Background: The HEARTH act provides greater decisionmaking at the local level, more closely aligns the HUD definition of homelessness with other federal agency definitions, expands resources for emergency shelter and supportive services, provides a framework for greater homeless prevention activity, and allows communities the flexibility to implement a range of housing solutions. Specifically, the HEARTH Act:

• Consolidates all HUD McKinney-Vento housing programs (except Emergency Shelter Grants) into one competitive program with a broad set of eligible activities, including homelessness prevention, permanent or transitional housing for any homeless population, and supportive services. This is the first time that homelessness prevention would be an eligible activity under the competitive portion of HUD’s homeless assistance grants.

• Aligns the HUD definition of who is homeless more closely with the definition used by other federal agencies, by including people who are living in doubled-up situations or in hotels/motels due to lack of adequate alternatives. This change will provide communities with the flexibility to serve the people who are homeless within their borders.

• Does not codify a definition of “chronic homelessness” or a set of incentives designed to end “chronic homelessness.” At the same time, communities wishing to prioritize housing and services for homeless persons living on the streets are free to target dollars to that population.

• Protects victims of domestic violence by prohibiting the disclosure of any information collected by a housing or social service provider that could identify them, and by permitting victims of domestic violence who may be in danger to immediately move to a safer living situation.

ACTION: Contact your U.S. Representative with the following message:

“The HEARTH Act, H.R. 840, will help communities respond to homelessness in rural, suburban, and urban areas by providing greater flexibility and more resources. It will help make HUD homeless policy more sensitive to the needs of all people experiencing homelessness, including families and single adults, and is therefore a critical part of a broader strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Please sign on as a co-sponsor to H.R. 840.”

Rep. Jay Inslee, 1st District: jay.inslee.mail.house.gov

Rep. Rick Larsen, 2nd District: rick.larsen@mail.house.gov

Rep. Jim McDermott, 7th District: www.house.gov/mcdermott

Rep. Dave Reichert, 8th District: www.house.gov/reichert

Rep. Adam Smith, 9th District: www.house.gov/adamsmith

For more information visit: www.npach.org/hearth