[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 20, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20541-20546]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8835]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
24 CFR Part 577
[Docket No. FR-5333-P-01]
RIN 2506-AC26
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing:
Defining ``Homeless''
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development.
ACTION: Proposed rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This rule commences HUD's regulatory implementation of the
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of
2009 (HEARTH Act), enacted into law on May 20, 2009. The HEARTH Act
consolidates three of the separate homeless assistance programs
administered by HUD under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
into a single grant program and creates the Emergency Solutions Grant
Program and the Rural Housing Stability Program. The HEARTH Act also
codifies in statutory law the Continuum of Care planning process, long
a part of HUD's application process to assist homeless persons by
providing greater coordination in responding to their needs. The HEARTH
Act defines the terms ``homeless,'' ``homeless individual,'' ``homeless
person,'' and ``homeless individual with a disability,'' but these
definitions contain terms that require further elaboration. Since the
scope of these terms is essential to the development of an appropriate
regulatory structure for the homeless assistance programs as
consolidated and amended by the HEARTH Act, HUD is initiating the
rulemaking process with this proposed rule, which solely addresses the
definition of these terms.
DATES: Comment Due Date. June 21, 2010
ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding
this rule to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, 451
7th Street, SW., Room 10276, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, Washington, DC 20410-0500. Communications must refer to
the above docket number and title. There are two methods for submitting
public comments. All submissions must refer to the above docket number
and title.
1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Comments may be submitted by
mail to the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department
of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 10276,
Washington, DC 20410-0500.
2. Electronic Submission of Comments. Interested persons may submit
comments electronically through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. HUD strongly encourages commenters to submit
comments electronically. Electronic submission of comments allows the
commenter maximum time to prepare and submit a comment, ensures timely
receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to make them immediately available to
the
[[Page 20542]]
public. Comments submitted electronically through the http://www.regulations.gov Web site can be viewed by other commenters and
interested members of the public. Commenters should follow the
instructions provided on that site to submit comments electronically.
Note: To receive consideration as public comments, comments
must be submitted through one of the two methods specified above.
Again, all submissions must refer to the docket number and title of
the rule.
No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile (FAX) comments are not acceptable.
Public Inspection of Public Comments. All properly submitted
comments and communications submitted to HUD will be available for
public inspection and copying between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays at the
above address. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters
building, an advance appointment to review the public comments must be
scheduled by calling the Regulations Division at 202-708-3055 (this is
not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments
may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Information
Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Copies of all comments submitted are
available for inspection and downloading at http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Marie Oliva, Director, Office of
Special Needs Assistance Programs, Office of Community Planning and
Development, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-7000; telephone number 202-708-4300
(this is not a toll-free number). Hearing- and speech-impaired persons
may access this number through TTY by calling the Federal Information
Relay Service at 800-877-8339 (this is a toll-free number).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background--HEARTH Act
The Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009 was signed into
law on May 20, 2009 (Pub. L. 111-22). This new law implements a variety
of measures directed toward keeping individuals and families from
losing their homes. Division B of this new law is the Homeless
Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of 2009
(HEARTH Act). The HEARTH Act consolidates and amends three separate
homeless assistance programs carried out under title IV of the
McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11371 et seq.)
(McKinney-Vento Act) into a single grant program that is designed to
improve administrative efficiency and enhance response coordination and
effectiveness in addressing the needs of homeless persons. The single
Continuum of Care program established by the HEARTH Act consolidates
the following programs: the Supportive Housing program, the Shelter
Plus Care program, and the Moderate Rehabilitation/Single Room
Occupancy program. The former Emergency Shelter Grant program is
renamed the Emergency Solutions Grant program and revised to broaden
existing emergency shelter and homelessness prevention activities and
to add rapid re-housing activities. The new Rural Housing Stability
program replaces the Rural Homelessness Grant program. The HEARTH Act
also codifies in law and enhances the Continuum of Care planning
process, the coordinated response to addressing the needs of
homelessness established administratively by HUD in 1995. In addition,
this proposed rule may affect the Base Realignment and Closure and
Title V property disposition programs. These changes will be considered
through separate rulemaking in conjunction with the other Federal
agencies that administer these programs--the Department of Health and
Human Services and the General Services Administration.
