Congressman Davis’ HEARTH Legislation to Fight Homelessness is Reintroduced in Congress
Washington,
Apr 7 -
Congressman Geoff Davis is pleased to announce that the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act (H.R. 1877), a bill to reauthorize the McKinney-Vento homeless assistance grants, was reintroduced in the House of Representatives by Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL), Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN), Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA), Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congressman Davis.
This legislation was introduced on April 2, 2009, and is a compromise version of two bills from the 110th Congress – Congressman Geoff Davis’ original HEARTH Act of 2007 (H.R. 840) and S. 1518, the Community Partnership to End Homelessness Act of 2007. Last October, a similar compromise bill passed in the House (H.R. 7221 – 110th Congress), but was not considered in the Senate before the final adjournment of the 110th Congress.
H.R. 1877 amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of “chronic homelessness” to include many of the families with children who are defined as homeless by other federal definitions (such as the definition used in Department of Education homeless youth programs), but currently do not fall under HUD’s definition. The definition also includes stronger language to help individuals who are victims of domestic violence or living in other dangerous or life-threatening conditions.
The bill also identifies and allows for assistance to individuals and families who are “at risk of homelessness,” including those who have insufficient resources to obtain housing stability, live in an unstable or risky situation (including moving frequently, living in the housing of others, facing eviction, living a hotel or motel, among others).
Congressman Davis stated, “Expanding HUD’s definition of homelessness to include many of the situations most frequently encountered by homeless families, children and domestic violence victims has been one of my top priorities for years. Passage of H.R. 1877 would be a huge step towards helping the ‘invisible’ homeless get the assistance they need to get back on their feet. If we are truly serious about ending homelessness in the long-term, we have to ensure that homeless children are given the opportunity to grow and learn in a stable home environment.
“I am extremely pleased that the HEARTH Act has been reintroduced in the 111th Congress and I look forward to its consideration in the House and Senate. In addition to expanding the definition, the bill provides increased flexibility and tools for agencies and provider organizations to better meet the needs of the local homeless populations.
“A roof over one’s head goes a long way, but it is the supportive services, combined with housing, that have the biggest impact on changing a person’s path in life. The homeless assistance grant programs lend a helping hand to people who want to build a future and pursue a dream. This type of federal assistance has a lasting positive impact not only on the recipient, but on our communities as a whole.”
Congressman Geoff Davis introduced the original bipartisan HEARTH Act (H.R. 840) in 2007 with the late Congresswoman Julia Carson (D-IN).
H.R. 1877 also:
Consolidates HUD’s competitive homeless assistance grant programs into a single Continuum of Care program, streamlining the way communities apply for funding, reducing administrative burden, and increasing local flexibility and decision-making;
Establishes a goal of ensuring that families who become homeless return to permanent housing within 30 days;
Allows providers to use up to 20% of funds under the Emergency Solutions Grants for homeless prevention (current law only allows 3%);
Creates the Rural Housing Stability Grant Program, giving rural areas increased flexibility to serve homeless populations that are without the resources and housing availability of large metropolitan areas; and
Provides incentives for rapid rehousing programs for homeless families that have been successfully used in a number of communities to significantly reduce family homelessness by ensuring a quicker return to stability and self-sufficiency.
