Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program
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Proposed rule.
CFR Part: "38 CFR Part 62"
RIN Number: "RIN 2900-AO50"
Citation: "79 FR 26669"
"Proposed Rules"
SUMMARY: The
EFFECTIVE DATE: Comments must be received by VA on or before
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted through http://www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand delivery to the Director, Regulation Policy and Management (02REG),
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On
In order to ensure its continued success and to address minor issues that have arisen through the course of the administration of SSVF, we are proposing to revise the regulations. In particular, these revisions would establish a class of very low-income veteran families who are most in need (identified in this proposed rule as "extremely low-income veteran families"), and make other necessary refinements to the regulations. Additional clarifications are included with respect to the categories and classification of participants. These changes should ensure that those most in need receive supportive services under SSVF, and that VA aligns its terminology with that used by the
A discussion of the proposed revisions to part 62 follows.
62.2: "Homeless" Definition
VA proposes to amend the definition of "homeless" to adopt HUD's definition in 24 CFR 576.2. Currently, VA uses the statutory definition of "homeless" that is applicable to similar programs administered by HUD, but without the benefit of HUD's interpretation of this term. The authorizing statute for SSVF specifically requires VA to use the definition set forth in 42 U.S.C. 11302. 38 U.S.C. 2044(f)(3). HUD, not VA, is the primary government agency charged with interpreting and applying section 11302, and therefore adopting HUD's regulation would support a single, nationally applicable definition of "homeless." In addition, adopting HUD's regulation would help ensure consistent reporting on homelessness across both agencies, as per a recommendation from the
62.2 and 62.34(f): Emergency Housing Assistance
VA proposes to define "emergency housing" in
Under SSVF, grantees are authorized to provide supportive services to a very low-income veteran family that is homeless and scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for permanent housing, or that has exited permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to the very low-income veteran family's needs and preferences. See 38 CFR 62.11(a)(2), (3). Proposed
Proposed SEC 62.34(f)(1) through (5) would limit grantees' authority to provide emergency housing assistance to situations in which placement in emergency housing would be considered truly temporary. These time- and cost-based limitations would ensure the integrity of SSVF's mission to assist in the placement of veteran families in permanent housing. In cases where the participant would require placement in emergency housing more frequently or for a longer period of time, it would be more appropriate for the participant to obtain assistance from other VA, Federal, State or local programs. The time limitation for an emergency housing placement for a single veteran is a maximum of 72 hours. This is because VA offers multiple short- and long-term community-based transitional housing alternatives, including the Grant and Per Diem Program and the Health Care for Homeless Veterans contract residential care program, as well as a variety of VA-based residential care programs. There are fewer comparable transitional housing alternatives available for a veteran and his or her spouse and/or dependents. As a result, we propose a longer, 30-day time limitation for placement of a veteran and his or her spouse with dependents in emergency housing. The grantee may also connect veteran families with appropriate non-VA resources within the community, such as housing programs offered by local governments or non-governmental organizations. We would also state that a participant may be placed in emergency housing only once during any 3-year period, beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for emergency housing on behalf of the participant. VA believes that this limit is reasonable because veteran households who need more consistent financial assistance would be better served by a program that offers longer term financial assistance, such as the HUD-VA Supportive Housing Program. Furthermore, to ensure that emergency housing is used in support of plans to place participants in permanent housing, emergency housing placement would only be allowed when permanent housing has been identified and secured, and will be available before the end of the period during which the participant is placed in emergency housing.
Further, proposed
62.2, 62.33(h)(2)(i), 62.34(a)(1), 62.34(b)(1) and 62.35(a): Extremely Low-Income Veteran Family
In SEC 62.2, we propose to add a definition of the term "extremely low-income veteran family." The term would be defined as "a veteran family whose annual income, as determined in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609, does not exceed 30 percent of the median income for an area or community." This definition would essentially establish a subgroup of very low-income veteran families who have greater need than other very low-income veteran families, whose income may be as high as 50 percent of the median income for an area or community (under the existing
The first additional benefit offered to extremely low-income veteran families would appear in
We believe that veteran families subsisting on an income that is 30 percent of the median income in their area or community face particularly difficult economic circumstances and commensurate barriers to placement in or retention of permanent housing, and therefore additional relief may be appropriate in accordance with these proposed revisions. SSVF is designed to provide families with temporary assistance and to facilitate self-sufficiency by working with the family to build a sustainable living situation. In doing so, VA must minimize the risk that veteran families become dependent on such assistance over the long term. The proposed maximums set forth above would provide needed short-term assistance without enabling long-term dependence on VA to cover essential family expenses. We note that HUD has established the 30 percent median income threshold as a determining factor to define "at risk of homelessness." See 24 CFR 576.2. Therefore, we believe that the 30 percent median is an appropriate measure of increased risk of homelessness that would require additional, though not permanent assistance. In addition, VA received feedback from grantees through the administration of this program suggesting that veteran families at lower levels of income are more difficult to reach and require more resources in order for the interventions authorized under this program to succeed. Based on that feedback, we believe that the increased benefit amounts authorized under the proposed rule would help ensure that grantees can be successful in supporting extremely low-income veteran families.
