implement bonuses or incentives that specifically discourage collaborative applicants from exercising their flexibility to serve families with children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes.

(e) Incentives for successful implementation of proven strategies If any geographic area demonstrates that it has fully implemented any of the activities described in subsection (d) for all homeless individuals and families or for all members of subpopulations for whom such activities are targeted, that geographic area shall receive the bonus or incentive provided under subsection (d), but may use such bonus or incentive for any eligible activity under either section 11383 of this title or paragraphs (4) and (5) of section 11374(a) of this title for homeless people generally or for the relevant subpopulation.

§ 11386c Renewal funding and terms of assistance for permanent housing

(a) In general Renewal of expiring contracts for leasing, rental assistance, or operating costs for permanent housing contracts may be funded either— under the appropriations account for this subchapter; or the section 8 [ 42 U.S.C. 1437f ] project-based rental assistance account.

(b) Renewals The sums made available under subsection (a) shall be available for the renewal of contracts in the case of tenant-based assistance, successive 1-year terms, and in the case of project-based assistance, successive terms of up to 15 years at the discretion of the applicant or project sponsor and subject to the availability of annual appropriations, for rental assistance and housing operation costs associated with permanent housing projects funded under this part, or under part C or F (as in effect on the day before the effective date of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009). The Secretary shall determine whether to renew a contract for such a permanent housing project on the basis of certification by the collaborative applicant for the geographic area that— there is a demonstrated need for the project; and the project complies with program requirements and appropriate standards of housing quality and habitability, as determined by the Secretary.

(c) Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the Secretary from renewing contracts under this part in accordance with criteria set forth in a provision of this part other than this section.

§ 11386d Matching funding

(a) In general A collaborative applicant in a geographic area in which funds are awarded under this part shall specify contributions from any source other than a grant awarded under this part, including renewal funding of projects assisted under parts C, D, and F of this subchapter as in effect before the effective date under section 1503 of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, that shall be made available in the geographic area in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the funds provided to recipients in the geographic area, except that grants for leasing shall not be subject to any match requirement.

(b) Limitations on in-kind match The cash value of services provided to the residents or clients of a project sponsor by an entity other than the project sponsor may count toward the contributions in subsection (a) only when documented by a memorandum of understanding between the project sponsor and the other entity that such services will be provided.

(c) Countable activities The contributions required under subsection (a) may consist of— funding for any eligible activity described under section 11383 of this title ; and subject to subsection (b), in-kind provision of services of any eligible activity described under section 11383 of this title .

§ 11386e Appeal procedure

(a) In general With respect to funding under this part, if certification of consistency with the consolidated plan pursuant to section 11361 of this title is withheld from an applicant who has submitted an application for that certification, such applicant may appeal such decision to the Secretary.

(b) Procedure The Secretary shall establish a procedure to process the appeals described in subsection (a).

(c) Determination Not later than 45 days after the date of receipt of an appeal described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall determine if certification was unreasonably withheld. If such certification was unreasonably withheld, the Secretary shall review such application and determine if such applicant shall receive funding under this part.

§ 11386f Geographic areas

(a) Requirement to define For purposes of this part, the term “geographic area” shall have such meaning as the Secretary shall by notice provide.

(b) Issuance of notice Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on July 29, 2016 , the Secretary shall issue a notice setting forth the definition required by subsection (a).

§ 11387 Regulations

Not later than the expiration of the 90-day period beginning on October 28, 1992 , the Secretary shall issue interim regulations to carry out this part, which shall take effect upon issuance. The Secretary shall issue final regulations to carry out this part after notice and opportunity for public comment regarding the interim regulations, pursuant to the provisions of section 553 of title 5 (notwithstanding subsections (a)(2), (b)(B), and (d)(3) of such section). The duration of the period for public comment shall not be less than 60 days, and the final regulations shall be issued not later than the expiration of the 60-day period beginning upon the conclusion of the comment period and shall take effect upon issuance. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 433 , formerly § 427, as added Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1403(a) , Oct. 28, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4021 ; renumbered § 432, Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title III, § 1305(2) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1690 ; renumbered § 433, Pub. L. 114–201, title IV, § 401(a)(1) , July 29, 2016 , 130 Stat. 807 .)

§ 11388 Reports to Congress

The Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress annually, summarizing the activities carried out under this part and setting forth the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the Secretary as a result of the activities. The report shall be submitted not later than 4 months after the end of each fiscal year (except that, in the case of fiscal year 1993, the report shall be submitted not later than 6 months after the end of the fiscal year). ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 434 , formerly § 428, as added Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1403(a) , Oct. 28, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4021 ; renumbered § 433, Pub. L. 111–22, div. B, title III, § 1305(2) , May 20, 2009 , 123 Stat. 1690 ; renumbered § 434, Pub. L. 114–201, title IV, § 401(a)(1) , July 29, 2016 , 130 Stat. 807 .)

§ 11389 Indian tribes and tribally designated housing entities

Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, for purposes of this part, an Indian Tribe or tribally designated housing entity (as defined in section 4103 of title 25 ) may— be a collaborative applicant or eligible entity; or receive grant amounts from another entity that receives a grant directly from the Secretary, and use the amounts in accordance with this part. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, § 435 , as added Pub. L. 116–260, div. Q, title I, § 102(a)(2) , Dec. 27, 2020 , 134 Stat. 2166 .)

§ 11408 Rural housing stability grant program

(a) Establishment The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall establish and carry out a rural housing stability grant program. In carrying out the program, the Secretary may award grants to eligible organizations in lieu of grants under part C in order to pay for the Federal share of the cost of— rehousing or improving the housing situations of individuals and families who are homeless or in the worst housing situations in the geographic area; stabilizing the housing of individuals and families who are in imminent danger of losing housing; and improving the ability of the lowest-income residents of the community to afford stable housing.

(b) Use of funds An eligible organization may use a grant awarded under subsection (a) to provide, in rural areas— rent, mortgage, or utility assistance after 2 months of nonpayment in order to prevent eviction, foreclosure, or loss of utility service; security deposits, rent for the first month of residence at a new location, and relocation assistance; short-term emergency lodging in motels or shelters, either directly or through vouchers; construction of new housing units to provide transitional or permanent housing to homeless individuals and families and individuals and families at risk of homelessness; acquisition or rehabilitation of a structure to provide supportive services or to provide transitional or permanent housing, other than emergency shelter, to homeless individuals and families and individuals and families at risk of homelessness; leasing of property, or portions of property, not owned by the recipient or project sponsor involved, for use in providing transitional or permanent housing to homeless individuals and families and individuals and families at risk of homelessness, or providing supportive services to such homeless and at-risk individuals and families; provision of rental assistance to provide transitional or permanent housing to homeless individuals and families and individuals and families at risk of homelessness, such rental assistance may include tenant-based or project-based rental assistance; payment of operating costs for housing units assisted under this subchapter; rehabilitation and repairs such as insulation, window repair, door repair, roof repair, and repairs that are necessary to make premises habitable; development of comprehensive and coordinated support services that use and supplement, as needed, community networks of services, including— outreach services to reach eligible recipients; case management; housing counseling; budgeting; job training and placement; primary health care; mental health services; substance abuse treatment; child care; transportation; emergency food and clothing; family violence services; education services; moving services; entitlement assistance; and referrals to veterans services and legal services; and costs associated with making use of Federal inventory property programs to house homeless families, including the program established under subchapter V of this chapter and the Single Family Property Disposition Program established pursuant to section 1710(g) of title 12 . Not more than 20 percent of the funds transferred under subsection ( l )(1) for a fiscal year may be used by eligible organizations for capacity building activities, including payment of operating costs and staff retention.

