[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2234 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2234
To make improvements to the Emergency Solutions Grants and Continuum of
Care programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 9, 2025
Mr. Rounds (for himself, Ms. Smith, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Crapo) introduced
the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee
on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To make improvements to the Emergency Solutions Grants and Continuum of
Care programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Reducing Homelessness Through
Program Reform Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term
``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate; and
(B) the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives.
(2) At risk of homelessness.--The term ``at risk of
homelessness'' has the meaning given the term in section 401 of
the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360).
(3) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the
Department of Housing and Urban Development.
(4) Homeless.--The term ``homeless'' has the meaning given
the term in section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302).
(5) Public housing agency.--The term ``public housing
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 3(b) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)).
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'', except as otherwise
provided, means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS FOR THE EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS
PROGRAM.
Section 418 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11378) is amended by striking ``7.5 percent'' and inserting ``10
percent''.
SEC. 4. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTINUUM OF CARE PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 402(g) (42 U.S.C. 11360a(g))--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph
(3); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Time limit on designation.--The Secretary--
``(A) shall accept applications for designation as
a unified funding agency annually or biennially, which
designation shall be effective for not more than 2
years; and
``(B) may, on an annual or biennial basis, renew
any designation under subparagraph (A).'';
(2) in section 422 (42 U.S.C. 11382)--
(A) in subsection (b)--
(i) by striking ``The Secretary'' and
inserting the following:
``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the
Secretary''; and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) 2-year notification.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Secretary may issue a notification of
funding availability for grants awarded under this subtitle
that provides funding for 2 successive fiscal years, which
shall--
``(A) award funds for the second year of projects,
including adjustments under subsection (f), unless the
project is underperforming, as determined by the
collaborative applicant, and the collaborative
applicant applies to replace the project with a new
project; and
``(B) include--
``(i) the method for applying for and
awarding projects to replace underperforming
projects in year 2;
``(ii) the method for applying for and
awarding renewals of expiring grants for
projects that were not eligible for renewal in
the first fiscal year;
``(iii) the method for allocating any
amounts in the second fiscal year that are in
excess of the amount needed to fund the second
fiscal year of all grants awarded in the first
fiscal year;
``(iv) the method of applying for and
awarding grants, which are 1-year transition
grants awarded by the Secretary to project
sponsors for activities under this subtitle to
transition from 1 eligible activity to another
eligible activity if the recipient--
``(I) has the consent of the
continuum of care; and
``(II) meets standards determined
by the Secretary;
``(C) announce by notice the award of second fiscal
year funding and awards for new and renewal projects;
and
``(D) identify the process by which the Secretary
may approve replacement of a collaborative applicant
that is not a unified funding agency to receive the
award in the second fiscal year.'';
(B) in subsection (c)(2)--
(i) by striking ``(A) In general.--Except
as provided in subparagraph (B), the
Secretary'' and inserting ``The Secretary'';
and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(C) in subsection (e), by striking ``1 year'' and
inserting ``2 years'';
(3) in section 423(a) (42 U.S.C. 11383)--
(A) in paragraph (4), in the third sentence--
(i) by striking ``, at the discretion of
the applicant and the project sponsor,''; and
(ii) by inserting ``not more than'' before
``15 years'';
(B) in paragraph (7), in the matter preceding
subparagraph (A), by inserting ``payment of not more
than 6 months of arrears for rent and utility
expenses,'' after ``moving costs,''; and
(C) in paragraph (10), by striking ``3 percent''
and inserting ``the greater of $70,000 or 5 percent'';
(4) in section 425 (42 U.S.C. 11385), by adding at the end
the following:
``(f) Adjustment of Costs.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this subsection, and on a biennial basis thereafter, the
Comptroller General of the United States--
``(1) shall study the hiring, retention, and compensation
levels of the workforce providing the services described in
subsection (c), including executive directors, case managers,
and front line staff, and examine whether low compensation is
undermining program effectiveness;
``(2) shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on any findings, and to the Secretary any
recommendations, as the Comptroller General considers
appropriate regarding funding levels for the cost of the
supportive services and the staffing to provide the services
described in subsection (c); and
``(3) in carrying out the study under paragraph (1), may
reference the Consumer Price Index or other similar surveys.'';
(5) in section 426 (42 U.S.C. 11386), by adding at the end
the following:
``(h) Inspections.--When complying with inspection requirements for
a housing unit provided to a homeless individual or family using
assistance under this subtitle, the Secretary may allow a grantee to--
``(1) conduct a pre-inspection not more than 60 days before
leasing the unit;
``(2) conduct a remote or video inspection of the unit; and
``(3) allow the unit to be leased prior to completion of an
inspection if the unit passed an alternative Federal inspection
within the preceding 12-month period, so long as the unit is
inspected not later than 15 days after the start of the
lease.''; and
(6) in section 430 (42 U.S.C. 11386d), by adding at the end
the following:
``(d) Costs Paid by Program Income.--With respect to grant amounts
awarded under this subtitle, costs paid by the program income of a
grant recipient may count toward the contributions required under
subsection (a) if the costs--
``(1) are eligible expenses under this subtitle;
``(2) meet standards determined by the Secretary; and
``(3) supplement activities carried out by the recipient
under this subtitle.''.