We propose to revise
62.2 and 62.34(e):
VA proposes to remove the definition of "emergency supplies" in current
Under current
Proposed paragraph (e)(1) would continue to authorize grantees to provide the items that currently are defined as emergency supplies. This does not represent a substantive change in regulation or policy.
Proposed paragraph (e)(2) would authorize grantees to pay for certain types of expenses. In order to reduce the potential for misuse of funds and generally facilitate management of SSVF grants, we would require that payment be made directly to a third party and not to a participant. For similar reasons, and because payment of these types of expenses is not the primary goal of SSVF, we would limit these payments to
The three classes of expenses that would be authorized by proposed paragraph (e)(2)(i) through (iii) relate to a participant's ability to gain or keep employment or permanent housing. In our experience administering SSVF, costs related to basic employment (such as uniforms, tools, certifications, and licenses), basic housing needs (such as kitchen utensils, bedding, and other supplies), and securing permanent housing (such as fees for housing applications, housing inspections, or background checks) are often barriers to a participant's success in obtaining and keeping permanent housing.
62.2, 62.11(b), 62.35(a), and 62.36(a): Reclassification of Categories of Participants
Under current
We propose to delete current
Similarly, we propose to revise current
62.11: Categories of Participants
We propose to amend the categories of participants eligible for SSVF as set forth in current
Current SEC 62.11(a)(1) identifies the first category of participants eligible for SSVF funding as those very low-income veteran families who are "residing in permanent housing". We propose adding to this in proposed
The existing regulations at
When the SSVF legislation was passed by
Additionally, for the same reasons we propose to add the "but for" language to proposed
Similarly, we propose amending the third category of participants in proposed
62.20 and 62.22: Identifying Appropriate Veteran Families
We propose to amend
We recognize that 38 U.S.C. 2044 both defines very low-income veteran families and requires that we provide grants to eligible entities that would assist such families. However, due to the limited availability of SSVF funding, and based also on our authority to "establish criteria for the selection of eligible entities" under 38 U.S.C. 2044(c)(3), we believe that the proposed reporting requirement is a reasonable implementation of our statutory authority. In addition, it accords with our fiscal responsibility to minimize overlap when we provide benefits to veterans, to ensure the necessity and integrity of each veterans benefits program. Finally, we believe that this language would emphasize that SSVF is not an anti-poverty program, or a program of general assistance. As such, it is not intended to reach all veterans who are in need of financial assistance; rather, SSVF's limited purpose and scope are to assist veteran families who are at risk of becoming homeless absent SSVF intervention and rapidly re-house those that have become homeless.
Under current
62.31: Supportive Service: Case Management Services
Current SEC 62.31 requires grantees to "provide case management services that include, at a minimum" the requirements set forth in paragraphs (a) through (e). We propose to add a requirement to the introductory sentence that grantee case management services "prioritize housing stability as the primary goal of SSVF services." This requirement is consistent with the statutory authority and the manner in which we have always intended that SSVF programs operate. We would explicitly include it under case management services as it is the policy of VA to support a housing first model in the approach to addressing and ending homelessness. The housing first model establishes housing stability as the primary intervention in working with homeless persons. This means that grantees should ensure that case managers focus on housing before addressing issues such as participants' sobriety or mental health.
We would also add a new requirement in proposed paragraph (f) that case management services "assist[] participants in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable permanent housing." Assistance in retaining permanent housing is one of the fundamental goals of SSVF, and not requiring case management assistance in this regard was an oversight in our publication of current
62.33: Supportive Service: Assistance in Obtaining and Coordinating Other Public Benefits
Current SEC 62.33(c) authorizes grantees to assist participants in obtaining certain financial planning services. We would amend paragraph (c) to authorize grantees to use "SSVF funds [to] pay for credit counseling and other services necessary to assist program participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving credit problems." Such assistance has proved important to ensure that participants can maintain permanent housing in a significant number of cases administered through SSVF.