(c) Award of grants In awarding grants under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available not less than 50 percent of the funds transferred under subsection ( l )(1) for the fiscal year for grants to eligible organizations serving communities that have populations of less than 10,000. In awarding grants in accordance with subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible organizations serving communities with populations of less than 5,000. In awarding grants under subsection (a), including grants awarded in accordance with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to eligible organizations serving communities not currently receiving significant Federal assistance under this chapter. In awarding grants under subsection (a) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall not award to eligible organizations within a State an aggregate sum of more than 10 percent of the funds transferred under subsection ( l )(1), for the fiscal year.

(d) Application In order to be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), an organization shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. The application shall include, at a minimum— a description of the target population and geographic area to be served; a description of the types of assistance to be provided; an assurance that the assistance to be provided is closely related to the identified needs of the target population; a description of the existing assistance available to the target population, including Federal, State, and local programs, and a description of the manner in which the organization will coordinate with and expand existing assistance or provide assistance not available in the immediate area; an agreement by the organization that the organization will collect data on the projects conducted by the organization, including assistance provided, number and characteristics of persons served, and causes of homelessness for persons served; a description of how individuals and families who are homeless or who have the lowest incomes in the community will be involved by the organization through employment, volunteer services, and otherwise, in providing, operating, and rehabilitating housing assisted under this section and in providing services assisted under this section and services for occupants of housing assisted under this section; a description of consultations that took place within the community to ascertain the most important uses for funding under this section, including the involvement of potential beneficiaries of the project; and a description of the extent and nature of homelessness and of the worst housing situations in the community.

(e) Eligible organizations Organizations eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall include private nonprofit entities and county and local governments.

(f) Matching funding An organization eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a) shall specify matching contributions from any source other than a grant awarded under this part, that shall be made available in the geographic area in an amount equal to not less than 25 percent of the funds provided for the project or activity, except that grants for leasing shall not be subject to any match requirement. The cash value of services provided to the beneficiaries or clients of an eligible organization by an entity other than the organization may count toward the contributions in paragraph (1) only when documented by a memorandum of understanding between the organization and the other entity that such services will be provided. The contributions required under paragraph (1) may consist of— funding for any eligible activity described under subsection (b); and subject to paragraph (2), in-kind provision of services of any eligible activity described under subsection (b).

(g) Selection criteria The Secretary shall establish criteria for selecting recipients of grants under subsection (a), including— the participation of potential beneficiaries of the project in assessing the need for, and importance of, the project in the community; the degree to which the project addresses the most harmful housing situations present in the community; the degree of collaboration with others in the community to meet the goals described in subsection (a); the performance of the organization in improving housing situations, taking account of the severity of barriers of individuals and families served by the organization; for organizations that have previously received funding under this section, the extent of improvement in homelessness and the worst housing situations in the community since such funding began; the need for such funds, as determined by the formula established under section 11386a(b)(2) of this title ; and any other relevant criteria as determined by the Secretary.

(h) Evaluation Not later than 18 months after funding is first made available pursuant to the amendments made by title IV of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, the Secretary shall conduct an evaluation of the program to— determine the effectiveness of the program in meeting the goals described in subsection (a) in the area served; and determine the types of assistance needed to meet the goals described in subsection (a) in rural areas. Not later than 24 months after funding is first made available pursuant to the amendment made by title IV of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009, the Secretary shall submit to Congress the evaluation of the program conducted under paragraph (1), including recommendations for any Federal administrative or legislative changes that may be necessary to improve the ability of rural communities to meet the goals described in subsection (a).

(i) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide technical assistance to eligible organizations in developing programs in accordance with this section, and in gaining access to other Federal resources that may be used to assist homeless persons in rural areas. Such assistance may be provided through regional workshops, and may be provided directly or through grants to, or contracts with, nongovernmental entities.

(j) Termination of assistance If an individual or family who receives assistance under this section violates requirements of the assistance program provided by the organization receiving a grant under this section, the organization may terminate assistance in accordance with a formal process established by the organization that recognizes the rights of individuals receiving such assistance to due process of law, which may include a hearing.

(k) Definitions For purposes of this section: The term “program” means the rural housing stability grant program established under this section. The terms “rural area” and “rural community” mean— any area or community, respectively, no part of which is within an area designated as a standard metropolitan statistical area by the Office of Management and Budget; any area or community, respectively, that is— within an area designated as a metropolitan statistical area or considered as part of a metropolitan statistical area; and located in a county where at least 75 percent of the population is rural; or any area or community, respectively, located in a State that has population density of less than 30 persons per square mile (as reported in the most recent decennial census), and of which at least 1.25 percent of the total acreage of such State is under Federal jurisdiction, provided that no metropolitan city (as such term is defined in section 5302 of this title ) in such State is the sole beneficiary of the grant amounts awarded under this section. The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(l) Program funding The Secretary shall determine the total amount of funding attributable under section 11386a(b)(2) of this title to meet the needs of any geographic area in the Nation that applies for funding under this section. The Secretary shall transfer any amounts determined under this subsection from the Community Homeless Assistance Program and consolidate such transferred amounts for grants under this section, except that the Secretary shall transfer an amount not less than 5 percent of the amount available under part C for grants under this section. Any amounts so transferred and not used for grants under this section due to an insufficient number of applications shall be transferred to be used for grants under part C. Any amount paid to a grant recipient for a fiscal year that remains unobligated at the end of the year shall remain available to the recipient for the purposes for which the payment was made for the next fiscal year. The Secretary shall take such action as may be necessary to recover any amount not obligated by the recipient at the end of the second fiscal year, and shall redistribute the amount to another eligible organization.

(m) Determination of funding source For any fiscal year, in addition to funds awarded under part B, funds under this subchapter to be used in a city or county shall only be awarded under either part C or part D.

§ 11408a Use of FMHA inventory for transitional housing for homeless persons and for turnkey housing

(a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture (in this section referred to as the “Secretary”) shall, on a priority basis, lease or sell program and nonprogram inventory properties held by the Secretary under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 [ 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.]— to provide transitional housing; and to provide turnkey housing for tenants of such transitional housing and for eligible families.

(b) Priority The priority uses of inventory property under this section shall not have a higher priority than— the disposition of such property by sale to eligible families; or the disposition of such property by transfer for use as rental housing by eligible families.

(c) Transitional housing The Secretary shall lease inventory properties to public agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide transitional housing for homeless families and individuals and to provide such agencies the option to provide turnkey housing opportunities for homeless persons and other inadequately housed families. A public agency or nonprofit organization may rent housing leased to it under paragraph (1) to a family for up to 10 years and may, during that period, assist the tenant in obtaining a loan and credit assistance under title V of the Housing Act of 1949 [ 42 U.S.C. 1471 et seq.] to purchase the housing from the Secretary.

(d) Lease procedures Upon receipt by the Secretary of written notification from a public agency or nonprofit organization that it proposes to lease a property for the purpose of providing transitional housing or for the purpose of providing transitional housing and turnkey housing opportunities, the Secretary shall— withdraw the property from the market for not more than 30 days for the purpose of negotiations under subparagraph (B); negotiate a lease agreement with the organization or agency; and if a lease is agreed to, commence the repairs necessary to make the property meet standards for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. A lease of inventory property under this section shall— be for a period of not more than 10 years; provide for the payment of $1 for the 10-year lease; and provide the nonprofit organization or public agency— the right to use the property for transitional housing; and the option to arrange for the sale of the property to an eligible purchaser.

