1 1 Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.2 3 4 5 6 7 A BILL 8 __________ 9 10 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 11 ____________________ 12 13 To amend the Homeless Services Reform Act to establish grounds for an extension to the 14 Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP), whereby the Department or its 15 designee will thoroughly consider the totality of the participant's circumstances, including 16 their progress and eligibility for affordable housing. 17 18 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUN CIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 19 Act may be cited as the “ Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program Protection Emergency 20 Amendment Act of 2023”. 21 Sec. 2. Section 7 (b)(4)(B) of t he Homeless Services Reform Act, effective October 22, 22 2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code § 4–753.01(b)(4)(B)), is amended as follows: 23 (a) The existing text is designated as sub-subparagraph (i). 24 (b) New sub-subparagraph s (ii) and (iii) are added to read as follows: 25 “(ii) The Department of Human Services, or the Department’s 26 designee, shall consider requests for Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP) 27 assistance extending past 12 months if: 28 “(I) There is funding available within FRSP; 29 “(II) The participant has requested an extension in writing; 30 “(III) The participant has made a good faith effort towards 31 the achievement of goals set forth in an individualized plan with the aim of a targeted 32 2 progression towards exit from the supports of FRSP, as observed by the Service Provider at 33 consistent intervals, but cannot yet sustain housing stability independently of the program; and 34 “(IV) The participant has not yet been approved for 35 permanently affordable housing. 36 “(iii) When making a determination of whether to grant a 37 participant in FRSP an extension beyond 12 months, the Department or Department's designee 38 shall: 39 “(I) Consider the totality of the circumstances; and 40 “(II) Grant extensions of time in increments not greater 41 than 6 months, with regular formal reviews every 3 months to ensure that participants are given 42 the support necessary to exit the program with stable housing.” 43 “(iv) If a requested extension of FRSP assistance by a participant is 44 denied, the participant shall be given 30 days written notice prior to the final subsidy payment 45 explicitly setting forth the reason for the denial of additional assistance and inform the 46 participant that: 47 “(I) The FRSP participant has a right to appeal the 48 determination through a fair hearing and administrative review, including deadlines for 49 requesting an appeal; and 50 “(II) The FRSP participant has a right to continuation of 51 FRSP services pending the outcome of any fair hearing requested within 15 days of receipt of 52 written notice of a termination ”. 53 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 54 3 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 55 statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 56 October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1- 301.47a). 57 Sec. 4. Effective date. 58 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the Mayor, 59 action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 90 days, as 60 provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 412(a) of the District of 61 Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; D.C. Official Code § 1-62 204.12(a)). 63