Current SEC 62.33(d)(3)(i) authorizes grantees to make payments on behalf of participants needing car repairs or maintenance in an amount of up to
Current SEC 62.33(g) authorizes grantees to provide, or assist participants in obtaining, legal services relevant to issues that interfere with the participant's ability to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services. Through the administration of this program, grantees have sometimes been unsure of the intended scope of this paragraph. We propose to amend paragraph (g) to clarify that it is intended to broadly encompass matters of employment and financial security, and that it includes the authority to pay for related court fees. We would add a caveat that "SSVF funds may not be used to pay for court-ordered judgments or fines." This prohibition against using SSVF funds to pay court-ordered judgments or fines would be consistent with proposed
In SEC 62.33(h), VA proposes to revise the introductory sentence to further define age limits for supportive services for child care. We propose that the services should be available "for children under the age of 13, unless disabled. Disabled children must be under the age of 18." This would bring the availability of child care services through SSVF in conformity with similar regulations issued by HUD. See 24 CFR 576.102(a)(1)(ii).
Also related to grantees' authority to pay child care expenses, we would amend current paragraph (h)(2)(i), which limits child care payments to a period of up to 4 months in a 12-month period. We would increase this number to a maximum 6 months in a 12-month period, and add an additional restriction that grantees cannot pay for child care in excess of 10 months during a 3-year period. These limitations are consistent with other 6-month limitations for temporary financial assistance offered through SSVF. Grantees have communicated to VA that implementing various time limitations for specific benefits is cumbersome, and requested that VA provide a single time period for such limitations.
62.34: Other Supportive Services
In addition to authorizing greater rental and utility assistance for extremely low-income veteran families for the reasons discussed above, we propose to revise
62.36: Habitability Standards
Proposed SEC 62.36(f) would require grantees using supportive services funds to provide rental assistance, payments of utilities fees, security deposits, or utilities deposits on behalf of a participant who is moving into a new (different) housing unit to confirm the unit meets the minimum conditions set forth in 24 CFR 583.300(b). By requiring grantees' use of these HUD habitability standards in certain circumstances, VA is encouraging grantees to be mindful of the safety and quality of housing to which participants are moving. To minimize the burden that this requirement may place on grantees, these standards do not require the use of a certified inspector. Rather, the habitability standards inspection can be performed by grantee staff members. Timely inspections must occur in a manner consistent with the goals of rapid re-housing, that is, the process should be completed as quickly as possible so that a new barrier to housing placement is not created. Regardless, the inspection should occur no more than 3 working days after the housing unit has been identified. Alternatively, the grantee may rely on timely certified inspections that have already been completed by another governmental or community agency. We believe it is reasonable to consider an inspection timely if it was completed with the past 2 years. Criteria for these inspections have been added to
62.38: Ineligible Activities
VA proposes to add a new
In paragraph (a), we propose to prohibit SSVF resources from being used to pay for mortgage and other costs associated with home ownership. Instances where homeowners become homeless are rare. The vast majority of homeowners tend to have more options available to them, even after a foreclosure. Therefore, we do not believe that such assistance would be the most efficient use of limited SSVF resources.
In paragraph (b), we would prevent SSVF funds to be used for construction or rehabilitation of buildings. The investment of resources into infrastructure is complex, and SSVF funds are limited in a manner that could not guarantee ongoing funding for such projects. Therefore, we do not believe that infrastructure investment as a means to prevent homelessness is viable under SSVF.
Under paragraph (c), we would clarify that SSVF grant funds cannot be used to directly pay for any "[h]ome care and home health aides typically used to provide care in support of daily living activities," and under paragraph (e), we would clarify that SSVF funds cannot be used to pay for medical or dental care and medicines. Grantees may refer veterans and families for health care treatment or assistance with daily living services provided by other public entities, including VA where appropriate. However, grantees may not use SSVF funds to pay for such care or services as it would represent a duplication of available services. VA health care and mainstream entitlements (such as
Paragraphs (d) through (g) list uses of funds that are prohibited specifically because there is little connection to the prevention of homelessness. Generally, these items can be addressed through alternative means. For example, credit card and other consumer debt may be discharged in other ways that do not result in the loss of housing. Therefore, it is not necessary to use SSVF for such purpose. SSVF funds should not be used to absolve responsibility for court-ordered judgments or fines, because the purpose of the program is not to ensure participant solvency. Additionally,
Finally, SSVF is not designed to support entertainment or optional activities, and therefore, SSVF funds should not be used for pet care and entertainment, which would be barred uses under proposed paragraphs (h) and (i).
