HB 643 Summary

• Appropriates $16,500,000 for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to the Department of Human Services and Department of Health to fund outreach programs, rapid re-housing, housing first initiatives, family assessment centers, law enforcement assisted diversion, and coordinated statewide homelessness programs.

• Establishes a short-term rental assistance pilot program with $800,000 appropriation for each of fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to provide time-limited rental assistance and financial case management to homeless or at-risk families and individuals.

• Establishes a long-term rental assistance pilot program with $1,500,000 appropriation for each of fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 administered by the Executive Office of Aging to assist individuals over age 60 who are homeless or at imminent risk, ensuring rent does not exceed 50 percent of income.

• Authorizes the Department of Human Services and Department of Health to merge the pilot programs with existing assistance programs and establish qualification standards and rules for program beneficiaries.

• Takes effect July 1, 2019.