42 USC CHAPTER 119, SUBCHAPTER IV, Part B: Emergency Shelter Grants Program

From Title 42—THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARECHAPTER 119—HOMELESS ASSISTANCESUBCHAPTER IV—HOUSING ASSISTANCE

Part B—Emergency Shelter Grants Program

§11371. Definitions

For purposes of this part:

(1) The term "local government" means a unit of general purpose local government.

(2) The term "locality" means the geographical area within the jurisdiction of a local government.

(3) The term "metropolitan city" has the meaning given such term in section 5302 of this title.

(4) The term "operating costs" means expenses incurred by a recipient operating a facility assisted under this part with respect to—

(A) the administration, maintenance, repair, and security of such housing; and

(B) utilities, fuels, furnishings, and equipment for such housing.

(5) The term "private nonprofit organization" means a secular or religious organization described in section 501(c) of title 26 that is exempt from taxation under subtitle A of title 26, has an accounting system and a voluntary board, and practices nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance.

(6) The term "recipient" means any governmental or private nonprofit entity that is approved by the Secretary as to financial responsibility.

(7) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

(8) The term "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

(9) The term "urban county" has the meaning given such term in section 5302 of this title.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §411, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 495; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(f)(1), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4361; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(1), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

Amendments

1996—Par. (10). Pub. L. 104–330 struck out par. (10) which read as follows: "The term 'Indian tribe' has the meaning given such term in section 5302(a)(17) of this title."

1990—Par. (10). Pub. L. 101–625 added par. (10).

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–330 effective Oct. 1, 1997, except as otherwise expressly provided, see section 107 of Pub. L. 104–330, set out as an Effective Date note under section 4101 of Title 25, Indians.

Section 506(c) of Pub. L. 104–330 provided that: "The amendments under subsections (a) [amending this section and sections 11372 to 11376, 11382, 11401, 11403g, and 11408 of this title] and (b) [amending provisions formerly set out as a note under section 11301 of this title] shall apply with respect to amounts made available for assistance under title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act [42 U.S.C. 11361 et seq.] and section 2 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 [Pub. L. 103–120, former 42 U.S.C. 11301 note], respectively, for fiscal year 1998 and fiscal years thereafter."

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§11372. Grant assistance

The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall, to the extent of amounts approved in appropriation Acts under section 11377 of this title, make grants to States and local governments (and to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals, in the case of grants made with reallocated amounts) in order to carry out activities described in section 11374 of this title.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §412, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 496; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(f)(2), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4361; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(2), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–330 struck out ", and for Indian tribes," after "local governments".

1990—Pub. L. 101–625 substituted "States and local governments, and for Indian tribes," for "States and local governments".

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 104–330 applicable with respect to amounts made available for assistance under this subchapter for fiscal year 1998 and fiscal years thereafter, see section 506(c) of Pub. L. 104–330, set out as a note under section 11371 of this title.

§11373. Allocation and distribution of assistance

(a) In general

The Secretary shall allocate assistance under this part to metropolitan cities, urban counties, and States (for distribution to local governments and private nonprofit organizations in the States) in a manner that ensures that the percentage of the total amount available under this part for any fiscal year that is allocated to any State, metropolitan city, or urban county is equal to the percentage of the total amount available for section 5306 of this title for such prior fiscal year that is allocated to such State, metropolitan city, or urban county.

(b) Minimum allocation requirement

If, under the allocation provisions applicable under this part, any metropolitan city or urban county would receive a grant of less than 0.05 percent of the amounts appropriated to carry out this part for any fiscal year, such amount shall instead be reallocated to the State, except that any city that is located in a State that does not have counties as local governments, that has a population greater than 40,000 but less than 50,000 as used in determining the fiscal year 1987 community development block grant program allocation, and that was allocated in excess of $1,000,000 in community development block grant funds in fiscal year 1987, shall receive directly the amount allocated to such city under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Distributions to nonprofit organizations

Any local government receiving assistance under this part may distribute all or a portion of such assistance to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals. Any State receiving assistance under this part may distribute all or a portion of such assistance to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals, if the local government for the locality in which the project is located certifies that it approves of the project.

(d) Reallocation of funds

(1) The Secretary shall, not less than twice during each fiscal year, reallocate any assistance provided under this part that is unused or returned or that becomes available under subsection (b) of this section.