(b) Other Modifications.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
(A) the terms ``collaborative applicant'' and
``eligible entity'' have the meanings given those terms
in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360); and
(B) the terms ``Indian tribe'' and ``tribally
designated housing entity'' have the meanings given
those terms in section 4 of the Native American Housing
Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25
U.S.C. 4103).
(2) Nonapplication of civil rights laws.--With respect to
the funds made available for the Continuum of Care program
authorized under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.) under the
heading ``Homeless Assistance Grants'' in the Department of
Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public
Law 116-260) and under section 231 of the Department of Housing
and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020 (42 U.S.C.
11364a), title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000d et seq.) and title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968
(42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.) shall not apply to applications by or
awards for projects to be carried out--
(A) on or off reservation or trust lands for awards
made to Indian tribes or tribally designated housing
entities; or
(B) on reservation or trust lands for awards made
to eligible entities.
(3) Certification.--With respect to funds made available
for the Continuum of Care program authorized under subtitle C
of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11381 et seq.) under the heading ``Homeless Assistance
Grants'' under section 231 of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2020 (42 U.S.C. 11364a)--
(A) applications for projects to be carried out on
reservations or trust land shall contain a
certification of consistency with an approved Indian
housing plan developed under section 102 of the Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act
(25 U.S.C. 4112), notwithstanding section 106 of the
Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42
U.S.C. 12706) and section 403 of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11361);
(B) Indian tribes and tribally designated housing
entities that are recipients of awards for projects on
reservations or trust land shall certify that they are
following an approved housing plan developed under
section 102 of the Native American Housing Assistance
and Self-Determination Act (25 U.S.C. 4112); and
(C) a collaborative applicant for a Continuum of
Care whose geographic area includes only reservation
and trust land is not required to meet the requirement
in section 402(f)(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360a(f)(2)).
SEC. 5. AMENDMENTS TO THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM.
Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C.
