CS/HB 1353 - Homelessness Summary

• Increases Council on Homelessness membership from 17 to 19 members, adding representatives from the Florida Housing Coalition and Department of Elder Affairs

• Raises maximum challenge grant awards to continuums of care lead agencies from $500,000 to $750,000, and removes requirement for council concurrence to administer these funds

• Increases maximum grant awards for homeless housing assistance from $500,000 to $750,000 per project, and increases minimum unit reservation period from 10 to 20 years

• Creates new section 420.6225 establishing continuum of care standards including coordinated entry systems, housing crisis response planning, and participatory requirements

• Creates new section 420.6227 establishing a competitive grant-in-aid program for continuums of care to prevent and end homelessness with up to 10 percent allowable for administrative costs