(e) Purchase procedures Upon receipt by the Secretary of written notification from a public agency or nonprofit organization that it proposes to purchase a property for the purpose of providing transitional housing or for the purpose of providing transitional housing and turnkey housing opportunities, the Secretary shall— withdraw the property from the market for not more than 30 days for the purpose of negotiations under subparagraph (B); negotiate a purchase agreement with the organization or agency; and if a purchase agreement is agreed to, commence the repairs necessary to make the property meet standards for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. A purchase of inventory property under this section shall provide for a purchase price equal to not more than the fair market value of the property minus 10 percent.

(f) Employment of homeless individuals A public agency or nonprofit organization may lease or purchase property under this section only if the agency or organization, to the maximum extent practicable, involves homeless individuals and families, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in maintaining, operating, and renovating any properties leased or acquired under this section and in providing any services for occupants of properties assisted under this section.

(g) Participation of homeless individuals The Secretary shall, by regulation, require each public agency and nonprofit organization leasing or purchasing property under this section to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policy making entity of such agency or organization, to the extent that such organization or applicant considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any property acquired under this section. The Secretary may grant a waiver to a public agency or nonprofit organization that is unable to meet the requirement of paragraph (1), if the agency or organization agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.

(h) Budget compliance The authority provided to the Secretary under this section shall be effective only to the extent approved in advance in appropriations Acts.

§ 11411 Use of unutilized and underutilized public buildings and real property to assist the homeless

(a) Identification of suitable property The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, on a quarterly basis, request information from each landholding agency regarding Federal public buildings and other Federal real properties (including fixtures) that are excess property or surplus property or that are described as unutilized or underutilized in surveys by the heads of landholding agencies under section 524(a)(2) and (3) of title 40. No later than 25 days after receiving a request from the Secretary, the head of each landholding agency shall transmit such information to the Secretary. No later than 30 days after receiving such information, the Secretary shall identify which of those buildings and other properties are suitable for use to assist the homeless.

(b) Availability of property The Secretary shall promptly notify each Federal agency with respect to any property of that agency that the Secretary has identified under subsection (a). No later than 45 days after receipt of such a notice, the head of the appropriate landholding agency shall transmit to the Secretary the agency’s response to property identifications contained in such notification, which shall include— in the case of unutilized or underutilized property— a statement of intention to determine the property excess to the agency’s needs; a statement of intention to make the property available for use to assist the homeless; or a statement of the reasons (including a full explanation of the need) the property cannot be determined excess to the agency’s needs or made available for use to assist the homeless; and in the case of excess property— a statement that there is no other compelling Federal need for the property and, therefore, the property will be determined surplus; or a statement that there is further and compelling Federal need for the property (including a full explanation of such need) and that, therefore, the property is not presently available for use to assist the homeless. All properties identified by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall be available for application— in the case of property other than surplus property, for use to assist the homeless in accordance with the provisions of this section; in the case of surplus property, for use to assist the homeless either in accordance with this section or as a public health use in accordance with section 550(a)–(d) of title 40; and in the case of surplus property, the provision of permanent housing with or without supportive services is an eligible use to assist the homeless under this section. The Secretary shall maintain a written public record of— the identification of buildings and other properties by the Secretary under this subsection and the reasons for such identifications; and the responses of landholding agencies to such identifications.

(c) Publication of properties No later than 15 days after the last day of the 45-day period provided for under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall publish on the Web site of the Department of Housing and Urban Development or the General Services Administration— a list of all properties reviewed by the Secretary under subsection (a); and a list of all properties that are available under subsection (b)(2) for application for use to assist the homeless. Each publication of properties shall include a description and the location of each property (including the address and zip code) and the current classification of each property as unutilized, underutilized, excess property, or surplus property. The Secretary shall make available to the public upon request all information in the possession of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (other than valuation information), regardless of format, about all properties reviewed and not identified as being suitable for use to assist the homeless, including the reasons such properties were not so identified. The Secretary shall publish separately, on an annual basis, all properties identified as being suitable for use to assist the homeless, but reported to be unavailable, and the reasons such properties were unavailable. No later than 15 days after the last day of the 45-day period provided for under subsection (b)(1), the Secretary shall transmit a copy of the list of available properties published under paragraph (1)(A)(ii) to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. The Council shall immediately distribute to all State and regional homeless coordinators area-relevant portions of the list. The Secretary, the Administrator, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall make such efforts as are necessary to ensure the widest possible dissemination of the information on such list. The Secretary shall establish a toll-free number to provide the public with specific information about properties on such list. The Secretary shall make available to the public upon request all information (other than valuation information) regardless of format in the possession of the Department of Housing and Urban Development about the properties published under paragraph (1)(A), including environmental assessment data. The Secretary shall maintain a current list of agency contacts for making referrals of inquiries for information about specific properties. On December 31 of each year, the head of each landholding agency shall report to the Secretary the current availability status and the current classification of each property controlled by the agency, that— was included in a list published in that year by the Secretary under paragraph (1)(A)(ii); and remains available for application for use to assist the homeless or has become available for application during that year. No later than February 15 each year, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a list of all properties reported under subparagraph (A) for the preceding year and the current classification of the properties. For purposes of subparagraph (A), property shall not be considered to remain available for application for use to assist the homeless after the 60-day holding period provided under subsection (d) if— an application for or written expression of interest in the property is made under any law for use of the property for any purpose; or the Administrator receives a bona fide offer to purchase the property or advertises for the sale of the property by public auction.

(d) Holding period Properties published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) as available for application for use to assist the homeless shall not be available for any other purpose for a period of 30 days beginning on the date of such publication. If written notice of intent to apply for such a property for use to assist the homeless is received by the Secretary of Health and Human Services within the 30-day period described under paragraph (1), such property may not be made available for any other purpose until the date the Secretary of Health and Human Services or other appropriate landholding agency has completed action on the application submitted under subsection (e) with respect to that written notice of intent. Property that is reviewed by the Secretary under subsection (a) and that is not identified by the Secretary as being suitable for use to assist the homeless may not be made available for any other purpose for 20 days after the determination of unsuitability to allow for review of the determination at the request of the representative of the homeless. The Secretary shall disseminate immediately this information to the regional offices of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. If no such review of the determination is requested within the 20-day period, such property will not be included in subsequent publications unless the landholding agency makes changes to the property (e.g. improvements) that may change the unsuitable determination and the Secretary subsequently determines the property is suitable. Written notice of intent to apply for a property published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) may be filed at any time after the 30-day period described in paragraph (1) has expired. In such case, an application submitted pursuant to the notice may be approved for disposal for use to assist the homeless only if the property remains available for application for use to assist the homeless. If the property remains available, the use to assist the homeless shall be given priority of consideration over other competing disposal opportunities under sections 541–555 of title 40, except as provided in subsection (f)(3)(A). Surplus property for which an application has been approved shall be assigned promptly to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for disposition in accordance with and subject to subsection (f).

(e) Application for property A representative of the homeless may submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services for any property that is published under subsection (c)(1)(A)(ii) as available for application for use to assist the homeless. No later than 75 days after the submission of written notice of intent to apply for a property, an applicant shall submit an initial application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall, with the concurrence of the appropriate landholding agency, grant reasonable extensions. An initial application shall set forth— the services that will be offered; the need for the services; and the experience of the applicant that demonstrates the ability to provide the services. No later than 10 days after receipt of an initial application, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review, make all determinations, and complete all actions on the application. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain a written public record of all actions taken in response to an application. If the Secretary of Health and Human Services approves an initial application, the applicant has 45 days in which to provide a final application that sets forth a reasonable plan to finance the approved program. No later than 15 days after receipt of the final application, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall review, make a final determination, and complete all actions on the final application. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall maintain a public record of all actions taken in response to an application.

