H647 - Task Force on Homelessness

• Establishes a 12-member North Carolina Task Force on Homelessness to study homelessness rates, successful methods from other states, Housing First principles, and the financial costs of homelessness versus Housing First approaches.

• Task Force composition includes 2 House members and 1 public member appointed by House Speaker, 2 Senate members and 1 public member appointed by Senate President Pro Tempore, minority party leaders from both chambers each appointing 1 designee and 1 public member, and 2 public members appointed by the Governor.

• Task Force co-chairs designated by House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore; Legislative Services Commission provides meeting space, staff support, and operational funding with members receiving travel and subsistence expenses.

• Task Force must deliver final report with findings and recommendations to General Assembly by May 1, 2018, including guidance on state endorsement of Housing First as preferred model, requiring percentage of state homelessness funding for rural areas, directing Housing Trust to fund Housing First projects, and creating incentives for new Housing First programs.

• Task Force terminates May 1, 2018, or upon filing final report, whichever occurs first.