2009 Policy Guide

Date: 29 Jul 2009

Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness

Files:

This policy guide applies the principles set forth in the Ten Year Plan to legislation before Congress. In general, there are two kinds of legislation that Congress uses to make Federal policy. Each year, Congress passes appropriations, which are laws setting funding levels for Federal programs, including many that help poor and homeless people. Congress also works on authorizing legislation to initiate or reform programs and to shape the economic environment through tax policy and other regulations.

This guide is designed to share information with our members about both kinds of measures and their impact on people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness. It describes existing law, the changes under examination by Congress, and, in many cases, our recommendations.

In it, you will find the following information:

Introductions:

The Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness
What We Know About Housing and Homelessness
The Homelessness Budget

Issue Briefs:

Family Homelessness
Chronic Homelessness
Homeless Youth
Homeless Veterans

Legislation/Recommendations

Appropriations
Homeless Assistance Grants
Section 8—Tenant-based Rental Assistance
SAMHSA Homeless Services
Community Health Centers/Health Care for the Homeless
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program
Education for Homeless Children and Youth
Homeless Veterans Grant and Per Diem
Emergency Food and Shelter Program
Housing and Urban Development Appropriations
Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations
Miscellaneous Appropriations

Authorizations
Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act
National Housing Trust Fund
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Reauthorization
Section Eight Voucher Reform Act (SEVRA) (H.R. 3045)
Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act (H.R. 1675)
Legislation Addressing Veterans Homelessness
Reauthorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (S. 678)
Sense of Congress that Children Have a Right to Adequate Housing (H.Res. 582)
Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (H.R. 2667/S. 244)