1437f(o)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (5), by adding at the end the following:
``(C) Exceptions.--Notwithstanding subparagraph
(A)--
``(i) a public housing agency may accept a
third party income calculation and verification
of family income for purposes of this
subsection if--
``(I) the calculation and
verification was completed for
determination of income eligibility for
a Federal program or service during the
preceding 12-month period; and
``(II) there has been no change in
income or family composition since the
calculation and verification under
clause (i); and
``(ii) when using prior year income under
section 3(a)(7)(B), a public housing agency
shall use the income of the family as
determined by the agency or owner for the prior
calendar year or another 12-month period ending
during the preceding 12 months, taking into
consideration any redetermination of income
between the start of such prior calendar year
or other 12-month period and the date of the
annual review.'';
(2) in paragraph (8)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)(iii)--
(i) in the clause heading, by striking
``for interim period'';
(ii) in the first sentence--
(I) by striking ``before'' and
inserting ``without performing''; and
(II) by striking ``has been
completed'' and all that follows
through ``subparagraph (B)''; and
(iii) in the second sentence, by striking
``subparagraph (D)'' and inserting
``subparagraphs (D) and (F)'';
(B) in subparagraph (C), by adding at the end the
following: ``This subparagraph shall not apply with
respect to a dwelling unit for which the public housing
agency relied on an alternative inspection method under
subparagraph (E) as the initial inspection.''; and
(C) in subparagraph (E)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) by inserting ``(I)'' after
``(i)'';
(II) in subclause (I), as so
designated, by striking ``and'' at the
end; and
(III) by adding at the end the
following:
``(II) the public housing agency (or other
entity pursuant to paragraph (11)) conducted
the inspection during the preceding 12-month
period when the unit was occupied by a previous
tenant assisted under this subsection or was
vacant; or
``(III) the public housing agency--
``(aa) conducted a pre-inspection
not more than 60 days before leasing a
unit;
``(bb) conducted a remote or video
inspection of a unit; or
``(cc) allowed a unit to be leased
prior to completion of an inspection if
the unit passed alternative inspection
within the preceding 12-month period,
so long as the unit is inspected not
later than 15 days after the start of
the lease; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(23) Use of housing assistance funds for deposits and
holding fees.--
``(A) In general.--A public housing agency may use
current and prior year available housing assistance for
tenant-based rental assistance under this subsection
for--
``(i) standard security deposits for rent,
utilities, and any other deposits allowed by
the Secretary that are necessary to lease a
dwelling unit under this subsection; and
``(ii) fees to hold an available dwelling
unit under this subsection during the
inspection and approval process.
``(B) Maximum amount.--The maximum amount a public
housing agency may provide to or on behalf of a family
under clause (i) or (ii) of subparagraph (A) is the
equivalent of 1 month's rent of the selected unit for
each of the purposes under those clauses.
``(C) Allocation baseline.--Any funds used for the
purposes described in subparagraph (A) shall be part of
the allocation baseline for tenant-based contract
renewals.
``(D) Cap.--The Secretary shall establish a cap to
limit the percentage of funds made available under a
housing assistance payment contract that a public
housing agency may use for the purposes described in
subparagraph (A).''.
SEC. 6. TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES.
(a) E-Snaps System.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2025, in addition to
amounts otherwise available, to remain available until
expended, for information technology upgrades to the E-Snaps
system used to support the program application and awards
process under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.).
(2) Development process.--In the development process of
upgrading the E-Snaps system described in paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall--
(A) focus on the needs of users of the E-Snaps
system, meaning grant recipients and other relevant
stakeholders, and take into consideration, to the
extent practicable--
(i) the guidelines outlined in the U.S. Web
Design Standards maintained by the General
Services Administration and the Digital
Services Playbook and TechFAR Handbook for
Procuring Digital Services Using Agile
Processes; and
(ii) the relevant successor documents or
recommendations of such guidelines;
(B) use modern, relevant privacy- and security-
enhancing technology; and
(C) plan for the ongoing operations and maintenance
of the system and product to ensure its ongoing
capability.
(3) Nonapplication of the paperwork reduction act.--
Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code,
shall not apply to any aspect of the development process
described in paragraph (2).
(b) Expansion of Working Capital Fund for Information Technology
Services.--Section 7(f) of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3535(f)) is amended--
(1) by striking ``The Secretary'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Secretary''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Working capital fund information technology
activities.--
``(A) In general.--The authorized services of the
working capital fund established under paragraph (1)
(in this paragraph referred to as the `Fund') shall
include the activities described in this paragraph for
information technology, which shall be managed by the
Chief Information Officer of the Department under the
overall Fund management of the Office of the Chief
Financial Officer.
``(B) Activities.--The Fund shall be used for
recurring and nonrecurring expenses relating to
information technology needs of the Department,
including services, products, upgrades, modernization,
and maintenance needs and projects, for the purposes of
meaningfully improving digital service and program
delivery and customer experience.
``(C) Transfers and deposits.--
``(i) In general.--The Fund shall include
unobligated balances of expired discretionary
funds appropriated in fiscal year 2025 or any
succeeding fiscal year from the general fund of
the Treasury to the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, which may be transferred,
not later than the end of the fifth fiscal year
after the last fiscal year for which such funds
are available for the purposes for which they
were appropriated, into the Fund for use under
this paragraph.
