ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Fifty-seventh Legislature

First Regular Session

House: APPROP DP 11-7-0-0

HCM2011: homelessness; urging congress; HUD

Sponsor: Representative Livingston, LD 28

House Engrossed

Overview

Urges Congress, the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Interagency Council on Homelessness of the United States of America to eliminate restrictions in federal housing programs.

History

42 U.S.C. § 3531 established the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as an executive department to provide federal housing assistance, urban and suburban community development and coordination among executive agencies and programs related to housing. HUD is responsible for the administration of federal affordable housing programs including but not limited to public housing, Section 8 Housing Vouchers and House Choice Vouchers.

The Interagency Council on Homelessness (Council) promotes, coordinates and evaluates the federal response to homelessness and the national partnerships that work to reduce homelessness. The Council is an independent establishment of the Executive Branch and is designated legal authority in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (Act).

The Continuum of Care Program (CoC) was designed to provide funding for efforts by nonprofits, states, Indian Tribes and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals (HUD). The CoC Interim Rule focuses on the regulatory implementation of the CoC Program, including the CoC planning process.

The Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) administers federal affordable housing programs, including the federal low-income tax credits, the Housing Trust Fund and a portion of Arizona's federal Section 8 Housing Voucher program. ADOH received $205,215,900 in federal funds in FY 2024 (JLBC Baseline Book FY 2026).

Provisions

1. Urges HUD and the Council to:

a) repeal the Continuum of Care Interim Rule to provide more flexibility for state and local governments to design housing solutions that are responsive to local conditions;

b) amend the HMIS Rule to streamline reporting requirements, reduce administrative burdens and allow providers to direct more resources toward client services;

c) eliminate HUD's performance standards and measures to allow local governments the freedom to set performance indicators that more accurately reflect community needs and goals;

d) rescind housing-first policy mandates to permit flexibility for communities to offer a variety of housing options that meet the diverse needs and preferences of individuals and families experiencing homelessness; and

e) reduce federal standards in the Emergency Solutions Grants Program to better align with local priorities, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to maximize community impact.

2. Requests that Congress:

a) repeal the McKinney-Vento Act Amendments of 2009 to decrease restrictive federal mandates and increase state autonomy in addressing homelessness;

b) reduce HUD's role in Permanent Supportive Housing to allow local agencies more freedom in implementing supportive housing options tailored to their specific populations; and

c) shift HUD funding to block grants rather than direct assistance to enable states to have greater flexibility in allocating monies to the areas of greatest need, which allows for a more effective response to homelessness.

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g) HCM 2011

h) Initials JB/GG Page 0 House Engrossed

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