(f) Making property available to representatives of homeless Subject to the provisions of this subsection, property for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services has approved an application under subsection (e) shall be made promptly available, at the applicant’s discretion, by permit or lease, or by deed as a public health use under section 550(a)–(d) of title 40, to the representative of the homeless that submitted the application. Unutilized or underutilized property that is the subject of an agency’s statement of intention under subsection (b)(1)(A)(ii) shall be made promptly available by the appropriate landholding agency to the approved applicant by lease or permit for a term of not less than 1 year, unless the applicant requests a shorter term. In disposing of surplus property by deed or lease under sections 541–555 of title 40, the Administrator and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall give priority of consideration to uses to assist the homeless, unless the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that a competing request for the property under section 550 of title 40 is so meritorious and compelling as to outweigh the needs of the homeless. Whenever the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services makes a determination under subparagraph (A), the Administrator or the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall transmit to the appropriate committees of the Congress an explanatory statement detailing the need satisfied by conveyance of the surplus property and the reasons for determining that such need was so meritorious and compelling as to outweigh the needs of the homeless. For any property made available by lease to a representative of the homeless before November 29, 1990 , the Secretary of Health and Human Services may, upon written request by the representative, convey such property by deed to the representative in accordance with, and subject to the requirements of, section 550 of title 40 . The lease term shall not be affected if a deed is not granted.

(g) Records The Secretary shall maintain a written public record of— the reasons for determinations of the Secretary under this section that property is suitable or unsuitable for use to assist the homeless; and the responses of landholding agencies under subsection (b)(1).

(h) Applicability to property under base closure process The provisions of this section shall not apply to buildings and property at military installations that are approved for closure under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101–510 ; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note) after October 25, 1994 . For provisions relating to the use to assist the homeless of buildings and property located at certain military installations approved for closure under such Act, or under title II of the Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act ( Public Law 100–526 ; 10 U.S.C. 2687 note), before October 25, 1994 , see section 2(e) of Base Closure Community Redevelopment and Homeless Assistance Act of 1994.

(i) Definitions For purposes of this section— the term “Administrator” means the Administrator of General Services; each of the terms “excess property” and “surplus property” has the meaning given that term under section 102 of title 40 ; the term “landholding agency” means a Federal department or agency with statutory authority to control real property; the term “representative of the homeless” means a State or local government agency, or private nonprofit organization, which provides services to the homeless; and the term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, except as otherwise provided.

§ 11412 Making surplus personal property available to nonprofit agencies

(a) Omitted

(b) Requirement for notification Within 90 days after July 22, 1987 , the Administrator of General Services shall require each State agency administering a State plan under section 549(a)–(e) of title 40 to make generally available information about surplus personal property which may be used in the provision of food, shelter, or other services to homeless individuals.

(c) Costs Surplus personal property identified pursuant to this section shall be made available to providers of assistance to homeless individuals by a State agency distributing such property at (1) a nominal cost to such organization or (2) at no cost when the Administrator agrees to reimburse the State agency for the costs of care and handling of such property.

§ 11421 Repealed. Pub. L. 105–220, title I, § 199(b)(1), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059

§ 11431 Statement of policy

The following is the policy of the Congress: Each State educational agency shall ensure that each child of a homeless individual and each homeless youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as provided to other children and youths. In any State where compulsory residency requirements or other requirements, in laws, regulations, practices, or policies, may act as a barrier to the identification of, or the enrollment, attendance, or success in school of, homeless children and youths, the State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State will review and undertake steps to revise such laws, regulations, practices, or policies to ensure that homeless children and youths are afforded the same free, appropriate public education as provided to other children and youths. Homelessness is not sufficient reason to separate students from the mainstream school environment. Homeless children and youths should have access to the education and other services that such children and youths need to ensure that such children and youths have an opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards to which all students are held. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 721 , as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1032 , Jan. 8, 2002 , 115 Stat. 1989 ; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9101 , Dec. 10, 2015 , 129 Stat. 2124 .)

§ 11432 Grants for State and local activities for the education of homeless children and youths

(a) General authority The Secretary is authorized to make grants to States in accordance with the provisions of this section to enable such States to carry out the activities described in subsections (d) through (g).

(b) Grants from allotments The Secretary shall make the grants to States from the allotments made under subsection (c)(1).

(c) Allocation and reservations Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary is authorized to allot to each State an amount that bears the same ratio to the amount appropriated for such year under section 11435 of this title that remains after the Secretary reserves funds under paragraph (2) and uses funds to carry out section 11434(d) and (h) of this title, as the amount allocated under section 1122 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ 20 U.S.C. 6332 ] to the State for that year bears to the total amount allocated under section 1122 of such Act to all States for that year, except that no State shall receive less than the greater of— $150,000; one-fourth of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under section 11435 of this title for that year; or the amount such State received under this section for fiscal year 2001. If there are insufficient funds in a fiscal year to allot to each State the minimum amount under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ratably reduce the allotments to all States based on the proportionate share that each State received under this subsection for the preceding fiscal year. The Secretary is authorized to reserve 0.1 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under section 11435 of this title to be allocated by the Secretary among the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, according to their respective need for assistance under this part, as determined by the Secretary. The Secretary shall transfer 1 percent of the amount appropriated for each fiscal year under section 11435 of this title to the Department of the Interior for programs for Indian students served by schools funded by the Secretary of the Interior, as determined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act ( 25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.), 1 that are consistent with the purposes of the programs described in this part. The Secretary and the Secretary of the Interior shall enter into an agreement, consistent with the requirements of this part, for the distribution and use of the funds described in clause (i) under terms that the Secretary determines best meet the purposes of the programs described in this part. Such agreement shall set forth the plans of the Secretary of the Interior for the use of the amounts transferred, including appropriate goals, objectives, and milestones. For purposes of this subsection, the term “State” does not include the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

(d) Activities Grants under this section shall be used for the following: To carry out the policies set forth in section 11431 of this title in the State. To provide services and activities to improve the identification of homeless children and youths (including preschool-aged homeless children) and enable such children and youths to enroll in, attend, and succeed in school, including, if appropriate, in preschool programs. To establish or designate in the State educational agency an Office of the Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths that can sufficiently carry out the duties described for the Office in this part in accordance with subsection (f). To prepare and carry out the State plan described in subsection (g). To develop and implement professional development programs for liaisons designated under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) and other local educational agency personnel— to improve their identification of homeless children and youths; and to heighten the awareness of the liaisons and personnel of, and their capacity to respond to, specific needs in the education of homeless children and youths.