II. This Proposed Rule
As amended by the HEARTH Act, section 103 of the McKinney-Vento Act
defines ``homeless,'' ``homeless individual,'' ``homeless person,'' and
``homeless individual with a disability,'' but these definitions
contain terms that require explanation or elaboration. With this
proposed rule, HUD seeks to provide the necessary clarification and
elaboration of these terms in order to satisfy section 1003(b) of the
HEARTH Act, which requires HUD to ``provide sufficient guidance to
recipients of funds under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act to allow uniform and consistent implementation of the
requirements of section 103 of such Act.'' HUD will be publishing
proposed rules for the new Emergency Solutions Grant program, the
Continuum of Care program, and the Rural Housing Stability program.
Each of these programs will include the definition(s) from this
proposed rule. This proposed rule, however, sets out regulatory text
only for the Emergency Solutions Grants program codified at 24 CFR part
577. HUD is considering repeating this regulatory text in the
regulations for the Continuum of Care and Rural Housing Stability
programs at the final rule stage, rather than simply cross-referencing
to the regulatory text in part 577. HUD believes a complete set of
regulations for each program may be more user-friendly. HUD
specifically welcomes public comment on this issue.
This proposed rule clarifies key terms in the definitions of
``homeless,'' ``homeless individual,'' ``homeless person,'' and
``homeless individual with a disability.'' First, this proposed rule
clarifies that individuals and families may qualify as homeless under
four possible categories, corresponding to the broad categories
established by the statutory language of the definition in section 103
of the McKinney-Vento Act as amended by the HEARTH Act. The first
category (Sec. 577.2(1)), consisting of an individual or family who
lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, is taken from
section 103(a)(1) of the statute, but also incorporates the language
from sections 103(a)(2), (a)(3), and (a)(4). HUD has concluded that
paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of section 103 define this first
category of homeless (section 103(a)(1)) by providing three subsets of
that category. That is, paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(4) of section 103
are not separate statutory categories of eligibility, but rather
specifically define the first category. Second, under a subset of the
first category (Sec. 577.2(1)(iii)), an individual who resided in a
shelter or place not meant for human habitation, and who is exiting an
institution where he or she temporarily resided, is eligible for
homeless assistance. This proposed rule clarifies that the individual
must have been homeless immediately before entering the institution,
and in order to be consistent with other parts of the regulation, HUD
defines ``temporarily resided'' as a period of 90 days or less. In the
past, HUD has used a 30-day standard, but has found that a period of
more than 30 days is more realistic for individuals to keep their
housing and homeless status. Additionally, in the statute, the
definition of ``chronically homeless'' in section 401(2)(B) uses
``fewer than 90 days'' as the measure for determining temporarily
resided in an institutional care facility or similar facility.
The second category under which an individual or family may qualify
as homeless (Sec. 577.2(2)(i)) is individuals or families who will
imminently lose their primary nighttime residence. The statute provides
three cases in which the imminent loss of a primary nighttime residence
may be evidenced in order to qualify as homeless: the individual or
family: (1) Is subject to a court order to vacate, (2) lacks the
resources to continue staying in a hotel
[[Page 20543]]
or a motel, or (3) is no longer being allowed to stay by the owner or
renter of housing with whom the individual or family is staying. In
each of these cases, the individual or family may be considered
homeless up to 14 days before they are to be displaced from their
current housing.
The proposed rule provides, in (Sec. 577.3(b)(3)(i)), that the
service provider must retain whatever evidence is relied upon in
determining that an individual or family will imminently lose their
housing. For example, the service provider may obtain a copy of the
eviction order, or may interview the applicant to document the
applicant's resources. Where the owner or renter of the housing will
not allow the individual or family to stay for more than 14 days, and
where an eviction notice or similar documentation evidencing loss of
housing is not available, the statute permits, as evidence of this
status, any oral statement from an individual or family that is found
to be credible to prove that the condition is present. While the
statute provides that an oral statement from an individual or family
member may establish eligibility as homeless, the statute requires the
oral statement to be found credible to be considered credible evidence.
