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Chairman Phil Mendelson Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr.2
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A BILL 8
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 11
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To amend, on emergency basis, due to congressional review, the Homeless Services Reform Act 14
to establish grounds for an extension to the Family Re -Housing Stabilization Program 15
(FRSP), whereby the Department or its designee will thoroughly consider the totality of 16
the participant's circumstances, including their progress and eligibility for affordable 17
housing. 18
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUN CIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 20
Act may be cited as the “ Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program Protection Congressional 21
Review Emergency Amendment Act of 2023”. 22
Sec. 2. Section 7 (b)(4)(B) of t he Homeless Services Reform Act, effective October 22, 23
2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code § 4–753.01(b)(4)(B)), is amended as follows: 24
(a) The existing text is designated as sub-subparagraph (i). 25
(b) New sub-subparagraph s (ii) and (iii) are added to read as follows: 26
“(ii) The Department of Human Services, or the Department’s 27
designee, shall consider requests for Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP) 28
assistance extending past 12 months if: 29
“(I) There is funding available within FRSP; 30
“(II) The participant has requested an extension in writing; 31
“(III) The participant has made a good faith effort towards 32
the achievement of goals set forth in an individualized plan with the aim of a targeted 33 2
progression towards exit from the supports of FRSP, as observed by the Service Provider at
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consistent intervals, but cannot yet sustain housing stability independently of the program; and 35
“(IV) The participant has not yet been approved for 36
permanently affordable housing. 37
“(iii) When making a determination of whether to grant a 38
participant in FRSP an extension beyond 12 months, the Department or Department's designee 39
shall: 40
“(I) Consider the totality of the circumstances; and 41
“(II) Grant extensions of time in increments not greater 42
than 6 months, with regular formal reviews every 3 months to ensure that participants are given 43
the support necessary to exit the program with stable housing.” 44
“(iv) If a requested extension of FRSP assistance by a participant is 45
denied, the participant shall be given 30 days written notice prior to the final subsidy payment 46
explicitly setting forth the reason for the denial of additional assistance and inform the 47
participant that: 48
“(I) The FRSP participant has a right to appeal the 49
determination through a fair hearing and administrative review, including deadlines for 50
requesting an appeal; and 51
“(II) The FRSP participant has a right to continuation of 52
FRSP services pending the outcome of any fair hearing requested within 15 days of receipt of 53
written notice of a termination ”. 54
Sec. 3. Applicability 55
This act shall apply as of July 31, 2023. 56 3
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
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The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 58
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 59
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1- 301.47a). 60
Sec. 5. Effective date. 61
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 62
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and shall remain in effect for no longer than 63
90 days, as provided for emergency acts of the Council of the District of Columbia in section 64
412(a) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 788; 65
D.C. Official Code § 1- 204.12(a)). 66