(e) State and local subgrants From the sums made available each year to a State through grants under subsection (a) to carry out this part, the State educational agency shall distribute not less than 75 percent in subgrants to local educational agencies for the purposes of carrying out section 11433 of this title , except that States funded at the minimum level set forth in subsection (c)(1) shall distribute not less than 50 percent in subgrants to local educational agencies for the purposes of carrying out section 11433 of this title . A State educational agency may use the grant funds remaining after the State educational agency distributes subgrants under paragraph (1) to conduct activities under subsection (f) directly or through grants or contracts. Except as provided in subparagraph (B) and section 11433(a)(2)(B)(ii) of this title , in providing a free public education to a homeless child or youth, no State receiving funds under this part shall segregate such child or youth in a separate school, or in a separate program within a school, based on such child’s or youth’s status as homeless. Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), paragraphs (1)(J)(i) and (3) of subsection (g), section 11433(a)(2) of this title , and any other provision of this part relating to the placement of homeless children or youths in schools, a State that has a separate school for homeless children or youths that was operated in fiscal year 2000 in a covered county shall be eligible to receive funds under this part for programs carried out in such school if— the school meets the requirements of subparagraph (C); any local educational agency serving a school that the homeless children and youths enrolled in the separate school are eligible to attend meets the requirements of subparagraph (E); and the State is otherwise eligible to receive funds under this part. For the State to be eligible under subparagraph (B) to receive funds under this part, the school described in such subparagraph shall— provide written notice, at the time any child or youth seeks enrollment in such school, and at least twice annually while the child or youth is enrolled in such school, to the parent or guardian of the child or youth (or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the youth) that— shall be signed by the parent or guardian (or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the youth); sets forth the general rights provided under this part; specifically states— the choice of schools homeless children and youths are eligible to attend, as provided in subsection (g)(3)(A); that no homeless child or youth is required to attend a separate school for homeless children or youths; that homeless children and youths shall be provided comparable services described in subsection (g)(4), including transportation services, educational services, and meals through school meals programs; and that homeless children and youths should not be stigmatized by school personnel; and provides contact information for the local liaison for homeless children and youths and the State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths; provide assistance to the parent or guardian of each homeless child or youth (or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the youth) to exercise the right to attend the parent’s or guardian’s (or youth’s) choice of schools, as provided in subsection (g)(3)(A); and coordinate with the local educational agency with jurisdiction for the school selected by the parent or guardian (or youth), to provide transportation and other necessary services; ensure that the parent or guardian (or, in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the youth) shall receive the information required by this subparagraph in a manner and form understandable to such parent or guardian (or youth), including, if necessary and to the extent feasible, in the native language of such parent or guardian (or youth); and demonstrate in the school’s application for funds under this part that such school— is complying with clauses (i) and (ii); and is meeting (as of the date of submission of the application) the same Federal and State standards, regulations, and mandates as other public schools in the State (such as complying with section 1111 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ 20 U.S.C. 6311 ] and providing a full range of education and related services, including services applicable to students with disabilities). A separate school described in subparagraph (B) that fails to meet the standards, regulations, and mandates described in subparagraph (C)(iv)(II) shall not be eligible to receive funds under this part for programs carried out in such school after the first date of such failure. For the State to be eligible to receive the funds described in subparagraph (B), the local educational agency described in subparagraph (B)(ii) shall— implement a coordinated system for ensuring that homeless children and youths— are advised of the choice of schools provided in subsection (g)(3)(A); are immediately enrolled, in accordance with subsection (g)(3)(C), in the school selected under subsection (g)(3)(A); and are promptly provided necessary services described in subsection (g)(4), including transportation, to allow homeless children and youths to exercise their choices of schools under subsection (g)(3)(A); document that written notice has been provided— in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i) for each child or youth enrolled in a separate school under subparagraph (B); and in accordance with subsection (g)(6)(A)(vi); prohibit schools within the agency’s jurisdiction from referring homeless children or youths to, or requiring homeless children and youths to enroll in or attend, a separate school described in subparagraph (B); identify and remove any barriers that exist in schools within the agency’s jurisdiction that may have contributed to the creation or existence of separate schools described in subparagraph (B); and not use funds received under this part to establish— new or additional separate schools for homeless children or youths; or new or additional sites for separate schools for homeless children or youths, other than the sites occupied by the schools described in subparagraph (B) in fiscal year 2000. The Secretary shall prepare a report on the separate schools and local educational agencies described in subparagraph (B) that receive funds under this part in accordance with this paragraph. The report shall contain, at a minimum, information on— compliance with all requirements of this paragraph; barriers to school access in the school districts served by the local educational agencies; the progress the separate schools are making in integrating homeless children and youths into the mainstream school environment, including the average length of student enrollment in such schools; and the progress the separate schools are making in helping all students meet the challenging State academic standards. For purposes of enabling the Secretary to prepare the report, the separate schools and local educational agencies shall cooperate with the Secretary and the State Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths established in the State under subsection (d)(3), and shall comply with any requests for information by the Secretary and State Coordinator for such State. The Secretary shall submit the report described in clause (i) to— the President; the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives; and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “covered county” means— San Joaquin County, California; Orange County, California; San Diego County, California; and Maricopa County, Arizona.

(f) Functions of the Office of the Coordinator The Coordinator for Education of Homeless Children and Youths established in each State shall— gather and make publicly available reliable, valid, and comprehensive information on— the number of homeless children and youths identified in the State, which shall be posted annually on the State educational agency’s website; the nature and extent of the problems homeless children and youths have in gaining access to public preschool programs and to public elementary schools and secondary schools; the difficulties in identifying the special needs and barriers to the participation and achievement of such children and youths; any progress made by the State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State in addressing such problems and difficulties; and the success of the programs under this part in identifying homeless children and youths and allowing such children and youths to enroll in, attend, and succeed in, school; develop and carry out the State plan described in subsection (g); collect data for and transmit to the Secretary, at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require, a report containing information necessary to assess the educational needs of homeless children and youths within the State, including data necessary for the Secretary to fulfill the responsibilities under section 11434(h) of this title ; in order to improve the provision of comprehensive education and related services to homeless children and youths and their families, coordinate activities and collaborate with— educators, including teachers, special education personnel, administrators, and child development and preschool program personnel; providers of services to homeless children and youths and their families, including public and private child welfare and social services agencies, law enforcement agencies, juvenile and family courts, agencies providing mental health services, domestic violence agencies, child care providers, runaway and homeless youth centers, and providers of services and programs funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.); 1 providers of emergency, transitional, and permanent housing to homeless children and youths, and their families, including public housing agencies, shelter operators, operators of transitional housing facilities, and providers of transitional living programs for homeless youths; local educational agency liaisons designated under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) for homeless children and youths; and community organizations and groups representing homeless children and youths and their families; provide technical assistance to and conduct monitoring of local educational agencies in coordination with local educational agency liaisons designated under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii), to ensure that local educational agencies comply with the requirements of subsection (e)(3) and paragraphs (3) through (7) of subsection (g); provide professional development opportunities for local educational agency personnel and the local educational agency liaison designated under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) to assist such personnel and liaison in identifying and meeting the needs of homeless children and youths, and provide training on the definitions of terms related to homelessness specified in sections 11302, 11360, and 11434a of this title to the liaison; and respond to inquiries from parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and (in the case of unaccompanied youths) such youths, to ensure that each child or youth who is the subject of such an inquiry receives the full protections and services provided by this part.