Given the statutory language that the oral statement must be found
credible to be considered credible evidence, the proposed rule provides
that to be found as credible evidence, any oral statement from an
individual or family seeking homeless assistance must be documented and
verified. However, the proposed rule provides for the most minimal
documentation in order to not conflict with the statutory
permissibility of making an oral statement and to meet the
corresponding statutory requirement that the statement be credible
evidence. The proposed rule provides that the oral statement must be
documented by a self-certification; that is, the individual or head of
household certifies in writing to the veracity of the oral statement
made. After the oral statement is documented, it must be verified by:
(a) a statement of the owner or renter of the housing in which the
individual or family is currently residing, as recorded by the intake
worker, or (b) due diligence undertaken by the intake worker in
attempting to obtain a statement from the owner or renter that is
documented in writing by the intake worker. (See in (Sec.
577.3(b)(3)(i)(C).) An example of where the second option may be used
is where the intake worker tries to call the owner of the housing and
the owner is uncooperative and does not return multiple phone calls.
The intake worker can document such unanswered calls as evidence of due
diligence to verify the oral statement. As discussed later in this
preamble, verification of self-certified statements is not required in
cases involving victims of domestic violence.
The proposed rule provides for written documentation of the oral
statement by the individual or head of household to address the
statutory requirement that the statement be found to be credible.
Documentation of the statement is not only important for the issue of
credible evidence, as discussed above, but ensures that the individual
has had the opportunity to review the oral statement as set forth in
writing, to confirm that the written statement accurately reflects the
oral statement. The self-certification therefore serves two purposes;
it: (1) Meets the statutory requirement for credible evidence; and (2)
protects the individual from any failures, not attributable to the
individual, with respect to any possible inaccuracies in the written
statement that could result in delay in verification of the
individual's statement or result in delay or denial of services.
The third category under which an individual or family may qualify
as homeless (Sec. 577.2(3)) consists of unaccompanied youth and
homeless families with children and youth who are defined as homeless
under other Federal statutes who do not otherwise qualify as homeless
under the definition, provided that they meet the following three
conditions. The criteria for this category under section 103(a)(6) of
the statute are: having experienced a long term period without living
independently in permanent housing, having experienced persistent
instability as measured by frequent moves over such period, and being
expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time.
This rule clarifies that a ``long term period without living
independently in permanent housing'' means living for the 91 or more
days immediately prior to applying for homeless assistance without a
lease or ownership interest in the occupied property in the youth's or
head of household's name. In addition, ``persistent instability'' means
three or more moves over the 90-day period immediately prior to
applying for homeless assistance. HUD specifically solicits comments on
HUD's proposal for determining persistent instability.
In order to prove the condition of a long-term period without
living independently in permanent housing and of persistent
instability, an oral or written statement by the youth or head of
household is accepted as credible evidence when verified by the owners
or renters of the previous housing from which the applicant has moved.
The evidentiary requirements for this category, like those for imminent
loss of housing, include written records of the statements by each of
the owners or renters where the individual or family resided or, in
cases where these statements are unobtainable, a written record of the
due diligence exercised by the intake worker to obtain these
statements. A separate Sec. 577.3 describes the documentation
requirements to determine whether an individual or family is homeless.
Within the third category is the condition that the unaccompanied
youth's or family's persistent instability and inability to live
independently in permanent housing are expected to continue due to a
variety of factors, including multiple barriers to employment.
``Multiple barriers to employment'' is proposed to mean two or more of
the following barriers: lack of a high school degree or General
Education Development (GED), illiteracy, low English proficiency, a
history of incarceration, and a history of unstable employment.
The fourth category under which an individual or family may qualify
as homeless is provided under Sec. 577.2(4), which reflects section
103(b) of the statute. HUD will consider as homeless any individual or
family who is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence,
dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life
threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual
or a family member that has either taken place within the individual's
or family's primary nighttime residence or has made the individual or
family afraid to return to their primary nighttime residence, and who
has no other residence and lacks the resources or support networks to
obtain other permanent housing. The victimized member of the household
is not required to be the owner or renter of the unit.
In light of the particular safety concerns surrounding victims of
domestic violence, the proposed rule provides that acceptable evidence
that an individual or family qualifies under this category of the
homeless definition may include an oral statement from the individual
or family. This oral statement does not need to be verified, but it
must be documented by either self-certification (signed statement by
the victim certifying an oral statement's veracity) or a certification
by the intake worker (signed statement by the intake
[[Page 20544]]
worker certifying the victim's oral statement).
HUD solicits comments on whether the certifications that the
proposed rule provides as acceptable evidence would be less of a burden
if the statement and certification are made on a HUD-approved form.
