Safe parking program grants

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means— (A) a unit of general purpose local government; (B) an Indian Tribe or a tribally designated housing entity; (C) a nonprofit organization that provides services to homeless persons; or (D) a collaborative applicant or other organization or entity funded under the Continuum of Care Program under subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.). (2) Essential service The term essential service means an essential service described in section 576.102 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation. (3) Safe parking program The term safe parking program means a program that— (A) provides a homeless person living in a vehicle, including a motor home, with a safe place to park the vehicle overnight to facilitate a transition to more stable housing; and (B) provides permanent rehousing services and essential services. (b) Establishment of program Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a grant program to provide amounts to eligible entities for costs associated with— (1) the establishment and operation of a new safe parking program; or (2) the operation of a safe parking program in existence as of the date on which amounts are provided. (c) Grant term The term of a grant awarded under subsection (b) shall be 5 years. (d) Amount (1) In general During the 5-year term of a grant awarded under subsection (b), the Secretary shall distribute 20 percent of the grant amounts each year. (2) Cap An eligible entity may not receive more than $5,000,000 in grant amounts under subsection (b). (e) Applications (1) In general To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (b), an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary at the time, in the manner, and containing the information that the Secretary requires, including a description of how the eligible entity will use any amounts received. (2) Priority The Secretary shall give priority to applications from eligible entities that serve homeless persons in underserved areas (as defined in section 81.2 of title 24, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation). (f) Use of funds Except as provided in subsection (h), any eligible entity that is awarded a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant amounts for costs associated with— (1) establishing and operating a safe parking program; (2) providing permanent rehousing assistance to families using the safe parking program, such as case management services; (3) employing staff who maintain the safety and health of participants in the safe parking program and monitor program compliance with subtitle C of title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11381 et seq.), if applicable; (4) establishing and maintaining the operation of hygiene facilities and restrooms for homeless persons; (5) maintaining the vehicles of homeless persons using a safe parking program and providing gas for those persons to use their vehicles for activities that will help them obtain or maintain housing, including— (A) driving to work, school, or medical appointments; and (B) searching for a home; or (6) entering data and information into a homeless management information system (as that term is used in section 402(f)(3) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360a(f)(3))). (g) Multiple locations An eligible entity may use amounts provided under subsection (b) to establish or continue operating a safe parking program at multiple locations. (h) Alternative use of funds If an eligible entity determines that a safe parking program is no longer necessary, the eligible entity may, after approval from the Secretary, use amounts provided under subsection (b) for activities that are eligible for the use of Emergency Solutions Grants Program amounts under section 415 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11374). (i) Rehousing and case management services A homeless person who makes use of a safe parking program established or operated using amounts awarded under subsection (b) shall not be required to accept case management or rehousing services offered as part of the program. (j) Reports to Congress (1) Initial report Not later than 180 days after the last day of the second fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress an initial report on the impact of grants awarded under subsection (b), including, to the extent determinable, any data about— (A) the number of homeless persons living in vehicles in the geographic region over which the eligible entity has jurisdiction, or in which the eligible entity operates, during each of the 7 previous years; (B) the demographics and number of homeless persons who choose to participate in a safe parking program; and (C) the number of homeless persons who choose to participate in a safe parking program and exit into permanent housing. (2) Final report Not later than 180 days after the last day of the fifth fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a final report on the impact of grants awarded under subsection (b), including, to the extent determinable, any data described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection. (k) Termination of grant program The Secretary may not award a grant under subsection (b) after the last day of the fifth fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act. (l) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for each of the first 5 fiscal years beginning after the date of enactment of this Act.