(2) If a city or county eligible for a grant under subsection (a) of this section fails to obtain approval of its comprehensive plan during the 90-day period following the date funds authorized by this part first become available for allocation during any fiscal year, the amount that the city or county would have received shall be available to the State in which the city or county is located if the State has obtained approval of its comprehensive plan. Any amounts that cannot be allocated to a State under the preceding sentence shall be reallocated to other States, counties, and cities that demonstrate extraordinary need or large numbers of homeless individuals, as determined by the Secretary.

(3) If a State fails to obtain approval of its comprehensive plan during the 90-day period following the date funds authorized by this part first become available for allocation during any fiscal year, the amount that the State would have received shall be reallocated to other States and to cities and counties as applicable, that demonstrate extraordinary need or large numbers of homeless individuals, as determined by the Secretary.

(e) Allocations to territories

In addition to the other allocations required in this section, the Secretary shall (for amounts appropriated after July 22, 1987) allocate assistance under this part to the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States, in accordance with an allocation formula established by the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §413, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 496; Pub. L. 100–628, title IV, §421, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3231; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(f)(3)–(5), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4361; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(3), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 104–330, §506(a)(3)(A), struck out ", and to Indian tribes," after "in the States)" and ", or for Indian tribes" after "or urban county" in two places.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 104–330, §506(a)(3)(B), struck out "or Indian tribe" after "Any local government".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 104–330, §506(a)(3)(C)(ii), struck out ", or other Indian tribes," after "cities and counties".

Pub. L. 104–330, §506(a)(3)(C)(i), which directed amendment of par. (3) by striking ", or Indian tribe" each place it appeared, was executed by striking "or Indian tribe" after "State" in two places to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(f)(3), inserted ", and to Indian tribes," after "States)" and ", or for Indian tribes" after "urban county" in two places.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(f)(4), inserted "or Indian tribe" after "local government".

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(f)(5), inserted "or Indian tribe" after "State" in two places and ", or other Indian tribes, as applicable," after "counties".

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–628, §421(a), inserted "and private nonprofit organizations" after "local governments".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–628, §421(b), inserted at end "Any State receiving assistance under this part may distribute all or a portion of such assistance to private nonprofit organizations providing assistance to homeless individuals, if the local government for the locality in which the project is located certifies that it approves of the project."

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§11374. Eligible activities

(a) In general

Assistance provided under this part may be used for the following activities relating to emergency shelter for homeless individuals:

(1) The renovation, major rehabilitation, or conversion of buildings to be used as emergency shelters.

(2) The provision of essential services, including services concerned with employment, health, drug abuse, or education, if—

(A) such services have not been provided by the local government during any part of the immediately preceding 12-month period, or the use of assistance under this part would complement those services; and

(B) not more than 30 percent of the aggregate amount of all assistance to a State or local government under this part is used for activities under this paragraph.

(3) Maintenance, operation, insurance, utilities, and furnishings, except that not more than 10 percent of the amount of any grant received under this part may be used for costs of staff.

(4) Efforts to prevent homelessness such as financial assistance to families who have received eviction notices or notices of termination of utility services if—

(A) the inability of the family to make the required payments is due to a sudden reduction in income;

(B) the assistance is necessary to avoid the eviction or termination of services;

(C) there is a reasonable prospect that the family will be able to resume payments within a reasonable period of time; and

(D) the assistance will not supplant funding for preexisting homelessness prevention activities from other sources.

Not more than 30 percent of the aggregate amount of all assistance to a State or local government under this part may be used for activities under this paragraph.

(b) Waiver authority

The Secretary may waive the 20 percent limitation on the use of assistance for essential services contained in subsection (a)(2)(B) of this section, if the local government receiving the assistance demonstrates that the other eligible activities under the program are already being carried out in the locality with other resources.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §414, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 100–628, title IV, §§422, 423(a), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3231; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(c), (d), (f)(6), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4360, 4361; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, §1402(e), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4013; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(4), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104–330 struck out "or Indian tribe" after "local government" in subpar. (A) and substituted "or local government" for ", local government, or Indian tribe" in subpar. (B).

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104–330 substituted "or local government" for ", local government, or Indian tribe" in concluding provisions.

1992—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 102–550 struck out "(other than staff)" after "operation" and inserted before period at end ", except that not more than 10 percent of the amount of any grant received under this part may be used for costs of staff".

1990—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(f)(6)(A), inserted "or Indian tribe" after "local government".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(c), (f)(6)(B), substituted "30 percent" for "20 percent" and ", local government, or Indian tribe" for "or local government".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(d), substituted sentence at end for "Activities under this paragraph shall be treated as 'essential services' for the purpose of paragraph (2)(B)."

1988—Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 100–628, §422(b), inserted before semicolon ", or the use of assistance under this part would complement those services".