The upcoming proposed rule addressing program requirements will
include special confidentiality requirements to protect documentation
and information concerning individuals and families fleeing domestic
violence. These special confidentiality requirements will be similar to
those already in place under HUD's existing homeless programs. HUD
welcomes comments on confidentiality requirements that HUD should
consider in the upcoming proposed rule.
Lastly, for the definition of ``homeless individual with a
disability,'' this proposed rule clarifies that any condition arising
from the etiologic agency for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
includes infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
The Department invites comment on the further elaboration of the
terms ``homeless,'' ``homeless individual,'' ``homeless person,'' and
``homeless individual with a disability,'' as presented in this
proposed rule. The purpose of this proposed rule is to provide
sufficient guidance for the consistent and effective implementation of
the new definitions in the HEARTH Act, and public comment on this rule
will assist HUD in meeting this purpose.
III. Findings and Certifications
Regulatory Planning and Review
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reviewed this rule under
Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review.'' This rule
was determined to be a ``significant regulatory action'' as defined in
section 3(f) of the order (although not an economically significant
regulatory action under the order). The docket file is available for
public inspection in the Regulations Division, Office of the General
Counsel, Room 10276, 451 7th Street, SW., Washington, DC 20410-0500.
Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, please
schedule an appointment to review the docket file by calling the
Regulations Division at 202-402-3055 (this is not a toll-free number).
Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may access this number
via TTY by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at 800-877-
8339.
Information Collection Requirements
The information collection requirements contained in this proposed
rule have been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520). In
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, an agency may not conduct
or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of
information, unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB
control number.
The burden of the information collections in this proposed rule is
estimated as follows:
Reporting and Recordkeeping Burden
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Number of Number of average time Estimated
Section reference respondents responses per for requirement annual burden
respondent (in hours) (in hours)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
24 CFR 577.3 Reporting requirements......... 19,500 65 0.25 316,875
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with 5 CFR 1320.8(d)(1), HUD is soliciting comments
from members of the public and affected agencies concerning this
collection of information to:
(1) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency,
including whether the information will have practical utility;
(2) Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of
the proposed collection of information;
(3) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to
be collected; and
(4) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those
who are to respond; including through the use of appropriate automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g.,
permitting electronic submission of responses.
Interested persons are invited to submit comments regarding the
information collection requirements in this rule. Comments must refer
to the proposal by name and docket number (FR-5333-P-01) and must be
sent to:
HUD Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, New Executive Office
Building, Washington, DC 20503, Fax number: 202-395-6947; and
Reports Liaison Officer, Office of Community Planning and Development,
Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW.,
Room 7220, Washington, DC 20410-8000.
Environmental Impact
This proposed rule does not direct, provide for assistance or loan
and mortgage insurance for, or otherwise govern or regulate, real
property acquisition, disposition, leasing, rehabilitation, alteration,
demolition, or new construction, or establish, revise or provide for
standards for construction or construction materials, manufactured
housing, or occupancy. Accordingly, under 24 CFR 50.19(c)(1), this
proposed rule is categorically excluded from environmental review under
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42. U.S.C. 4321).
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
(UMRA) establishes requirements for Federal agencies to assess the
effects of their regulatory actions on State, local, and tribal
governments and on the private sector. This proposed rule does not
impose a Federal mandate on any State, local, or tribal government, or
on the private sector, within the meaning of UMRA.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) generally
requires an agency to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any
rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements, unless the
agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule solely
addresses the definitions of ``homeless,'' ``homeless individual,''
``homeless person,'' and ``homeless
[[Page 20545]]
individual with a disability.'' The purpose of this rule is to
determine the universe of individuals and families who qualify as
``homeless'' under the HEARTH Act, and are therefore eligible to be
served by HUD homeless programs that will be implemented by separate
rulemaking. Given the narrow scope of this rule, HUD has determined
that it would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
Notwithstanding HUD's determination that this rule will not have a
significant effect on a substantial number of small entities, HUD
specifically invites comments regarding any less burdensome
alternatives to this rule that will meet HUD's objectives as described
in this preamble.
Executive Order 13132, Federalism
Executive Order 13132 (entitled ``Federalism'') prohibits an agency
from publishing any rule that has federalism implications if the rule
either imposes substantial direct compliance costs on State and local
governments and is not required by statute, or the rule preempts State
law, unless the agency meets the consultation and funding requirements
of section 6 of the Executive Order. This final rule does not have
federalism implications and does not impose substantial direct
compliance costs on State and local governments nor preempt State law
within the meaning of the Executive Order.