Comment Period
Although under the rulemaking guidelines in Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, VA ordinarily provides a 60-day comment period, the Secretary has determined that there is good cause to limit the public comment period on this proposed rule to 45 days. VA determined that in order to take advantage of increased funding for the SSVF program, certain limitations of program benefits should be expanded for those veteran families in the greatest need. Because SSVF supports VA's homelessness prevention efforts, VA's expedited ability to disburse funding to grantees under these revised regulations could potentially lead to a decrease in homelessness among very low-income veteran families. Therefore, the need to take action is particularly great for those veterans and their families who would benefit from the increased supportive services funded by SSVF under these revised regulations. Accordingly, the Secretary has determined that it would be contrary to the public interest to provide for a longer comment period, and VA has provided that comments must be received within 30 days of publication in the
Effect of Rulemaking
The Code of Federal Regulations, as proposed to be revised by this proposed rulemaking, would represent the exclusive legal authority on this subject. No contrary rules or procedures would be authorized. All VA guidance would be read to conform with this proposed rulemaking if possible or, if not possible, such guidance would be superseded by this rulemaking.
Paperwork Reduction Act
Although this action contains provisions constituting collections of information, at 38 CFR 62.20, 62.36, and 62.60, under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521), no new or proposed revised collections of information are associated with this proposed rule. The information collection requirements for SUBSEC 62.20, 62.36, and 62.60 are currently approved by the
In proposed
In a final rule published on
Regulatory Flexibility Act
The Secretary hereby certifies that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. This proposed rule would only impact those entities that choose to participate in SSVF. Small entity applicants would not be affected to a greater extent than large entity applicants. Small entities must elect to participate, and it is considered a benefit to those who choose to apply. To the extent this proposed rule would have any impact on small entities, it would not have an impact on a substantial number of small entities. In FY 2013, 151 organizations successfully submitted applications for SSVF funding and would be effected by this rule. The changes described in this rule should have a positive impact compared to the existing rule as changes would generally aid grantees in providing service and thereby reduce time demands. On this basis, the Secretary certifies that the adoption of this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities as they are defined in the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612. Therefore, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 605(b), this rulemaking is exempt from the initial and final regulatory flexibility analysis requirements of sections 603 and 604.
Executive Order 12866 and 13563
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, when regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, and other advantages; distributive impacts; and equity). Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, reducing costs, harmonizing rules, and promoting flexibility. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) defines a "significant regulatory action," which requires review by OMB, unless OMB waives such review, as "any regulatory action that is likely to result in a rule that may: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of
The economic, interagency, budgetary, legal, and policy implications of this regulatory action have been examined, and it has been determined not to be a significant regulatory action under Executive Order 12866. VA's impact analysis can be found as a supporting document at http://www.regulations.gov, usually within 48 hours after the rulemaking document is published. Additionally, a copy of the rulemaking and its impact analysis are available on VA's Web site at http://www1.va.gov/orpm/, by following the link for "VA Regulations Published."
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires, at 2 U.S.C. 1532, that agencies prepare an assessment of anticipated costs and benefits before issuing any rule that may result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of
Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance numbers and titles for the programs affected by this document are 64.009, Veterans Medical Care Benefits and 64.033, VA Supportive Services for Veteran Families Program.
Signing Authority
The Secretary of
List of Subjects in 38 CFR Part 62
Administrative practice and procedure, Day care, Disability benefits, Government contracts, Grant programs--health, Grant programs--social services, Grant programs--transportation, Grant programs--veterans, Grants--housing and community development, Heath care, Homeless, Housing, Housing assistance payments, Indian-lands, Individuals with disabilities, Low and moderate income housing, Manpower training program,
Dated:
Director, Regulation Policy and Management,
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the
PART 62--SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VETERAN FAMILIES PROGRAMS
1. The authority citation for part 62 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044, and as noted in specific sections.
2. Amend
a. Removing the definition of "Emergency supplies".
b. Adding the definitions of "Emergency housing", "Extremely low-income veteran family", and "General housing stability assistance", in alphabetical order.
b. Revising the definition of "Homeless".
c. Revising the definition of "Occupying permanent housing".
The additions and revisions read as follows:
* * * * *
Emergency housing means temporary housing provided under
Extremely low-income veteran family means a veteran family whose annual income, as determined in accordance with 24 CFR 5.609, does not exceed 30 percent of the median income for an area or community.
