4047730 Resolution 19-676, "Local Rent Supplement Program Voucher Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2012"

A RESOLUTION

 

19-676

 

IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

November 1, 2012

 

 

To declare the existence of an emergency with respect to the need to amend the Homeless Services Reform Act of 2005 to authorize the Mayor and the District of Columbia Housing Authority to fill vacant Rent Supplement Program tenant-based voucher slots with homeless families referred by the Department of Human Services and determined to have first priority to shelter, through the end of the 2012-2013 hypothermia season

 

            RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Local Rent Supplement Program Voucher Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2012”.

 

Sec. 2.  (a) Recently a number of vacant local rental assistance vouchers under the Rent Supplement Program were allowed to lapse by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (“DCHA”). 

(b) Over the past 2 years, the Council has stricken language in the Budget Support Act which has prohibited DCHA from filling vacant vouchers. 

(c) Following a public oversight roundtable on the matter, a compromise was reached to utilize the vacant vouchers for the housing needs of homeless families referred by the Department of Human Services.

(d) The Mayor and the District of Columbia Housing Authority need the legal authority to immediately begin to fill vacant Rent Supplement Program tenant-based voucher slots with homeless families referred by the Department of Human Services and determined to have first priority to shelter. 

(e) Such referrals shall be made in accordance with the special eligibility criteria set forth in 29 DCMR §2556 through 29 DCMR § 2558. 

(f) The Local Rent Supplement Program Voucher Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 will allow vouchers to be targeted to families in most urgent need of housing during the 2012-2013 hypothermia season. 

 

Sec. 3. The Council of the District of Columbia determines that the circumstances enumerated in section 2 constitute emergency circumstances making it necessary that the Local Rent Supplement Program Voucher Emergency Amendment Act of 2012 be adopted after a single reading.

 

            Sec. 4.  This resolution shall take effect immediately.