Federal Policy
The Legislative Affairs unit monitors a range of federal legislation and regulatory action related to homelessness ranging from affordable housing and land use to services for foster youth and veterans. In addition, LAHSA closely tracks the federal budget process, which appropriates funding for key homelessness programs, such as the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Grants program, as well as vital programs that serve as bulwarks against homelessness, such as the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Federal Advocacy
As the lead agency in the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, LAHSA provides local perspective to the larger issue of homelessness and uses its expertise and voice to impact decisions being made at the Federal level.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Public Comment on Reducing Barriers to HUD Housing (June 10, 2024)
- Public Comment on HUD Access to Housing and Programs (September 13, 2023)
- Public Comment on New Proposed Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule (March 24, 2023)
- Public Comment on the Implementation of the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities Amendments (March 25, 2022)
- Public Comment on Reinstatement of HUD's Discriminatory Effects Standard (July 23, 2021)
- Public Comment on Restoration of Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Definitions and Certifications (July 12, 2021)
- Public Comment in Opposition to Proposed Changes to the Equal Access Rule
- Public Comment on HUD's Implementation of the Fair Housing Act's Disparate Impact Standard (September 27, 2019)
Other Federal Departments, Committees, and Agencies
- Public Comment on SSI In Kind Support and Maintenance (ISM) Rule (October 23, 2023)
- Request for Information on Tenant Screening Practices (May 23, 2023)
- Public Comment on the Proposed Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Rule (April 22, 2022)
- Letter Supporting Housing Investments in the Reconciliation Package (October 15, 2021)
- Public Comment on Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds Interim Final Rule (June 25, 2021)
- Public Comment on Certification of Evidence for Proof of VA Service (April 23,2021)
- Public Comment in Opposition to Proposed Methodology Changes to the Standard Utility Allowance in SNAP (December 2, 2019)
- Public Comment on Categorical Eligibility in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)(August 25, 2019)
Federal Budget
The work that LAHSA and its community partners engage in could not be possible without federal appropriations. LAHSA’s Legislative Affairs unit tracks this process to monitor the resources allocated to key programs to prevent and end homelessness, so that LAHSA can best serve the individuals, families with children, and youth experiencing homelessness in the LA CoC.
Federal Legislation Related to Housing and Homelessness
| Year | No. | Title | Author | Summary | Status | LAHSA Position | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | S.2932 | Housing Alignment and Coordination of Critical and Effective Supportive Health Services (ACCESS) Act | Sen. Ed Markey (MA) | Would align housing and health care services by providing critical guidance for providers seeking Medicaid reimbursement for housing-related services and supports. | In Senate Committee | Support | |
| 2024 | N/A | Housing Alignment and Coordination of Critical and Effective Supportive Health Services (ACCESS) Act | Rep. Nanette Barragan (CA-44) | Would align housing and health care services by providing critical guidance for providers seeking Medicaid reimbursement for housing-related services and supports. | Introduced | Support | |
| 2024 | H.R.8340 | Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act | Rep. Brad Sherman (CA-32) | Would amend the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) definition of annual income to exclude disability payments received by a veteran for eligibility purposes for housing built under the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) Program. | In House Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | S.24 | Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act | Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA) | Would authorize a grant program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund housing and supportive services for individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness. | In Senate Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | S.1557 | Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act | Sen. Maria Cantwell (WA) | Would update and make improvements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. | In Senate Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | H.R.5277 | Prevent Homelessness Act | Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36) | Would establish a Housing Stabilization Fund to provide emergency housing assistance to very low-and extremely low-income renters and homeowners. | In House Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | H.R.516 | Fighting Homelessness Through Services and Housing Act | Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36) | Would authorize a grant program within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to fund housing and supportive services for individuals, youth, and families experiencing homelessness | In House Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | H.R.4941 | Providing Access to Treatment and Housing (PATH) Act | Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-30) | Would establish a Center for Unhoused Individuals within the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and create a grant program to provide mental health services, substance use disorder services, and housing services for people experiencing homelessness. | In House Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | H.R.4390 | Housing Navigators Act | Rep. Adam Schiff (CA-30) | Would establish a grant program to provide support for Housing Navigators who assist homeless individuals navigate local, state, and federal housing assistance programs. | In House Committee | Support | |
| 2023 | H.R.3238 | Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act | Rep. Darin LaHood (IL-16) | Would update and make improvements to the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit. | In House Committee | Support |