CS/CS/HB 979 — Homelessness
by Appropriations Committee; Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee; and Rep. Peters and others (CS/SB 1090 by Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee; and Senators Latvala, Sobel, and Garcia)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee (CF)
The bill adds homeless persons to the list of persons needing standard, affordable housing. It designates lead agencies of homeless assistance continuums of care as entities that may receive training and technical assistance. The training and technical assistance must be provided by a nonprofit entity that meets the requirements pursuant to s. 420.531, F.S.
The Council on Homelessness is authorized to accept and administer moneys appropriated to it to provide annual “Challenge Grants” to lead agencies for homeless assistance. The grants may be used to fund any of the housing, program, or service needs included in the local homeless assistance continuum of care plan.
The Department of Economic Opportunity is required to secure the necessary expertise to provide training and technical assistance to local government and state agency staffs, community-based organizations, and to persons forming community-based organizations for the purpose of developing new housing or rehabilitating existing housing for the homeless, very-low-income, low-income, and moderate-income persons.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2014.
Vote: Senate 34-0; House 116-0