(g) State plan For any State desiring to receive a grant under this part, the State educational agency shall submit to the Secretary a plan to provide for the education of homeless children and youths within the State. Such plan shall include the following: A description of how such children and youths are (or will be) given the opportunity to meet the same challenging State academic standards as all students are expected to meet. A description of the procedures the State educational agency will use to identify such children and youths in the State and to assess their needs. A description of procedures for the prompt resolution of disputes regarding the educational placement of homeless children and youths. A description of programs for school personnel (including liaisons designated under subparagraph (J)(ii), principals and other school leaders, attendance officers, teachers, enrollment personnel, and specialized instructional support personnel) to heighten the awareness of such school personnel of the specific needs of homeless children and youths, including such children and youths who are runaway and homeless youths. A description of procedures that ensure that homeless children and youths who meet the relevant eligibility criteria are able to participate in Federal, State, or local nutrition programs. A description of procedures that ensure that— homeless children have access to public preschool programs, administered by the State educational agency or local educational agency, as provided to other children in the State; youths described in section 11434a(2) of this title and youths separated from public schools are identified and accorded equal access to appropriate secondary education and support services, including by identifying and removing barriers that prevent youths described in this clause from receiving appropriate credit for full or partial coursework satisfactorily completed while attending a prior school, in accordance with State, local, and school policies; and homeless children and youths who meet the relevant eligibility criteria do not face barriers to accessing academic and extracurricular activities, including magnet school, summer school, career and technical education, advanced placement, online learning, and charter school programs, if such programs are available at the State and local levels. Strategies to address problems identified in the report provided to the Secretary under subsection (f)(3). Strategies to address other problems with respect to the education of homeless children and youths, including problems resulting from enrollment delays that are caused by— requirements of immunization and other required health records; residency requirements; lack of birth certificates, school records, or other documentation; guardianship issues; or uniform or dress code requirements. A demonstration that the State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State have developed, and shall review and revise, policies to remove barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths, and the enrollment and retention of homeless children and youths in schools in the State, including barriers to enrollment and retention due to outstanding fees or fines, or absences. Assurances that the following will be carried out: The State educational agency and local educational agencies in the State will adopt policies and practices to ensure that homeless children and youths are not stigmatized or segregated on the basis of their status as homeless. The local educational agencies will designate an appropriate staff person, able to carry out the duties described in paragraph (6)(A), who may also be a coordinator for other Federal programs, as a local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths. The State and the local educational agencies in the State will adopt policies and practices to ensure that transportation is provided, at the request of the parent or guardian (or in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison), to and from the school of origin (as determined under paragraph (3)), in accordance with the following, as applicable: If the child or youth continues to live in the area served by the local educational agency in which the school of origin is located, the child’s or youth’s transportation to and from the school of origin shall be provided or arranged by the local educational agency in which the school of origin is located. If the child’s or youth’s living arrangements in the area served by the local educational agency of origin terminate and the child or youth, though continuing the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin, begins living in an area served by another local educational agency, the local educational agency of origin and the local educational agency in which the child or youth is living shall agree upon a method to apportion the responsibility and costs for providing the child or youth with transportation to and from the school of origin. If the local educational agencies are unable to agree upon such method, the responsibility and costs for transportation shall be shared equally. The State and the local educational agencies in the State will adopt policies and practices to ensure participation by liaisons described in clause (ii) in professional development and other technical assistance activities provided pursuant to paragraphs (5) and (6) of subsection (f), as determined appropriate by the Office of the Coordinator. A description of how youths described in section 11434a(2) of this title will receive assistance from counselors to advise such youths, and prepare and improve the readiness of such youths for college. Each plan adopted under this subsection shall also describe how the State will ensure that local educational agencies in the State will comply with the requirements of paragraphs (3) through (7). Such plan shall indicate what technical assistance the State will furnish to local educational agencies and how compliance efforts will be coordinated with the local educational agency liaisons designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii). The local educational agency serving each child or youth to be assisted under this part shall, according to the child’s or youth’s best interest— continue the child’s or youth’s education in the school of origin for the duration of homelessness— in any case in which a family becomes homeless between academic years or during an academic year; and for the remainder of the academic year, if the child or youth becomes permanently housed during an academic year; or enroll the child or youth in any public school that nonhomeless students who live in the attendance area in which the child or youth is actually living are eligible to attend. In determining the best interest of the child or youth under subparagraph (A), the local educational agency shall— presume that keeping the child or youth in the school of origin is in the child’s or youth’s best interest, except when doing so is contrary to the request of the child’s or youth’s parent or guardian, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth; consider student-centered factors related to the child’s or youth’s best interest, including factors related to the impact of mobility on achievement, education, health, and safety of homeless children and youth, giving priority to the request of the child’s or youth’s parent or guardian or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth; if, after conducting the best interest determination based on consideration of the presumption in clause (i) and the student-centered factors in clause (ii), the local educational agency determines that it is not in the child’s or youth’s best interest to attend the school of origin or the school requested by the parent or guardian, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth, provide the child’s or youth’s parent or guardian or the unaccompanied youth with a written explanation of the reasons for its determination, in a manner and form understandable to such parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth, including information regarding the right to appeal under subparagraph (E); and in the case of an unaccompanied youth, ensure that the local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii) assists in placement or enrollment decisions under this subparagraph, gives priority to the views of such unaccompanied youth, and provides notice to such youth of the right to appeal under subparagraph (E). The school selected in accordance with this paragraph shall immediately enroll the homeless child or youth, even if the child or youth— is unable to produce records normally required for enrollment, such as previous academic records, records of immunization and other required health records, proof of residency, or other documentation; or has missed application or enrollment deadlines during any period of homelessness. The enrolling school shall immediately contact the school last attended by the child or youth to obtain relevant academic and other records. If the child or youth needs to obtain immunizations or other required health records, the enrolling school shall immediately refer the parent or guardian of the child or youth, or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth, to the local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii), who shall assist in obtaining necessary immunizations or screenings, or immunization or other required health records, in accordance with subparagraph (D). Any record ordinarily kept by the school, including immunization or other required health records, academic records, birth certificates, guardianship records, and evaluations for special services or programs, regarding each homeless child or youth shall be maintained— so that the records involved are available, in a timely fashion, when a child or youth enters a new school or school district; and in a manner consistent with section 1232g of title 20 . If a dispute arises over eligibility, or school selection or enrollment in a school— the child or youth shall be immediately enrolled in the school in which enrollment is sought, pending final resolution of the dispute, including all available appeals; the parent or guardian of the child or youth or (in the case of an unaccompanied youth) the youth shall be provided with a written explanation of any decisions related to school selection or enrollment made by the school, the local educational agency, or the State educational agency involved, including the rights of the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth to appeal such decisions; the parent, guardian, or unaccompanied youth shall be referred to the local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii), who shall carry out the dispute resolution process as described in paragraph (1)(C) as expeditiously as possible after receiving notice of the dispute; and in the case of an unaccompanied youth, the liaison shall ensure that the youth is immediately enrolled in the school in which the youth seeks enrollment pending resolution of such dispute. The choice regarding placement shall be made regardless of whether the child or youth lives with the homeless parents or has been temporarily placed elsewhere. Information about a homeless child’s or youth’s living situation shall be treated as a student education record, and shall not be deemed to be directory information, under section 1232g of title 20 . Nothing in this part shall prohibit a local educational agency from requiring a parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth to submit contact information. In this paragraph: The term “school of origin” means the school that a child or youth attended when permanently housed or the school in which the child or youth was last enrolled, including a preschool. When the child or youth completes the final grade level served by the school of origin, as described in clause (i), the term “school of origin” shall include the designated receiving school at the next grade level for all feeder schools. Each homeless child or youth to be assisted under this part shall be provided services comparable to services offered to other students in the school selected under paragraph (3), including the following: Transportation services. Educational services for which the child or youth meets the eligibility criteria, such as services provided under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.) or similar State or local programs, educational programs for children with disabilities, and educational programs for English learners. Programs in career and technical education. Programs for gifted and talented students. School nutrition programs. Each local educational agency serving homeless children and youths that receives assistance under this part shall coordinate— the provision of services under this part with local social services agencies and other agencies or entities providing services to homeless children and youths and their families, including services and programs funded under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act ( 42 U.S.C. 5701 et seq.); 1 and transportation, transfer of school records, and other interdistrict activities, with other local educational agencies. If applicable, each State educational agency and local educational agency that receives assistance under this part shall coordinate with State and local housing agencies responsible for developing the comprehensive housing affordability strategy described in section 12705 of this title to minimize educational disruption for children and youths who become homeless. The coordination required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall be designed to— ensure that all homeless children and youths are promptly identified; ensure that all homeless children and youths have access to, and are in reasonable proximity to, available education and related support services; and raise the awareness of school personnel and service providers of the effects of short-term stays in a shelter and other challenges associated with homelessness. For children and youths who are to be assisted both under this part, and under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) or section 794 of title 29 , each local educational agency shall coordinate the provision of services under this part with the provision of programs for children with disabilities served by that local educational agency and other involved local educational agencies. Each local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youths, designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii), shall ensure that— homeless children and youths are identified by school personnel through outreach and coordination activities with other entities and agencies; homeless children and youths are enrolled in, and have a full and equal opportunity to succeed in, schools of that local educational agency; homeless families and homeless children and youths have access to and receive educational services for which such families, children, and youths are eligible, including services through Head Start programs (including Early Head Start programs) under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.), and other preschool programs administered by the local educational agency; homeless families and homeless children and youths receive referrals to health care services, dental services, mental health and substance abuse services, housing services, and other appropriate services; the parents or guardians of homeless children and youths are informed of the educational and related opportunities available to their children and are provided with meaningful opportunities to participate in the education of their children; public notice of the educational rights of homeless children and youths is disseminated in locations frequented by parents or guardians of such children and youths, and unaccompanied youths, including schools, shelters, public libraries, and soup kitchens, in a manner and form understandable to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and unaccompanied youths; enrollment disputes are mediated in accordance with paragraph (3)(E); the parent or guardian of a homeless child or youth, and any unaccompanied youth, is fully informed of all transportation services, including transportation to the school of origin, as described in paragraph (1)(J)(iii), and is assisted in accessing transportation to the school that is selected under paragraph (3)(A); school personnel providing services under this part receive professional development and other support; and unaccompanied youths— are enrolled in school; have opportunities to meet the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youth, including through implementation of the procedures under paragraph (1)(F)(ii); and are informed of their status as independent students under section 1087vv of title 20 and that the youths may obtain assistance from the local educational agency liaison to receive verification of such status for purposes of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid described in section 1090 of title 20 . State Coordinators established under subsection (d)(3) and local educational agencies shall inform school personnel, service providers, advocates working with homeless families, parents and guardians of homeless children and youths, and homeless children and youths of the duties of the local educational agency liaisons, and publish an annually updated list of the liaisons on the State educational agency’s website. Local educational agency liaisons for homeless children and youths shall, as a part of their duties, coordinate and collaborate with State Coordinators and community and school personnel responsible for the provision of education and related services to homeless children and youths. Such coordination shall include collecting and providing to the State Coordinator the reliable, valid, and comprehensive data needed to meet the requirements of paragraphs (1) and (3) of subsection (f). A local educational agency liaison designated under paragraph (1)(J)(ii) who receives training described in subsection (f)(6) may affirm, without further agency action by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, that a child or youth who is eligible for and participating in a program provided by the local educational agency, or the immediate family of such a child or youth, who meets the eligibility requirements of this chapter for a program or service authorized under subchapter IV, is eligible for such program or service. Each State educational agency and local educational agency that receives assistance under this part shall review and revise any policies that may act as barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths or the enrollment of homeless children and youths in schools that are selected under paragraph (3). In reviewing and revising such policies, consideration shall be given to issues concerning transportation, immunization, residency, birth certificates, school records and other documentation, and guardianship. Special attention shall be given to ensuring the identification, enrollment, and attendance of homeless children and youths who are not currently attending school.