List of Subjects in 24 CFR Part 577
Community facilities, Emergency shelter grants, Grant programs--
housing and community development, Homeless, Nonprofit organizations,
Rent subsidies, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Supportive
services.
Accordingly, for the reasons described in the preamble, HUD
proposes to add part 577 to subchapter C of chapter V of subtitle B of
24 CFR to read as follows:
PART 577--EMERGENCY SOLUTIONS GRANTS PROGRAM
Sec.
577.2 Definitions.
577.3 Recordkeeping requirements.
Authority: 42 U.S.C. 11301, 42 U.S.C. 3535(d).
Sec. 577.2 Definitions.
Developmental disability means, as defined in section 102 of the
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000
(42 U.S.C. 15002):
(1) A severe, chronic disability of an individual that--
(i) Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or
combination of mental and physical impairments;
(ii) Is manifested before the individual attains age 22;
(iii) Is likely to continue indefinitely;
(iv) Results in substantial functional limitations in three or more
of the following areas of major life activity:
(A) Self-care;
(B) Receptive and expressive language;
(C) Learning;
(D) Mobility;
(E) Self-direction;
(F) Capacity for independent living;
(G) Economic self-sufficiency; and
(v) Reflects the individual's need for a combination and sequence
of special, interdisciplinary, or generic services, individualized
supports, or other forms of assistance that are of lifelong or extended
duration and are individually planned and coordinated.
(2) An individual from birth to age 9, inclusive, who has a
substantial developmental delay or specific congenital or acquired
condition, may be considered to have a developmental disability without
meeting three or more of the criteria described in paragraphs (1)(i)
through (v) of this definition if the individual, without services and
supports, has a high probability of meeting those criteria later in
life.
Homeless, homeless individual, and homeless person mean:
(1) An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and
adequate nighttime residence and is:
(i) An individual or family with a primary nighttime residence that
is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a
regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park,
abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;
(ii) An individual or family living in a supervised publicly or
privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living
arrangements (including hotels and motels paid for by Federal, State,
or local government programs for low-income individuals or by
charitable organizations, congregate shelters, and transitional
housing); or
(iii) An individual who is exiting an institution where he or she
resided for 90 days or less and who resided in a shelter or place not
meant for human habitation immediately before entering that
institution;
(2) An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary
nighttime residence, provided that:
(i) The primary nighttime residence will be lost within 14 days of
the application for homeless assistance;
(ii) No subsequent residence has been identified; and
(iii) The individual or family lacks the resources or support
networks needed to obtain other permanent housing;
(3) Unaccompanied youth and homeless families with children and
youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes who do not
otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition and:
(i) Have not had a lease, ownership interest, or occupancy
agreement in permanent housing at any time during the 91 days
immediately preceding the application for homeless assistance;
(ii) Have experienced persistent instability as measured by three
moves or more during the 90-day period immediately before applying for
homeless assistance; and
(iii) Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended
period of time because of chronic disabilities, chronic physical health
or mental health conditions, substance addiction, histories of domestic
violence or childhood abuse, the presence of a child or youth with a
disability, or two or more barriers to employment, which include the
lack of a high school degree or General Education Development (GED),
illiteracy, low English proficiency, a history of incarceration, and a
history of unstable employment; and
(4) Any individual or family who:
(i) Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating
violence, sexual assault, stalking, or other dangerous or life-
threatening conditions that relate to violence against the individual
or a family member that has either taken place within the individual's
or family's primary nighttime residence or has made the individual or
family afraid to return to their primary nighttime residence;
(ii) Has no other residence; and
(iii) Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other
permanent housing.
Homeless individual with a disability means an individual who is
homeless and has a disability that:
(1)(i) Is expected to be long-continuing or of indefinite duration;
(ii) Substantially impedes the individual's ability to live
independently;
(iii) Could be improved by the provision of more suitable housing
conditions; and
(iv) Is a physical, mental, or emotional impairment, including an
impairment caused by alcohol or drug abuse, post-traumatic stress
disorder, or brain injury;
[[Page 20546]]
(2) Is a developmental disability, as defined in this section; or
(3) Is the disease of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or
any conditions arising from the etiologic agency for acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, including infection with the human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Sec. 577.3 Recordkeeping requirements.