Subsec. (a)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–628, §422(a), substituted "20" for "15" and "the aggregate amount of all assistance to a State or" for "the amount of any assistance to a".

Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 100–628, §423(a), added par. (4).

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–628, §422(a)(1), substituted "20" for "15".

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Report by Comptroller General

Section 423(b) of Pub. L. 100–628 provided that: "The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study and report to the Congress not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 7, 1988] on various programs to prevent homelessness implemented by grantees, with particular focus on the different methods employed by grantees to determine eligibility for homelessness prevention assistance and restrictions or limitations, if any, imposed under such programs. Such report shall include—

"(1) an examination of other homelessness prevention programs, including other Federal programs and State and local programs; and

"(2) recommendations for such legislation as the Comptroller General determines appropriate, including recommendations on how to prevent homelessness as a result of mortgage foreclosures."

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in sections 11372, 11375 of this title.

§11375. Responsibilities of recipients

(a) Matching amounts

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), each recipient under this part shall be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part with an equal amount of funds from sources other than this part. Each recipient shall certify to the Secretary its compliance with this paragraph, and shall include with such certification a description of the sources and amounts of such supplemental funds.

(2) Each recipient under this part that is a State shall be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part with an amount of funds from sources other than this part equal to the difference between the amount received under this part and $100,000. If the amount received by the State is $100,000 or less, the State may not be required to supplement the assistance provided under this part.

(3) In calculating the amount of supplemental funds provided by a recipient under this part, a recipient may include the value of any donated material or building, the value of any lease on a building, any salary paid to staff to carry out the program of the recipient, and the value of the time and services contributed by volunteers to carry out the program of the recipient at a rate determined by the Secretary.

(b) Administration of assistance

Each recipient shall act as the fiscal agent of the Secretary with respect to assistance provided to such recipient.

(c) Certifications on use of assistance

Each recipient shall certify to the Secretary that—

(1) it will—

(A) in the case of assistance involving major rehabilitation or conversion, maintain any building for which assistance is used under this part as a shelter for homeless individuals and families for not less than a 10-year period;

(B) in the case of assistance involving rehabilitation (other than major rehabilitation or conversion), maintain any building for which assistance is used under this part as a shelter for homeless individuals and families for not less than a 3-year period; or

(C) in the case of assistance involving solely activities described in paragraphs (2) and (3) of section 11374(a) of this title, provide services or shelter to homeless individuals and families for the period during which such assistance is provided, without regard to a particular site or structure as long as the same general population is served;

(2) any renovation carried out with assistance under this part shall be sufficient to ensure that the building involved is safe and sanitary;

(3) it will assist homeless individuals in obtaining—

(A) appropriate supportive services, including permanent housing, medical and mental health treatment, counseling, supervision, and other services essential for achieving independent living; and

(B) other Federal, State, local, and private assistance available for such individuals;

(4) in the case of a recipient that is a State, it will obtain any matching amounts required under subsection (a) of this section in a manner so that local governments, agencies, and local nonprofit organizations receiving assistance from the grant that are least capable of providing the recipient State with such matching amounts receive the benefit of the $100,000 subtrahend under subsection (a)(2) of this section;

(5) it will develop and implement procedures to ensure the confidentiality of records pertaining to any individual provided family violence prevention or treatment services under any project assisted under this part and that the address or location of any family violence shelter project assisted under this part will, except with written authorization of the person or persons responsible for the operation of such shelter, not be made public;

(6) activities undertaken by the recipient with assistance under this part are consistent with any housing strategy submitted by the grantee in accordance with section 12705 of this title; and

(7) to the maximum extent practicable, it will involve, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, homeless individuals and families in constructing, renovating, maintaining, and operating facilities assisted under this part, in providing services assisted under this part, and in providing services for occupants of facilities assisted under this part.

(d) Participation of homeless individuals

The Secretary shall, by regulation, require each recipient that is not a State to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policymaking entity of such recipient, to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any facility, services, or other assistance of the recipient assisted under this part. The Secretary may grant waivers to recipients unable to meet the requirement under the preceding sentence if the recipient agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.

(e) Termination of assistance

If an individual or family who receives assistance under this part from a recipient violates program requirements, the recipient may terminate assistance in accordance with a formal process established by the recipient that recognizes the rights of individuals affected, which may include a hearing.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §415, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 497; Pub. L. 100–628, title IV, §424, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3232; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(e)(1), (2), (h), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4360, 4362; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, §1402(b)–(d), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4012, 4013; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(5), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 104–330 struck out "Indian tribes," after "local governments,".