General housing stability assistance means the provision of goods or payment of expenses that are directly related to supporting a participant's housing stability and are authorized under
* * * * *
Homeless has the meaning given that term in 24 CFR 576.2.
* * * * *
Occupying permanent housing means meeting any of the conditions set forth in
* * * * *
3. Revise
A very low-income veteran family will be considered to be occupying permanent housing if the very low-income veteran family:
(a) Is residing in permanent housing and at risk of becoming homeless, per conditions in paragraph (b)(1) of this section, but for the grantee's assistance;
(b)(1) Is lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:
(i) That the veteran family's primary nighttime residence 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 bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;
(ii) That the veteran family is living in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals); or
(iii) That the veteran family is exiting an institution where the veteran family resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution;
(2) Are at risk to remain in the situation described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section but for the grantee's assistance; and
(3) Scheduled to become a resident of permanent housing within 90 days pending the location or development of housing suitable for permanent housing; or
(c) Has met any of the conditions described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section after exiting permanent housing within the previous 90 days to seek other housing that is responsive to the very low-income veteran family's needs and preferences.
Note to paragraph (c): For limitations on the provision of supportive services to participants classified under paragraph (c) of this section, see
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)
4. Amend
a. Redesignating paragraphs (a)(2) through (a)(7) as paragraphs (a)(3) through (a)(8),respectively.
b. Adding a new paragraph (a)(2).
c. Adding a parenthetical at the end of the section.
The additions read as follows:
(a) * * *
(2) A description of how the applicant will ensure that services are provided to very low-income veteran families for whom:
(i) No appropriate housing options have been identified for the veteran family; and
(ii) The veteran family lacks the financial resources and/or support networks to obtain or remain in permanent housing;
* * * * *
(
5. Amend
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(2) * * *
(i) Applicant has a feasible outreach and referral plan to identify and assist very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing that may be eligible for supportive services and are most in need of supportive services. The plan ensures that the applicant's program will assist very low-income families who also meet the requirements of
* * * * *
6. Amend
a. Revising the introductory text.
b. In paragraph (d), removing the word "and"
c. In paragraph (e), removing the period at the end of the paragraph and adding, in its place "; and".
d. Adding paragraph (f).
The revision and addition read as follows:
Grantees must provide case management services that prioritize housing stability as the primary goal of SSVF services and include, at a minimum:
* * * * *
(f) Assisting participants in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable permanent housing. Such activities may include: Identifying appropriate permanent housing and landlords willing to work with homeless veteran families; tenant counseling; mediation with landlords; and outreach to landlords.
7. Amend
a. Revising paragraph (c).
b. In paragraph (d)(3)(i), removing "
c. Revising paragraph (g).
d. Revising paragraph (h) introductory text.
e. Revising paragraph (h)(2)(i).
The revisions read as follows:
* * * * *
(c) Personal financial planning services, which include, at a minimum, providing recommendations regarding day-to-day finances and achieving long-term budgeting and financial goals. SSVF funds may pay for credit counseling and other services necessary to assist participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, managing money, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving credit problems.
* * * * *
(g) Legal services, including court filing fees, to assist a participant with issues that interfere with the participant's ability to obtain or retain permanent housing or supportive services, including issues that affect the participant's employability and financial security. However, SSVF funds may not be used to pay for court-ordered judgments or fines, pursuant to
(h) Child care for children under the age of 13, unless disabled. Disabled children must be under the age of 18. Child care includes the:
* * * * *
(2) * * *
(i) Payments for child care services must be paid by the grantee directly to an eligible child care provider and cannot exceed a maximum of 6 months in a 12-month period, and 10 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for child care services on behalf of the participant. For extremely low-income veteran families, payments for child care services on behalf of that participant cannot exceed 9 months in a 12-month period and 12 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for child care services on behalf of the participant.
* * * * *
8. Amend
a. Revising paragraph (a)(1).
b. Revising paragraph (b)(1).
c. Revising paragraph (e).
d. Redesignating paragraph (f) as paragraph (g).
e. Adding a new paragraph (f).
