H.R.1978: Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act

The Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act (H.R. 1978) would create a federal grant program to provide “comprehensive services and intensive case management” for homeless individuals and families. The program will be developed, and grants awarded, by the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration in consultation with an interagency working group. The working group will include representatives from the Interagency Council on Homelessness, Department of Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and eight other agencies.

“Implementation grants” will be awarded for a five-year timeline and up to $25,000,000 could be awarded to a grantee, but each grantee must contribute its own funds in the amount equal to 25 percent of the total grant.

“Planning grants” will be awarded for one year and up to $100,000 for a single grantee. No matching would be required for planning grants. (See Sec. 725 of the McKinley-Vento Homeless Assistance Act)

Grantees much be a governmental entity (at the county, city, regional, or locality level), Indian tribe, or tribal organization and “demonstrate a capacity” to address a wide range of human services and provide stable housing and intensive case management, among others.

The bill would appropriate $750,000,000 for each fiscal year 2020 through 2015.

S. 923 is the Senate companion bill introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein.