Program for housing assistance for homeless American Indians and Alaska Natives

(a) In general Title VII of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (25 U.S.C. 4211 et seq.), as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at the end the following: 707. Program for housing assistance for homeless American Indians and Alaska Natives (a) Definitions In this section: (1) American Indians and Alaska Natives The term American Indians and Alaska Natives means individuals who are regarded as American Indian or Alaska Native by the Indian or Alaska Native community in which the individual lives, as evidenced by tribal membership, enrollment, eligibility for enrollment, active participation in tribal affairs, or other indicia of community affiliation. (2) Domestic violence The term domestic violence has the meaning given the term in section 40002(a) of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 (34 U.S.C. 12291(a)). (3) Eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives The term eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives means American Indians and Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as defined by the Indian tribe. (4) 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. (5) Homeless youth The term homeless youth has the meaning given the term in section 387 of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (34 U.S.C. 11279). (6) Program The term Program means the program established under subsection (b). (7) Secretary of Health and Human Services The term Secretary of Health and Human Services means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Indian Health Service. (b) Establishment (1) In general The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall establish and administer a grant program to provide rental assistance and supportive housing services to be known as the Tribal Homeless Housing Assistance Grant Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. (2) Purpose The purpose of this section is to establish a supportive housing competitive grant program that— (A) provides rental assistance for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are homeless or at risk of homelessness; (B) integrates supportive services and case management; (C) prioritizes homeless youth, families with children, and survivors of domestic violence; (D) strengthens tribal self-determination in housing administration; and (E) reduces and prevents homelessness in tribal communities and Native populations. (3) Management Except as otherwise provided in this section, the Secretary shall administer the Program in a manner similar to the program under section 8(o)(19) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)) and the demonstration program established under paragraph (5) under the heading Tenant-based rental assistance under the heading Public and Indian Housing in title II of division K of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113–235; 128 Stat. 2732), in accordance with the regulations promulgated to carry out those programs. (4) Authorization 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, the Secretary may make available not more than 5 percent to carry out this section. (c) Consultation The Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall 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 eligible recipient will provide 2 years of mandatory case management services to eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives under the Program, including in partnership with other qualified organizations or the Indian Health Service, when appropriate. (e) Use of funds (1) Supportive services (A) In general An eligible recipient receiving a grant under the Program— (i) may use the grant to provide supportive services to eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives; and (ii) shall determine the supportive services that are necessary and appropriate to prevent or end homelessness, reducing housing instability, preserving family unity where housing instability is a contributing factor, or promote long-term housing stability. (B) Tribal flexibility An eligible recipient receiving a grant under the Program shall determine the nature, scope, and delivery of supportive services described in subparagraph (A), which may include services to address behavioral health needs, substance use disorders, transportation barriers, employment and education needs, child welfare involvement, domestic violence, or other barriers to housing stability identified by the eligible recipient. (C) Deference to tribal determination The Secretary— (i) shall defer to the determination of an eligible recipient regarding the design, scope, and delivery of supportive services under subparagraph (B), including culturally appropriate and traditional services identified by the eligible recipient; and (ii) may not require a showing that a specific service category is authorized under any other Federal housing or homeless assistance program, provided that the eligible recipient determines and documents that the services are reasonably related to the housing stability for eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives. (2) 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, service of homeless youth, families with children and survivors of domestic violence, and other criteria established by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Health and Human Services and eligible recipients. (g) Administration and waiver authority The Secretary may 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)(4) 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 section, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall review and submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the Program, including any recommendations to improve the Program and its implementation.. (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–330; 110 Stat. 4016) is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 706, as added by this Act, the following: Sec. 707. Program for housing assistance for homeless American Indians and Alaska Natives.