IN WASHINGTON D.C.                      

The Coalition advocates for policies and funding at the national level that will create lasting solutions to homelessness.  Visit this page for the latest news and policy being considered in Washington D.C. For more information related to all federal legislative activity please visit: Thomas.gov

Current Federal Legislation and Issues

 
1.   President Obama's Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Proposal

2.   Super Committee

3.   National Housing Trust Fund  

4.   Federal Definition of Homelessness

On Monday, February 13, President Obama released his Fiscal Year (FY) 2013 Budget Proposal. The FY2013 Proposal includes $4.7 billion for targeted homeless assistance funding, a 17 percent increase over the FY2012 Budget. Included in the 17 percent increase is:

• $330 million increase for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Homeless Assistance Grants, including $286 million for the second year of the new Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG).
• An additional 10,000 HUD-VASH vouchers combined with health care and supportive services to help end homelessness among veterans.
• A $200 million expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs Supportive Services for Veteran Families program.
• A 5 percent increase in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) targeted homeless assistance programs.
• $5 million for the new competitive Rural Housing Stability Assistance Program, which will help combat homelessness in rural communities.
• Almost $3 billion for Community Health Center programs, including $1.5 billion in scheduled new funding from the Affordable Care Act of 2010. As a result, Health Care for the Homeless program funding would rise from $232 million in 2012 to $258 million in FY2013.

The 17 percent increase reflects the priority that the Obama administration has placed on the Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness. However, the President’s proposal is meant to be a guide for Congress as they make decisions about the federal budget and appropriations for FY2013, which begins October 1, 2012. Congress is currently working on the budget in committees.

4.  Federal Definition of Homelessness 

On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Homeless Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. The HEARTH Act amends and reauthorizes the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with substantial changes, including a change in the definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness.   The new definition includes four broader categories of homelessness:

• People who are living in a place meant for human habitation, in emergency shelter, in transitional housing, or are exiting an institution where they temporarily resided. The only significant change from existing practice is that people will be considered homeless if they are exiting an institution where they resided for up to 90 days (it was previously 30 days), and were homeless immediately prior to entering that institution;
• People who must leave their housing, which may include a motel or hotel or doubled up situation, within 14 days and have no other resources or support networks to obtain housing are considered homeless (the previous standard was 7 days);
• Unaccompanied youth and families with children are considered homeless if they experience persistent instability (have not had a lease and have moved at least 3 times in 90 days) and are likely to continue in that status because of disability, multiple barriers to employment, or other factors;
• People who are fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, have no other residence, and lack the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing

For more information please contact Meg Snead at 303-285-5220 or mcostello@coloradocoalition.org.