1
1
Councilmember Robert C. White, Jr. 2
3
4
5
A BILL 6
__________ 7
8
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 9
____________________ 10
11
To amend the Homeless Services Reform Act to establish grounds for an extension to the 12
Family Re -Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP), whereby the Department or its 13
designee will thoroughly consider the totality of the participant's circumstances, including 14
their progress and eligibility for affordable housing. 15
16
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 17
Act may be cited as the “Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program Protection Temporary 18
Amendment Act of 2024”. 19
Sec. 2. Section 7(b)(4)(B) of the Homeless Services Reform Act, effective October 22, 20
2005 (D.C. Law 16-35; D.C. Official Code § 4–753.01(b)(4)(B)), is amended as follows: 21
(a) The existing text is designated as sub-subparagraph (i). 22
(b) New sub-subparagraph s (ii) and (iii) are added to read as follows: 23
“(ii) The Department of Human Services, or the Department’s 24
designee, shall consider requests for Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP) 25
assistance extending past 12 months if: 26
“(I) There is funding available within FRSP; 27
“(II) The participant has requested an extension in writing; 28
“(III) The participant has made a good faith effort towards 29
the achievement of goals set forth in an individualized plan with the aim of a targeted 30 2
progression towards exit from the supports of FRSP, as observed by the Service Provider at
31
consistent intervals, but cannot yet sustain housing stability independently of the program; and 32
“(IV) The participant has not yet been approved for 33
permanently affordable housing. 34
“(iii) When making a determination of whether to grant a 35
participant in FRSP an extension beyond 12 months, the Department or Department's designee 36
shall: 37
“(I) Consider the totality of the circumstances; and 38
“(II) Grant extensions of time in increments not greater 39
than 6 months, with regular formal reviews every 3 months to ensure that participants are given 40
the support necessary to exit the program with stable housing.” 41
“(iv) If a requested extension of FRSP assistance by a participant is 42
denied, the participant shall be given 30 days written notice prior to the final subsidy payment 43
explicitly setting forth the reason for the denial of additional assistance and inform the 44
participant that: 45
“(I) The FRSP participant has a right to appeal the 46
determination through a fair hearing and administrative review, including deadlines for 47
requesting an appeal; and 48
“(II) The FRSP participant has a right to continuation of 49
FRSP services pending the outcome of any fair hearing requested within 15 days of receipt of 50
written notice of a termination”. 51
Sec. 3. Applicability. 52
This act shall apply as of July 10, 2024. 53 3
Sec. 4. Fiscal impact statement.
54
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. 5. Effective date. 58
(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 59
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), a 30- day period of congressional review as provided 60
in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December24, 1973 (87 Stat. 61
788; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register. 62
(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect.
63