Summary of H.R. 2076 - Ending Homelessness Act of 2017

This bill is designed to provide a clear plan and funding to help end homelessness in the United States. Here's a simple explanation of what it does:

Why This Bill Matters

• Despite some progress, especially with veteran homelessness, overall homelessness has not improved enough and needs more focus.
• On any given night in 2016, nearly 550,000 people in the U.S. were homeless, including over 120,000 children.
• Many cities face homelessness crises and some have even declared it an emergency.
• The federal government wants to renew its commitment to solving this problem.

Main Actions and Funding Provided

1. Emergency Relief Funding

The bill sets aside $1 billion every year from 2018 to 2022 to give emergency grants to areas with the greatest homelessness problems. The money must be mostly used (at least 75%) for permanent housing with support services to help people stay housed, except in places where chronic homelessness is practically gone.

2. Special Housing Vouchers

$500 million annually from 2018 to 2022 will be dedicated to special rental assistance vouchers specifically for homeless individuals and families to help them find and keep housing. Up to 10% of this can be used to help people find housing and provide support.

3. Outreach and Services

$100 million a year is provided to support outreach workers like social workers and case managers who connect homeless people to services and help coordinate assistance.

4. Housing Trust Fund Boost

Starting in 2018, the bill provides $1 billion each year indefinitely to the Housing Trust Fund to build and preserve affordable housing, with an additional $50 million yearly to help with rental assistance connected to this housing. Priority will be given to people experiencing homelessness so they get housing first.

The bill also requires that families in this housing pay no more than 30% of their income on rent, making homes affordable.

5. Help for States and Communities

The bill provides $20 million for technical assistance to help states and local groups better coordinate health care, mental health, and housing services to provide more supportive housing opportunities for homeless people, especially those who are chronically homeless.

6. Permanent Funding Authorization

It makes it permanent that the government can provide whatever funding is needed each year for homeless assistance programs.

7. United States Interagency Council on Homelessness

The bill repeals the expiration of this council, effectively keeping it permanent, so it can continue to coordinate federal efforts to end homelessness.

Additional Notes

• The bill requires quick setup of formulas and programs to distribute the funds efficiently.
• Grantees must follow a “Housing First” approach, which means giving homeless people permanent housing first, then providing other support services as needed.
• There are limits on how much of the funds can be used for administrative costs (no more than 5%).
• The bill emphasizes strong reporting requirements so Congress can track progress and how funds are spent.
• This bill is designated as an emergency, which can speed up its funding and implementation.

In Simple Terms

This law is about giving a big boost of money and organization to finally end homelessness. It focuses on:

• Building and funding permanent, supportive housing.
• Offering rental help to homeless families and individuals.
• Providing outreach and support staff to connect homeless people to services.
• Helping states coordinate healthcare and housing systems to better serve homeless populations.
• Keeping programs and efforts going strong for the long term.

Overall, it’s a plan to not just temporarily shelter homeless people, but to help them get stable homes and support so they don’t fall back into homelessness.

Simple Explanation of H.R. 1988

This bill officially gives a new name to a post office building located at 1730 18th Street in Bakersfield, California. The building will now be called the "Merle Haggard Post Office Building."

After this law is passed, whenever the building is mentioned in official documents, maps, or any government papers, it will be called the Merle Haggard Post Office Building.

Merle Haggard was a famous country music singer from Bakersfield, so this naming honors his legacy.