(a) General.--[Reserved].
(b) Homeless Status.--Each recipient of assistance under this part
must maintain and follow written intake procedures to ensure compliance
with the homeless definition in Sec. 577.2. The procedures must
require documentation at intake of the evidence relied upon to
establish and verify homeless status of the individuals and families
applying for homeless assistance. The recipient must keep these records
for 5 years after the end of the grant term.
(1) Acceptable evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraphs (1)(i) and
(ii) of the homeless definition of homeless status, includes
certification by the individual or head of household seeking
assistance, a written observation by an outreach worker of the
conditions where the individual or family was living, or a written
referral by another housing or service provider.
(2) Acceptable evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (1)(iii) of
the homeless definition, that a person resided in a shelter or place
not meant for human habitation and is exiting an institution where he
resided for 90 days or less, includes the evidence described in
paragraph (b)(1) of this section, plus a written referral from a social
worker, case manager, or other appropriate official of the institution,
stating the beginning and end dates of the time residing in the
institution.
(3)(i) The evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (2)(i) of the
homeless definition, that a person or family will imminently lose their
housing, must include one of the following:
(A) A court order resulting from an eviction action notifying the
individual or family that they must leave within 14 days of the date of
their application for homeless assistance;
(B) For individuals and families leaving hotel or motel rooms not
paid for by Federal, State, or local government programs for low-income
individuals or by charitable organizations, evidence that the
individual or family lacks the financial resources necessary to reside
there for more than 14 days from the date of application for homeless
assistance; or
(C) An oral statement by the individual or head of household
seeking assistance that the owner or renter of the housing in which
they currently reside will not allow them to stay for more than 14 days
from the date of application for homeless assistance. This oral
statement must be documented and verified. The oral statement must be
documented by a self-certification; that is, the individual or head of
household certifies in writing to the veracity of the oral statement
made. Verification must be received from the owner or renter of the
housing in which the individual or family resides at the time of
application for homeless assistance. The verification may be a written
or oral statement of the owner or renter recorded by the intake worker
or a written record of the intake worker's due diligence in attempting
to obtain a statement from the owner or renter.
(ii) The evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (2)(i) of the
homeless definition, must also include:
(A) Certification by the individual or head of household seeking
assistance that no subsequent residence has been identified, and
(B) Self-certification or other written documentation that the
individual or family lacks the financial resources and support networks
needed to obtain other permanent housing.
(4) Acceptable evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (3) of the
homeless definition, for unaccompanied youth and homeless families with
children and youth defined as homeless under other Federal statutes
that do not otherwise qualify as homeless, is--
(i) For Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (3)(i) of the homeless
definition, certification by the homeless individual or head of
household seeking assistance, written observation by an outreach worker
or referral by a housing or service provider;
(ii) For Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (3)(ii) of the homeless
definition, certification by the individual or head of household
seeking assistance and any available supporting documentation that the
individual or family moved three or more times during the 90-day period
immediately before applying for homeless assistance, including:
Recorded statements or records obtained from each owner or renter of
housing, provider of shelter or housing, or social worker, case worker,
or other appropriate official of a hospital or institution in which the
individual or family resided; or, where these statements or records are
unobtainable, a written record of the intake worker's due diligence in
attempting to obtain these statements or records; and
(iii) For Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (3)(iii) of the homeless
definition, acceptable evidence includes written diagnosis from an
appropriate licensed professional, intake staff-recorded observation of
disability confirmed within 45 days of the application for assistance
by an appropriate licensed medical professional, employment records,
department of corrections records, and literacy, English proficiency,
and IQ tests.
(5) Acceptable evidence under Sec. 577.2, in paragraph (4) of the
homeless definition, for individuals or families fleeing domestic
violence, includes an oral statement by the individual or head of
household seeking assistance, written observation by the intake worker,
or written referral by a housing or service provider, social worker,
the hospital, or the police. If an oral statement is used, it must be
documented by either a self-certification or a certification by the
intake worker.
Dated: March 22, 2010.
Mercedes M[aacute]rquez,
Assistant Secretary for Community, Planning and Development.
[FR Doc. 2010-8835 Filed 4-19-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4210-67-P