§11386b Allocation of Amounts and Incentives for Specific Eligible Activities

Summary

At least 30 percent of the money for this program each year must go to permanent housing for homeless people with disabilities and for homeless families that include such a person or a minor head of household. When figuring that 30 percent, the Secretary must not count money used only to renew existing project contracts. The 30 percent can be reduced in some areas based on need under section 11386a(b)(2) when subsection (e) applies to subsection (d)(2)(A). The 30 percent rule is paused for any year if, after setting that money aside, there would not be enough left to renew all existing grants for one year. The rule ends once the Secretary finds that 150,000 new units of permanent housing were funded under this part since the start of 2001. Also, at least 10 percent of the funds each year must be used for permanent housing for homeless families with children. Applicants may request any amount needed for buying, building, or fixing housing for permanent or transitional housing. The Secretary must offer bonuses or other incentives to areas that use funds on strategies shown to work at reducing homelessness or helping people live independently. Examples include long-term supported housing for chronically homeless people and quick rehousing plus short-term rent help and family support services that link with programs like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and Child Welfare. The Secretary can add other proven activities after research and public comment. Bonuses should be balanced across individuals, families, and other groups, and must not discourage teams from serving families with children or youth. If an area shows it has fully put these proven activities in place for the people targeted, it earns the bonus but may spend that bonus on any eligible homeless program under section 11383 or certain activities under section 11374(a).