``(ii) Salaries and expenses.--Of the
amounts made available for salaries and
expenses in a fiscal year, excluding amounts
made available under the heading `Office of
Inspector General', a total of up to
$10,000,000 may be transferred to the Fund for
use under this paragraph.
``(iii) Availability.--Amounts transferred
to or deposited in the Fund under this
subparagraph shall be available until expended,
in addition to such other funds as may be
available for the activities described in
subparagraph (B), subject to approval by the
Office of Management and Budget.''.
SEC. 7. IMPROVING COORDINATION BETWEEN HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS AND
SUPPORTIVE SERVICES.
(a) Report by National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and
Medicine.--Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of
Housing and Urban Development shall seek to enter into an agreement
with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to
conduct and submit to the appropriate congressional committees an
evidence-based, nonpartisan analysis that--
(1) reviews the research on linkages between health care
and homelessness and analyzes the effect of greater
coordination and partnerships between health care
organizations, mental health and substance use disorder and
substance use disorder service providers, and housing service
providers, including possible cost-savings of providing greater
access to health services, recovery housing, or housing-related
supportive services for individuals experiencing chronic
homelessness and other types of homelessness; and
(2) includes policy and program recommendations for
improving access to health care and housing, health care and
housing outcomes, possible cost-savings and efficiencies, and
best practices.
(b) Demonstration Authority.--
(1) In general.--Subtitle A of title IV of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 409. DEMONSTRATION AUTHORITY.
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Covered recipient.--The term `covered recipient'
means a recipient of assistance under this title.
``(2) Healthcare organization.--The term `healthcare
organization' means a provider of physical or behavioral
healthcare, including--
``(A) a hospital;
``(B) a community health center;
``(C) a provider of substance use or mental health
services; and
``(D) a provider of public health services and
initiatives, which may include area agencies on aging.
``(3) Housing provider.--The term `housing provider' means
an entity, including a grant recipient under subtitle B or C of
this title, a public housing agency (as defined in section 3 of
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a)), or a
federally funded organization or a nonprofit organization,
providing housing services, including rapid re-housing,
transitional housing, housing choice vouchers, and housing-
related supportive services to individuals experiencing or at
risk of homelessness.
``(b) Authority.--The Secretary may establish demonstration
projects or partnerships that involve collaboration between housing
providers and healthcare organizations to provide housing-related
supportive services, such as housing navigation, placement, financing,
and casework, or improve access to health services for homeless
individuals or those at risk of homelessness, including--
``(1) assistance in coordinating data systems with the
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (Public Law
104-191); and
``(2) projects or partnerships that are aimed at serving
individuals--
``(A) who are homeless, chronically homeless, or at
risk of homelessness; and
``(B) with--
``(i) a high-use of emergency services or
emergency departments;
``(ii) chronic disabilities, including
physical health or mental health conditions;
``(iii) substance use disorders;
``(iv) serious mental illness; or
``(v) other severe service needs.
``(c) Report.--
``(1) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In
this subsection, the term `appropriate congressional
committees' means--
``(A) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban
Affairs of the Senate; and
``(B) the Committee on Financial Services of the
House of Representatives.
``(2) Requirement.--Not later than 2 years after the date
of enactment of this Act, and every 4 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional
committees a report on each demonstration project or
partnership established under this section.''.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
contents in section 101(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 note) is amended by inserting
after the item relating to section 408 the following:
``Sec. 409. Demonstration authority.''.
SEC. 8. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS.
(a) Advisory Committee on Homelessness.--
(1) In general.--Subtitle A of title IV of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.), as
amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``SEC. 410. ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON HOMELESSNESS.
``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the Department of
Housing and Urban Development (in this section referred to as the
`Department') the Advisory Committee on Homelessness (in this section
referred to as the `Committee').
``(b) Membership.--
``(1) In general.--The Committee shall consist of not less
than 10 and not more than 15 members jointly appointed by the
Secretary and the Executive Director of the United States
Interagency Council on Homelessness (in this section referred
to as the `Executive Director') from among the following:
``(A) Individuals who have experienced or are
currently experiencing homelessness.
``(B) A representative of or advocate for people
experiencing homelessness.
``(C) A community-based provider of services for
people experiencing homelessness.
``(D) A provider of or expert in affordable housing
or permanent housing services.
``(E) A provider of or expert in health care for
people experiencing homelessness.
``(F) A provider of mental health, substance use
disorder, or wraparound services.
``(G) A provider of job training and employment
assistance programs or services.
``(H) A representative of a federally-recognized
Indian tribe who has experience in Tribal housing and
homelessness services.
``(I) An individual representing local government
or local law enforcement.
``(J) Such other organization, group, or
stakeholder as the Secretary and Executive Director
consider appropriate.
``(2) Ex-officio members.--The Committee shall include, as
ex officio members--
``(A) the Secretary, or a representative thereof,
and the Executive Director, or a representative
thereof;
``(B) the Secretaries, or representatives thereof,
of--
``(i) Health and Human Services;
``(ii) Agriculture;
``(iii) Education;
``(iv) Veterans Affairs;
``(C) the Assistant Secretary of Health and Human
Services for Mental Health and Substance Use, or a
representative thereof;
``(D) the Director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs,
or a representative thereof; and
``(E) such other ex officio members as the
Secretary and the Executive Director consider
appropriate.
``(3) Period of appointment; vacancies.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary and Executive
Director shall determine the terms of service of the
members of the Committee, except that--
``(i) a term of service may not exceed 4
years; and
``(ii) the Secretary may reappoint any
member for additional terms of service.
``(B) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Committee--
``(i) shall not affect the powers of the
Committee; and
``(ii) shall be filled in the same manner
as the original appointment.
``(c) Meetings.--
``(1) Initial meeting.--Not later than 6 months after the
date on which all members of the Committee have been appointed,
the Committee shall hold the first meeting of the Committee.
``(2) Frequency.--The Committee shall meet at the call of
the Chairperson.
``(3) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Committee
shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may
hold hearings.
``(d) Chairperson and Vice Chairperson.--The Committee shall select
a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the
Committee.
``(e) Best Practices.--The Secretary and the Executive Director
shall implement strategies and activities associated with best
practices of incorporating advisory groups of people with lived
experience, this may include--
``(1) orientation and training for Committee members on the
work of the Secretary, the United States Interagency Council on
Homelessness, and relevant agencies;
``(2) training and professional development on best
practices for effective engagement with the lived experience
advisory group for involved staff for the Department; and
``(3) strategies to reduce barriers to participation for
individuals with lived experience of homelessness.
``(f) Duties of the Committee.--
``(1) Advice to secretary and executive director.--
``(A) Consultation.--The Secretary and the
Executive Director shall consult with and seek the
advice of the Committee on a regular basis with respect
to policy, programs, and initiatives related to
homelessness.
``(B) Activities.--In providing advice to the
Secretary and Executive Director under this subsection,
the Committee, drawing from their own independent
judgement, shall--
``(i) assemble and review information
relating to the needs, experiences, and
expertise of people experiencing homelessness;
``(ii) provide an on-going assessment of
the effectiveness of the policies, programs,
and services of the Department in assisting
people experiencing homelessness and creating
interim, transitional, and permanent housing
opportunities;
``(iii) provide on-going advice on the most
appropriate, effective, and dignified means of
assisting all populations of people
experiencing homelessness; and
``(iv) provide on-going insights for
departments, policies, and programs across the
Federal Government that serve people
experiencing homelessness.
