Policy State

State Homeless Policy Agenda

Interagency Council on Preventing and Reducing Homelessness:   Work with state interagency council to develop comprehensive system to prevent and end homelessness.

State Legislative Issues

County Homeless Trust Fund:  (A3101 Watson Coleman, Cruz-Perez/ S2354 Redd, Stack) This bill creates enabling legislation to permit counties to generate revenue to establish a homeless trust fund to support programs outlined in their  approved Homeless Plan (see other side of this page).  The bill permits the county to impose a surcharge of $3 on each document recorded with a county, for deposit into a county homeless trust. There are 76 county homeless trust funds in 10 states. This bill passed the full Assembly.  The bill was approved on June 25, 2009. The Governor is expected the bill in September. On September 15, 2009, a Trust Fund Forum Implementation will be held at the Statehouse. To register click here.

Accessory Apartments: (A827 Chivukula, Karrow/ S2337 Smith) The Second Unit Housing Authorization Act will use the existing housing stock more effectively to address housing needs by allowing the creation of accessory apartments under appropriate standards in appropriate locations.  This bill passed the Assembly Housing and Local Government Committee and now goes to the full Assembly for a vote. 

Relocation Assistance: (A994 Cruz-Perez, Green/ S1842 Cunningham): This critical bill increases state relocation assistance payment levels from 1972 levels to current dollars, based on increases in the CPI since 1972. The bill would raise the payment levels over two years, with annual adjustments indexed to CPI going forward.  By adequately addressing the rising cost of relocation, the bill will help prevent homelessness.

Maintain the gains of A500:  This comprehensive housing law which was signed by the Governor in July, 2008 banned Regional Contribution Agreements, established a 2.5% non residential development fee for affordable housing and had many other provisions to promote affordable housing.  This law is now being threatened.  S2292 / A3441  would undo most of the provisions of this new law.  S2485 would make some revisions.

Non-legislative issues:

State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP): In FY09, SRAP received a historic $52.5 million in funding.  Anticipated shortfalls for the state budget will necessitate both an offensive campaign to improve the efficiency of the program and a defensive effort to maintain funding levels.