The revisions and addition read as follows:
* * * * *
(a) * * *
(1) A participant may receive rental assistance for a maximum of 10 months during a 3-year period (consecutive or nonconsecutive), such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant; however, a participant cannot receive rental assistance for more than 6 months in any 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant. For extremely low-income veteran families, payments for rent cannot exceed 9 months in any 12-month period and 12 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays rent on behalf of the participant. The rental assistance may be for rental payments that are currently due or are in arrears, and for the payment of penalties or fees incurred by a participant and required to be paid by the participant under an existing lease or court order. In all instances, rental assistance may only be provided if the payment of such rental assistance will directly allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(1) A participant may receive payments for utilities for a maximum of 10 months during a 3-year period, such period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays utility fees on behalf of the participant; provided, however, that a participant cannot receive payments for utilities for more than 6 months in any 12-month period beginning on the date that the grantee first pays a utility payment on behalf of the participant. For extremely low-income veteran families, payments for utilities cannot exceed 9 months in any 12-month period and 12 months during a 3-year period, such periods beginning on the date that the grantee first pays a utility payment on behalf of the participant. The payment for utilities may be for utility payments that are currently due or are in arrears, provided that the payment of such utilities will allow the participant to remain in permanent housing or obtain permanent housing.
* * * * *
(e) General housing stability assistance. (1) A grantee may provide to a participant items necessary for a participant's life or safety on a temporary basis, in order to address a participant's emergency situation.
(2) A grantee may pay directly to a third party (and not to a participant), in an amount not to exceed
(i) Expenses associated with gaining or keeping employment, such as obtaining uniforms, tools, certifications, and licenses.
(ii) Expenses associated with moving into permanent housing, such as obtaining basic kitchen utensils, bedding, and other supplies.
(iii) Expenses necessary for securing appropriate permanent housing, such as fees for housing applications, housing inspections, or background checks.
(f) Emergency housing assistance. If permanent housing, appropriate shelter beds and transitional housing are not available and subsequent rental housing has been identified but is not immediately available for move-in by the participant, then a grantee may place a participant in emergency housing, subject to the following limitations:
(1) Placement for a single veteran may not exceed 72 hours.
(2) Placement for a veteran and his or her spouse with dependent(s) may not exceed 30 days.
(3) A participant may be placed in emergency housing only once during any 3-year period, beginning on the date that the grantee first pays for emergency housing on behalf of the participant.
(4) Permanent housing will be available before the end of the period during which the participant is placed in emergency housing.
(5) The cost of the emergency housing must be reasonable in relation to the costs charged for other available emergency housing considering the location, quality, size, and type of the emergency housing.
* * * * *
9. Amend
a. Revising paragraph (a).
b. In paragraph (b), remove "
The revision reads as follows:
(a) Extremely low-income veteran families. A participant classified as an extremely low-income veteran family will retain that designation as long as the participant continues to meet all other eligibility requirements.
* * * * *
10. Amend
a. Revising paragraph (a).
b. Adding a new paragraph (f).
c. Adding a parenthetical at the end of the section.
The revision and additions read as follows:
(a) Eligibility documentation. Prior to providing supportive services, grantees must verify and document each participant's eligibility for supportive services and classify the participant under one of the categories set forth in
* * * * *
(f) Habitability standards. (1) Grantees using supportive services grant funds to provide rental assistance, payments of utilities fees, security deposits, or utilities deposits, as set forth under
(2) Alternative Inspection Method. An inspection of a property will be valid for purposes of this paragraph if:
(i) The inspection was conducted pursuant to the requirements of a Federal, State, or local housing program (including, but not limited to, the Home investment partnership program under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act or the low-income housing tax credit program under section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986);
(ii) If the inspection was not conducted pursuant to the requirements of a Federal housing program, the public housing agency has certified to the Secretary that such standard or requirement provides the same (or greater) protection to occupants of inspected dwelling units;
(iii) Pursuant to the inspection, the property was determined to meet the requirements regarding housing quality or safety applicable to properties assisted under such program; and
(iv) The inspection was conducted within the past 2 years.
(
11. Add
Notwithstanding any other section in this part, grantees are not authorized to use supportive services grant funds to pay for the following:
(a) Mortgage costs or costs needed by homeowners to assist with any fees, taxes, or other costs of refinancing.
(b) Construction or rehabilitation of buildings.
(c) Home care and home health aides typically used to provide care in support of daily living activities. This includes care that is focused on treatment for an injury or illness, rehabilitation, or other assistance generally required to assist those with handicaps or other physical limitations.
(d) Credit card bills or other consumer debt.
(e) Medical or dental care and medicines.
(f) Direct cash assistance to participants.
(g) Court-ordered judgments or fines.
(h) Pet care.
(i) Entertainment activities.
(Authority: 38 U.S.C. 501, 2044)
12. Amend
* * * * *
(
[FR Doc. 2014-10251 Filed 5-8-14;
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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