``(2) Additional activities.--The Committee shall--
``(A) primarily review the continuum of
homelessness and homelessness prevention services
provided by the Department and assess new policies,
programs, and procedures related to homelessness
resources, supportive services, and prevention,
including--
``(i) identifying recommendations to
address programmatic gaps and barriers to
effectively serving the full demographic and
geographic spectrum of people experiencing
homelessness and at risk of homelessness;
``(ii) uplifting best practices, innovative
solutions, efficiencies, and local policy
initiatives for consideration by the
Department, as well as identifying successes
within the policies and programs of the
Department; and
``(iii) identifying opportunities for
increased liaison by the Department with
nongovernmental organizations, State and local
governments, and individual groups providing
services to homeless populations;
``(B) advise agency partners within the United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness to
strengthen coordination of all services involved in
addressing needs of people experiencing homeless,
including by--
``(i) identifying recommendations to
strengthen the accessibility and efficacy of
Federal programs and policies that serve people
experiencing homelessness; and
``(ii) identifying areas for increased
streamlining, flexibilities, efficiency, and
synchronization under existing laws and
policies to promote effective coordination of
Federal agencies with State and local agencies
addressing homelessness; and
``(C) perform such other functions as the
Secretary, the Executive Director, and Committee
members may direct.
``(g) Powers of Committee.--
``(1) Hearings.--The Committee may hold such hearings, sit
and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and
receive such evidence as the Committee considers advisable to
carry out this section.
``(2) Information from federal agencies.--
``(A) In general.--The Committee may secure
directly from a Federal department or agency such
information as the Committee considers necessary to
carry out this section.
``(B) Furnishing information.--On request of the
Chairperson of the Committee, the head of the
department or agency shall furnish the information to
the Committee.
``(3) Postal services.--The Committee may use the United
States mails in the same manner and under the same conditions
as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
``(4) Donations.--The Committee may accept, use, and
dispose of donations of services or property.
``(h) Committee Personnel Matters.--
``(1) Compensation of members.--A member of the Committee
who is not paid by their employer while attending and
participating in activities of the Committee may receive
compensation at a rate established by the Secretary and
Executive Director and in accordance with guidance of the
Department on best practices for compensating people with
expertise based on their lived experience of homelessness.
``(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee who is
not paid by their employer while attending and participating in
activities of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized
for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of
title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or
regular places of business in the performance of services for
the Committee.
``(3) Executive director and staff.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall detail a
staff member of the Department of Housing and Urban
Development to serve as executive director of the
Committee and such other additional personnel as may be
necessary to enable the Committee to perform its
duties, except that the appointment of an executive
director shall be subject to confirmation by the
Committee.
``(B) Detail of government employees.--A Federal
Government employee may be detailed to the Committee
without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without
interruption or loss of civil service status or
privilege.
``(4) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
The Chairperson of the Committee may procure temporary and
intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United
States Code, at rates for individuals that do not exceed the
daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for
level V of the Executive Schedule under section 5316 of that
title.
``(i) Reports.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 3 months after the Annual
Homelessness Assessment Report is released each year, the
Committee shall submit to the Secretary and the Executive
Director a brief report on select programs and activities of
the Department and United States Interagency Council on
Homelessness that relate to homelessness, which may include--
``(A) an assessment of the experiences and needs of
people experiencing homelessness;
``(B) a brief review of successes and areas to
strengthen within programs and activities of the
Department and United States Interagency Council on
Homelessness;
``(C) a review of the activities of the Committee;
and
``(D) such recommendations (including
recommendations for administrative and legislative
action) as the Committee considers appropriate.
``(2) Transmission to congress.--Not later than 90 days
after the receipt of a report under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall transmit to the Committee Banking, Housing, and
Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Financial
Services of the House of Representatives a copy of the report,
together with any comments and recommendations concerning the
report that the Secretary considers appropriate.
``(3) Additional reports and recommendations.--The
Committee may submit to the Secretary and the Executive
Director such other reports and recommendations as the
Committee considers appropriate.
``(j) Termination.--Section 1013 of title 5, United States Code,
shall not apply to the Committee.
``(k) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be
appropriated for the Committee $150,000 for each of fiscal years 2025
through 2030 to carry out this section, to remain available until
expended.''.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
contents in section 101(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 note), as amended by this Act,
is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 409
the following:
``Sec. 410. Advisory Committee on Homelessness.''.
