HB 2818-S2 - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/13/04)

Declares an intent to create, and make an initial investment of state funds in, a homeless families services fund that will leverage private resources and thereby ensure the long-term availability of stable housing to support homeless families throughout the state.

Creates within the department of community, trade, and economic development the homeless families services fund program to carry out the purposes of this act.

Creates in the custody of the state treasurer an account to be known as the homeless families services fund. The fund shall include a one-time appropriation by the legislature, private contributions, and all other sources.

Establishes the homeless families services fund advisory board to advise the department in the design and administration of the fund.

Requires the department to collect information from recipients of grants from the fund to evaluate and improve the overall effectiveness of the homeless families services fund program. Areas of evaluation shall include, but need not be limited to, the following: (1) Increases in housing stability for assisted homeless families;

(2) Increases in economic self-sufficiency of assisted homeless families;

(3) Increases in independent living skills of assisted homeless families; and

(4) Decreases in the use of state-funded services or the costs of state-funded services and income support for assisted homeless families.

Requires the department to report to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature by December 1, 2004, with a preliminary plan for implementation of this act.

Requires the department and the advisory board to thereafter report on an annual basis to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature regarding the status of applications to and grant allocations from the fund and performance of the program.