§ 11433 Local educational agency subgrants for the education of homeless children and youths

(a) General authority The State educational agency shall, in accordance with section 11432(e) of this title , and from amounts made available to such agency under section 11435 of this title , make subgrants to local educational agencies for the purpose of facilitating the identification, enrollment, attendance, and success in school of homeless children and youths. Services under paragraph (1)— may be provided through programs on school grounds or at other facilities; shall, to the maximum extent practicable, be provided through existing programs and mechanisms that integrate homeless children and youths with nonhomeless children and youths; and shall be designed to expand or improve services provided as part of a school’s regular academic program, but not to replace such services provided under such program. If services under paragraph (1) are provided on school grounds, the related schools— may use funds under this part to provide the same services to other children and youths who are determined by the local educational agency to be at risk of failing in, or dropping out of, school, subject to the requirements of clause (ii); and except as otherwise provided in section 11432(e)(3)(B) of this title , shall not provide services in settings within a school that segregate homeless children and youths from other children and youths, except as necessary for short periods of time— for health and safety emergencies; or to provide temporary, special, and supplementary services to meet the unique needs of homeless children and youths. Services provided under this section shall not replace the regular academic program and shall be designed to expand upon or improve services provided as part of the school’s regular academic program. Subgrants made under this section shall be for terms of not to exceed 3 years.

(b) Application A local educational agency that desires to receive a subgrant under this section shall submit an application to the State educational agency at such time, in such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information as the State educational agency may reasonably require. Such application shall include the following: An assessment of the educational and related needs of homeless children and youths in the area served by such agency (which may be undertaken as part of needs assessments for other disadvantaged groups). A description of the services and programs for which assistance is sought to address the needs identified in paragraph (1). An assurance that the local educational agency’s combined fiscal effort per student, or the aggregate expenditures of that agency and the State with respect to the provision of free public education by such agency for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made, was not less than 90 percent of such combined fiscal effort or aggregate expenditures for the second fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the determination is made. An assurance that the applicant complies with, or will use requested funds to comply with, paragraphs (3) through (7) of section 11432(g) of this title . A description of policies and procedures, consistent with section 11432(e)(3) of this title , that the agency will implement to ensure that activities carried out by the agency will not isolate or stigmatize homeless children and youths. An assurance that the local educational agency will collect and promptly provide data requested by the State Coordinator pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (3) of section 11432(f) of this title . An assurance that the local educational agency will meet the requirements of section 11432(g)(3) of this title .

(c) Awards The State educational agency shall, in accordance with the requirements of this part and from amounts made available to it under section 11435 of this title , make competitive subgrants to local educational agencies that submit applications under subsection (b). Such subgrants shall be awarded on the basis of the need of such agencies for assistance under this part and the quality of the applications submitted. In determining need under paragraph (1), the State educational agency may consider the number of homeless children and youths enrolled in early childhood education and other preschool programs, elementary schools, and secondary schools, within the area served by the local educational agency, and shall consider the needs of such children and youths and the ability of the local educational agency to meet such needs. The State educational agency may also consider the following: The extent to which the proposed use of funds will facilitate the identification, enrollment, retention, and educational success of homeless children and youths. The extent to which the application reflects coordination with other local and State agencies that serve homeless children and youths. The extent to which the applicant exhibits in the application and in current practice (as of the date of submission of the application) a commitment to education for all homeless children and youths. Such other criteria as the State agency determines appropriate. In determining the quality of applications under paragraph (1), the State educational agency shall consider the following: The applicant’s needs assessment under subsection (b)(1) and the likelihood that the program presented in the application will meet such needs. The types, intensity, and coordination of the services to be provided under the program. The extent to which the applicant will promote meaningful involvement of parents or guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of their children. The extent to which homeless children and youths will be integrated into the regular education program. The quality of the applicant’s evaluation plan for the program. The extent to which services provided under this part will be coordinated with other services available to homeless children and youths and their families. The extent to which the local educational agency will use the subgrant to leverage resources, including by maximizing nonsubgrant funding for the position of the liaison described in section 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii) of this title and the provision of transportation. How the local educational agency will use funds to serve homeless children and youths under section 1113(c)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6313(c)(3) ). The extent to which the applicant’s program meets such other measures as the State educational agency considers indicative of a high-quality program, such as the extent to which the local educational agency will provide case management or related services to unaccompanied youths.