(b) Grantees and Member Agencies.--The Secretary and the United
States Interagency Council on Homelessness shall support its grantees
and Federal member agencies in incorporating individuals with lived
experience of homelessness within their homelessness programs, relevant
committees, and workgroups, including by--
(1) examining opportunities to incentivize meaningfully
including the expertise of individuals with lived and ongoing
experiences of homelessness in grants, policies, and programs
that impact individuals at risk of or experiencing
homelessness, as well as opportunities to compensate people
with lived experience for their contributions; and
(2) addressing barriers such as Federal program eligibility
and caps on earned income to ensure individuals with lived
experience of homelessness are compensated for their
participation in planning activities and input processes
without risking any benefits or assistance that they receive
from the Federal Government, which may include the provision of
waivers, subject to a process determined by the Secretary,
regarding eligibility for Federal housing assistance programs
to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for those
programs if not for the compensation provided for their
consultation services.
SEC. 9. STREAMLINING COORDINATED ENTRY.
(a) Audit by the Comptroller General.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall--
(1) conduct a multi-community evaluation of the operations
of coordinated assessment systems by 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.) program to
examine the efficiency, accuracy, and outcomes of those
operations; and
(2) submit to the appropriate congressional committees on
any findings and to the Secretary on any recommendations, as
the Comptroller General considers appropriate, for a more
effective and efficient coordinated entry process.
(b) Assessments.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall--
(1) evaluate the coordinated assessment processes 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.), which shall include--
(A) a request for information from continuums of
care about coordinated entry tools, processes,
barriers, documentation barriers, and necessary
guidance;
(B) incorporating findings from relevant reports
and demonstrations of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development including relevant reports such as
the report described in subsection (a); and
(C) consulting with organizations with expertise in
providing health care to people experiencing
homelessness on best practices in assessment tools for
prioritizing resources and characterizing chronic
homelessness and people experiencing homelessness with
high-service needs;
(2) issue an updated notice, which shall include guidance--
(A) on effective assessment processes that remove
barriers, streamline access, minimize bias, allow for
coordination with public housing agencies, include
trauma-informed data collection practices, improve
accuracy, address needs for underserved groups, and
successfully divert individuals from homelessness; and
(B) that includes all key populations and
subpopulations, including consideration for age, family
status, health status, or other vulnerabilities, access
points, prioritization, programs, and the programs and
systems serving individuals experiencing homelessness
and that allow for local flexibility and tailoring
based on the needs and resources within the specific
community; and
(3) establish a timely, periodic procedure to request
feedback on coordinated assessment and update the guidance,
which may include conducting a request for information not less
frequently than once every 5 years.
SEC. 10. STREAMLINING DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Assessment.--Not later than 18 months after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States
shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate congressional
committees a report that assesses--
(1) the documentation requirements (beyond photo
identification) for determining eligibility and resource
prioritization for homelessness assistance programs of the
Department;
(2) the influence of those documentation requirements on
housing access and resource access; and
(3) recommendations for reducing documentation barriers to
homelessness assistance programs of the Department and
evaluating the opportunity to incorporate the use of State-
issued, existing forms of digital identification that States
have provided all of their residents and are not specific to
people experiencing homelessness.
(b) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall--
(1) evaluate the assessment required under subsection (a);
(2) publish a request for information from continuums of
care and public housing agencies about the matters described in
paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (a); and
(3) submit to the appropriate congressional committees
ongoing reports on the impact of waivers provided in August
2023, and any similar, subsequent waivers, to modify admissions
to the housing choice voucher program under section 8(o) of the
United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) and
expedite assistance to homeless individuals.
