HB 163 — Homelessness
by Rep. Altman and others (CS/SB 68 by Appropriations Committee and Senator Book)
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 makes a number of changes to s. 420, F. S., relating to homelessness, to bring state laws in line with corresponding federal statutes. The bill eliminates outdated provisions and allows sources of federal funding to be accessed on an expedited basis. The bill adds two members to the Council on Homelessness; one representative of the Florida Housing Coalition and the Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs or his or her designee. Additionally, the bill makes several changes to challenge grants provided by the State Office on Homelessness within the Department of Children and Families to the local homeless continuums of care (CoC), which are dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness throughout the state. The bill increases the amount of challenge grant funds each CoC lead agency may receive annually from $500,000 to $750,000, and requires each CoC lead agency to document the commitment of local government or private organizations to provide matching funds or in-kind support in an amount equal to 25 percent of the grant requested.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 118-0