INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS

House Bill 5802

Sponsor:  Rep. Phil Cavanagh

Committee:  Oversight

Complete to 9-29-14

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5802 AS INTRODUCED 9-16-14

House Bill 5802 would create a new act to be known as the Council on Homelessness Act.

Council Membership 

Under the bill, a 14-member state Interagency Council on Homelessness would be created within the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).  In addition to the MSHDA executive director, the council's members would include either the director or designee from seven state departments:  Technology, Management and Budget; Military and Veterans Affairs; Community Health; Corrections; Education; Human Services; and Natural Resources.  Further the governor would appoint a representative of Michigan's courts, and five public members.  The governor's appointees would serve four-year staggered terms; would have to be appointed within 30 days after the enacted bill went into effect; and would not be compensated.

Purpose

The interagency council's chief purpose would be to maintain a 10-year plan to end homelessness.   To that end, the council would do the following: 

o                   provide an annual progress report to the governor and legislature;

o                   serve as the single statewide homeless planning and policy development resource;

o                   disseminate information to educate state officials;

o                   serve as the hub for collaboration, accountability, and support for all state programs serving the homeless;

o                   maintain a public website;

o                   provide training, and oversee a campaign to end homelessness; and

o                   host an annual homelessness conference.

The bill requires that the state plan be coordinated with "Opening Doors," the federal strategic plan to end homelessness (adopted by the U.S. Interagency Council), but be tailored to the characteristics of Michigan's homeless population.  To meet this requirement, the interagency council would do the following:

o                   develop measurable goals (including numeric goals for permanent housing units available for target homeless populations);

o                   measure progress annually;

o                   measure housing retention and how well homeless programs help their clients become employed and access mainstream programs;

o                   create and coordinate a statewide data collection and reporting system;

o                   assemble accurate fiscal and demographic information and research data to support policy development and track outcomes;

o                   prepare a statewide production plan for permanent supportive housing;

o                   coordinate the balancing of state continuum of care with local continuums under the U.S.  Department of Housing and Urban Development's continuum of care program; and increase effectiveness and efficiency by promoting systems integration (such as health service and housing supports).

Open Meetings and FOIA 

The MSHDA executive director would call the first meeting of the council.  The council would then meet at least quarterly, after electing its chairperson and other officers.  A majority of the members would constitute a quorum, and all business would be conducted at a public meeting held in compliance with the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.

 

Advisory Group

The council could establish an advisory group made up of representatives of (1) state agencies participating in the council, (2) continuum of care organizations, (3) a statewide homeless advocacy group, and (4) other public and private entities to assist the council in its duties.  The advisory group would meet monthly.  The council could adopt, reject, or modify any recommendations proposed by the advisory group.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5802 would result in increased administrative costs for MSHDA that would normally result from the creation and operation of a commission or council.  Administrative costs would include the costs of preparing for and conducting the meetings of the council and advisory group.  In addition, members of the council may be reimbursed for their actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.  An estimate of these costs is not available.  MSHDA is entirely funded with restricted and federal revenues.

 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                 Fiscal Analysts:   Ben Gielczyk

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.