SEC. 11. IMPROVING TARGETED DATA COLLECTION, FUNDING, AND COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--The Secretary shall--
(1) issue not less than 1 request for information on--
(A) improving data collection, including through
the use of the Homeless Management Information System
or other data systems,
(B) coordination and use of data between housing
and homelessness providers and physical, mental, and
behavioral health organizations, substance use
treatment providers, the Department of Veterans
Affairs, and the criminal justice system for purposes
of programs involved with providing services for people
experiencing or at risk of homelessness; and
(C) the potential use and value of using artificial
intelligence models for the purpose of improving
program effectiveness and assessing the effectiveness
of interventions for people experiencing or at risk of
homelessness;
(2) consider providing incentives to improve data
collection, enhance the use of the Homeless Management
Information System, implement community information exchanges,
and strengthen the coordination of data from physical, mental,
and behavioral health organizations and the criminal justice
system with housing and homelessness providers, in order to
target resources for housing, outreach, homelessness
prevention, and housing-related supportive services for
homeless individuals, chronically homeless individuals, or
those at risk of homelessness with significant criminal justice
system or law enforcement interaction;
(3) coordinate with the Secretary of the Department of
Veterans Affairs on data sharing to improve coordination
between data for vouchers provided under section 8(o)(19) of
the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)),
the Homeless Management Information System, and any other
applicable homeless program supported by the Department of
Veterans Affairs; and
(4) issue guidance to establish best practices and
mechanisms to enable Homeless Management Information System
data to be made available in a usable format for academic
researchers using artificial intelligence models without
including personally-identifying information and with
appropriate risk-mitigation strategies in place, with the aim
of improving the understanding and effectiveness of
interventions for people experiencing or at risk of
homelessness.
(b) Demonstration Authority.--The Secretary may use unobligated
funding to pilot demonstration projects or partnerships between the
entities described in subsection (a)(2) for purposes of improving
access to housing and support services necessary for gainful and
permanent employment, which may include flexibility and waivers related
to--
(1) program requirements under subtitles B and C of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371 et
seq., 11381 et seq.);
(2) flexibility to serve individuals exiting an institution
where they have resided for 120 days or less and who resided in
an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation
immediately before entering that institution;
(3) flexibility to serve individuals exiting an institution
where they have resided and who otherwise lack a fixed,
regular, and adequate nighttime residence; or
(4) flexibility to serve individuals exiting the criminal
justice system.
(c) USICH Report.--Following a reasonable time after the conclusion
of a demonstration project or partnership described in subsection (b),
the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness shall issue a
publicly available report summarizing those efforts and recommending
best practices.
(d) Guidance.--The Secretary, in coordination with the Attorney
General, shall issue guidance on best practices for improving targeted
data collection, funding, and coordination relating to behavioral
health and criminal justice system interaction with housing assistance
and homelessness programs for the purpose of diverting people who are
exiting institutions from entering homelessness.
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION FOR INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS.
(a) In General.--Title II of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance
Act (42 U.S.C. 11311 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 204(a) (42 U.S.C. 11314(a))--
(A) by striking ``The Council'' and inserting the
following:
``(1) In general.--The Council''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) Testimony.--The Executive Director of the Council
shall annually testify before the Committee on Banking,
Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on
Financial Services of the House of Representatives on the
coordinated response to homelessness by the Federal
Government.'';
(2) in section 208 (42 U.S.C. 11318), by striking ``to
carry out this title $3,000,000 for fiscal year 2010 and such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2011'' and inserting
``such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title until
the date that is 7 years after the date of enactment of the
Reducing Homelessness Through Program Reform Act'';
(3) by striking section 209 (42 U.S.C. 11319); and
(4) by redesignating section 210 (42 U.S.C. 11320) as
section 209.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendment.--The table of contents in
section 101(b) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C.
11301 note) is amended by striking the items relating to sections 209
and 210 and inserting the following:
``Sec. 209. Encouragement of State involvement.''.
SEC. 13. EVALUATION.
Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall conduct an evaluation and submit to the appropriate
congressional committees, and make publicly available, a report on
grant allocation amounts, matching requirements, and funding under the
Emergency Solutions Grants program and the Continuum of Care program
under subtitles B and C, respectively, of title IV of the McKinney-
Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq., 11381 et seq.),
which shall include surveys of the field, unmet need (on a relative and
absolute basis), and local program availability compared to community
needs in small States, small communities, and Tribal and rural
communities, as it relates to program funding levels.
SEC. 14. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act or the amendments made by this Act shall be
construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to provide
flexibility under housing laws in effect as of the date of enactment of
this Act. The flexibilities and waivers authorized under this Act and
the amendments made by this Act shall not replace or result in the
termination of other flexibilities and waivers that the Secretary is
authorized to exercise.
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