1992—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 102–550, §1402(b), in par. (1), substituted a semicolon for period at end, in par. (3), struck out "and" at end, in par. (4), inserted "it will" after "State," and struck out "and" at end, in par. (5), inserted "it will" before "develop" and substituted a semicolon for period at end, redesignated par. (4), relating to consistency of activities undertaken with assistance under this part, as (6) and substituted "; and" for period at end, and added par. (7).

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 102–550, §1402(c), added subsec. (d).

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 102–550, §1402(d), added subsec. (e).

1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(e)(1)(A), substituted "Except as provided in paragraph (2), each" for "Each".

Subsec. (a)(2), (3). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(e)(1)(B), (C), added par. (2) and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).

Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(e)(2)(A), (B), (h)(1), (2), amended subsec. (c) identically, striking "and" at end of par. (2) and substituting "; and" for period at end of par. (3).

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(h)(3), added (after par. (5)) par. (4) relating to consistency of activities undertaken with assistance under this part.

Pub. L. 101–625, §832(e)(2)(C), added par. (4) relating to matching funds obtained by State recipients of assistance under this part.

Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(e)(2)(C), added par. (5).

1988—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100–628 amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as follows: "it will maintain any building for which assistance is used under this part as a shelter for homeless individuals for not less than a 3-year period or for not less than a 10-year period if such assistance is used for the major rehabilitation or conversion of such building;".

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

§11376. Administrative provisions

(a) Regulations

Not later than 60 days after July 22, 1987, the Secretary shall by notice establish such requirements as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this part. Such requirements shall be subject to section 553 of title 5. The Secretary shall issue requirements based on the initial notice before the expiration of the 12-month period following July 22, 1987. Prior to the issuance of such requirements in final form, the requirements established by the Secretary implementing the provisions of the emergency shelter grants program under the provisions made effective by section 101(g) of Public Law 99–500 or Public Law 99–591 shall govern the emergency shelter grants program under this part.

(b) Initial allocation of assistance

Not later than the expiration of the 60-day period following the date of enactment of a law providing appropriations to carry out this part, the Secretary shall notify each State, metropolitan city, and urban county that is to receive a direct grant of its allocation of assistance under this part. Such assistance shall be allocated and may be used notwithstanding any failure of the Secretary to issue requirements under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Minimum standards of habitability

The Secretary shall prescribe such minimum standards of habitability as the Secretary determines to be appropriate to ensure that emergency shelters assisted under this section are environments that provide appropriate privacy, safety, and sanitary and other health-related conditions for homeless persons and families. Grantees are authorized to establish standards of habitability in addition to those prescribed by the Secretary.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §416, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(f)(7), (g), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4361; Pub. L. 104–330, title V, §506(a)(6), Oct. 26, 1996, 110 Stat. 4044.)

References in Text

The emergency shelter grants program under the provisions made effective by section 101(g) of Public Law 99–500 or Public Law 99–591, referred to in subsec. (a), means the emergency shelter grants program authorized by title V of H.R. 5313 [Department of Housing and Urban Development—Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1987], as incorporated by reference by section 101(g) of Pub. L. 99–500 and 99–591, and enacted into law by section 106 of Pub. L. 100–202, which is set out as a note under section 11361 of this title.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–330 struck out "Indian tribe," after "State,".

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(f)(7), inserted "Indian tribe," after "State,".

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–625, §832(g), added subsec. (c).

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

§11377. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $138,000,000 for fiscal year 1993 and $143,796,000 for fiscal year 1994.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §417, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 498; Pub. L. 100–628, title IV, §425, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3232; Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4359; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, §1402(a), Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4012.)

Amendments

1992—Pub. L. 102–550 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $125,000,000 for fiscal year 1991 and $138,000,000 for fiscal year 1992."

1990—Pub. L. 101–625, which directed the general amendment of the "first sentence" of this section, was executed by making the substitution for the only sentence of this section which read: "There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1989 and $125,000,000 for fiscal year 1990."

1988—Pub. L. 100–628 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows: "In addition to other amounts authorized by law, there are authorized to be appropriated for the emergency shelter grants program $100,000,000 for fiscal year 1987 and $120,000,000 for fiscal year 1988."

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 11372 of this title.

§11378. Administrative costs

A recipient may use up to 5 percent of any annual grant received under this part for administrative purposes. A recipient State shall share the amount available for administrative purposes pursuant to the preceding sentence with local governments funded by the State.

(Pub. L. 100–77, title IV, §418, as added Pub. L. 101–625, title VIII, §832(b)(1), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4359.)