Pilot program for housing assistance for homeless Native Americans and Alaska Natives

(a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible American Indian and Alaska Native The term eligible American Indian and Alaska Native means a member of an Indian Tribe who is homeless or at risk of homelessness, as defined in sections 103 and 401 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302, 11360). (2) Eligible recipient The term eligible recipient means an Indian tribe, or a tribally designated housing entity or tribal organization designated by such Indian tribe to apply for a grant on its behalf under this section. (3) Program The term Program means the program established under subsection (b). (b) Establishment The Secretary may use not more than 5 percent of the amounts made available for grants under title IV of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360 et seq.) each fiscal year to carry out a housing and supportive services program, to be known as the Tribal Homeless Assistance program, by awarding grants to eligible recipients for the benefit of eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives. (c) Model; consultation The Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall— (1) model the Program on the rental assistance and supported housing program authorized under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) and applicable appropriations Acts for Native American veterans that are homeless or at risk of homelessness living on or near a reservation or other Indian areas; and (2) consult with eligible recipients to ensure effective delivery of grants under the Program. (d) Application Each eligible recipient applying for a grant under the Program shall submit to the Secretary an application that describes how the partnership of the eligible recipient with an Indian tribe, tribal organization, nonprofit organization, or the Indian Health Service will provide 2 years of mandatory case management services to a beneficiary of housing assistance provided under the Program, including in partnership with other qualified organizations, when appropriate. (e) Priority An eligible recipient that receives a grant under the Program shall prioritize providing assistance to homeless youth, families with children, and survivors of domestic violence. (f) Funding criteria Grants awarded under the Program shall be based on need, administrative capacity, and other criteria established by the Secretary in consultation with the Indian Health Service and eligible recipients. (g) Administration and waiver authority The Program shall be administered in accordance with the requirements under the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4101 et seq.), provided that the Secretary shall be authorized to waive, or specify alternative requirements for, any provision of any statute or regulation that the Secretary administers in connection with the use of funds made available under the Program (except for requirements related to fair housing, nondiscrimination, and labor standards), upon a finding by the Secretary that any such waiver or alternative requirement is necessary for the effective delivery and administration of such assistance. (h) Renewal grants The Secretary may set aside amounts made available under subsection (b) for renewal grants under the Program and define renewal criteria, including data reporting. (i) Study on barriers to implementation Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Indian Health Service, shall review and submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the Program, including any barriers to implementation.