(d) Authorized activities A local educational agency may use funds awarded under this section for activities that carry out the purpose of this part, including the following: The provision of tutoring, supplemental instruction, and enriched educational services that are linked to the achievement of the same challenging State academic standards as the State establishes for other children and youths. The provision of expedited evaluations of the strengths and needs of homeless children and youths, including needs and eligibility for programs and services (such as educational programs for gifted and talented students, children with disabilities, and English learners, services provided under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 [ 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.] or similar State or local programs, programs in career and technical education, and school nutrition programs). Professional development and other activities for educators and specialized instructional support personnel that are designed to heighten the understanding and sensitivity of such personnel to the needs of homeless children and youths, the rights of such children and youths under this part, and the specific educational needs of runaway and homeless youths. The provision of referral services to homeless children and youths for medical, dental, mental, and other health services. The provision of assistance to defray the excess cost of transportation for students under section 11432(g)(4)(A) of this title , not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, where necessary to enable students to attend the school selected under section 11432(g)(3) of this title . The provision of developmentally appropriate early childhood education programs, not otherwise provided through Federal, State, or local funding, for preschool-aged homeless children. The provision of services and assistance to attract, engage, and retain homeless children and youths, particularly homeless children and youths who are not enrolled in school, in public school programs and services provided to nonhomeless children and youths. The provision for homeless children and youths of before- and after-school, mentoring, and summer programs in which a teacher or other qualified individual provides tutoring, homework assistance, and supervision of educational activities. If necessary, the payment of fees and other costs associated with tracking, obtaining, and transferring records necessary to enroll homeless children and youths in school, including birth certificates, immunization or other required health records, academic records, guardianship records, and evaluations for special programs or services. The provision of education and training to the parents and guardians of homeless children and youths about the rights of, and resources available to, such children and youths, and other activities designed to increase the meaningful involvement of parents and guardians of homeless children or youths in the education of such children or youths. The development of coordination between schools and agencies providing services to homeless children and youths, as described in section 11432(g)(5) of this title . The provision of specialized instructional support services (including violence prevention counseling) and referrals for such services. Activities to address the particular needs of homeless children and youths that may arise from domestic violence and parental mental health or substance abuse problems. The adaptation of space and purchase of supplies for any nonschool facilities made available under subsection (a)(2) to provide services under this subsection. The provision of school supplies, including those supplies to be distributed at shelters or temporary housing facilities, or other appropriate locations. The provision of other extraordinary or emergency assistance needed to enable homeless children and youths to attend school and participate fully in school activities.

§ 11434 Secretarial responsibilities

(a) Review of State plans In reviewing the State plan submitted by a State educational agency under section 11432(g) of this title , the Secretary shall use a peer review process and shall evaluate whether State laws, policies, and practices described in such plan adequately address the problems of homeless children and youths relating to access to education and placement as described in such plan.

(b) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide support and technical assistance to a State educational agency to assist such agency in carrying out its responsibilities under this part, if requested by the State educational agency.

(c) Notice The Secretary shall, before the next school year that begins after December 10, 2015 , update and disseminate nationwide the public notice described in this subsection (as in effect prior to such date) of the educational rights of homeless children and youths. The Secretary shall disseminate the notice nationwide to all Federal agencies, and grant recipients, serving homeless families or homeless children and youths.

(d) Evaluation, dissemination, and technical assistance The Secretary shall conduct evaluation, dissemination, and technical assistance activities for programs designed to meet the educational needs of homeless elementary and secondary school students, and may use funds appropriated under section 11435 of this title to conduct such activities.

(e) Submission and distribution The Secretary shall require applications for grants under this part to be submitted to the Secretary not later than the expiration of the 120-day period beginning on the date that funds are available for purposes of making such grants and shall make such grants not later than the expiration of the 180-day period beginning on such date.

(f) Determination by Secretary The Secretary, based on the information received from the States and information gathered by the Secretary under subsection (h), shall determine the extent to which State educational agencies are ensuring that each homeless child and homeless youth has access to a free appropriate public education, as described in section 11431(1) of this title . The Secretary shall provide support and technical assistance to State educational agencies, concerning areas in which documented barriers to a free appropriate public education persist.

(g) Guidelines The Secretary shall develop, issue, and publish in the Federal Register, not later than 60 days after December 10, 2015 , guidelines concerning ways in which a State— may assist local educational agencies to implement the provisions related to homeless children and youths amended by that Act; and may review and revise State policies and procedures that may present barriers to the identification of homeless children and youths, and the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children and youths in school.

(h) Information From funds appropriated under section 11435 of this title , the Secretary shall, directly or through grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements, periodically collect and disseminate data and information regarding— the number and primary nighttime residence of homeless children and youths in all areas served by local educational agencies; the education and related services such children and youths receive; the extent to which the needs of homeless children and youths are being met; and such other data and information as the Secretary determines to be necessary and relevant to carry out this part. The Secretary shall coordinate such collection and dissemination with other agencies and entities that receive assistance and administer programs under this part.

(i) Report Not later than 4 years after December 10, 2015 , the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the President and the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the status of education of homeless children and youths, which shall include information on— the education of homeless children and youths; and the actions of the Secretary and the effectiveness of the programs supported under this part.

§ 11434a Definitions

For purposes of this part: The terms “enroll” and “enrollment” include attending classes and participating fully in school activities. The term “homeless children and youths”— means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(1) of this title ); and includes— children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; or are abandoned in hospitals; children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 11302(a)(2)(C) 1 of this title); children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and migratory children (as such term is defined in section 6399 of title 20 ) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this part because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii). The terms “local educational agency” and “State educational agency” have the meanings given such terms in section 7801 of title 20 . The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Education. The term “State” means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The term “unaccompanied youth” includes a homeless child or youth not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 725 , as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1032 , Jan. 8, 2002 , 115 Stat. 2005 ; amended Pub. L. 114–95, title IX , §§ 9105(a), 9215(zz), Dec. 10, 2015 , 129 Stat. 2136 , 2184.)

§ 11435 Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $85,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2017 through 2020. ( Pub. L. 100–77, title VII, § 726 , as added Pub. L. 107–110, title X, § 1032 , Jan. 8, 2002 , 115 Stat. 2006 ; amended Pub. L. 110–289, div. B, title IX, § 2901(a) , July 30, 2008 , 122 Stat. 2875 ; Pub. L. 114–95, title IX, § 9106 , Dec. 10, 2015 , 129 Stat. 2137 .)

§§ 11441 to 11447 Repealed. Pub. L. 105–220, title I, § 199(a)(5), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059

§ 11448 Repealed. Pub. L. 107–95, § 5(e)(4), Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 918

§§ 11449, 11450 Repealed. Pub. L. 105–220, title I, § 199(a)(5), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059

§§ 11461 to 11466 Repealed. Pub. L. 105–220, title I, § 199(b)(1), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059

§§ 11471, 11472 Repealed. Pub. L. 105–220, title I, § 199(b)(1), Aug. 7, 1998, 112 Stat. 1059

§§ 11481 to 11489 Repealed. Pub. L. 104–235, title I, § 142(b), Oct. 3, 1996, 110 Stat. 3089