Chief Patron: Herring
TANF for Rental Assistance Pilot Program
Item 344 #2h
Item 344 #2h | First Year - FY2011 | Second Year - FY2012 | |
| Health And Human Resources |
| Social Services, Department of | FY2011 $2,350,000 | FY2012 $2,350,000 | NGF |
Language
Page 237, line 21, strike "$2,127,243" and insert "$4,477,243".
Page 237, line 21, strike "$2,127,243" and insert "$4,477,243".
Page 233, after line 15, insert:
"H. Out of this appropriation, $2,350,000 the first year and $2,350,000 the second year from the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) block grant shall be provided to the Department of Housing and Community Development for a rental assistance pilot project through Homeless Intervention Program sites."
Explanation
(This amendment provides $2.4 million each year from the federal TANF block grant for a rental assistance pilot project that would be created in the Department of Housing and Community Development through its existing Homeless Intervention Program sites, minimizing administrative costs and ensuring that funds go directly to families and individuals in need. The purpose of the pilot project is to temporarily fill the gap between family income and the cost of housing for very low income working families, with priority given to families leaving welfare for work and working families and individuals unable to leave shelters due to the difference between their housing budget and area rents. It is estimated that 375 families could be served in the first year of the pilot project. The project would include the requirement for biannual reports from the participating localities in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, as well as a final report to the Governor and the Housing Commission on the effectiveness of the pilot project. Virginia is eligible to receive additional TANF funds through the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund established in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for increased costs of basic assistance, non-recurrent short-term payments and subsidized employment over a base year of 2007 or 2008. Data from the Department of Social Services demonstrates increased costs in the eligible categories during fiscal year 2009 and fiscal year 2010, which qualifies Virginia for additional reimbursements. The Department may use these funds to offset its increased caseload costs, which should free up TANF funding for the Rental Assistance Program. A companion amendment to House Bill 29 provides start-up funding for the pilot project in fiscal year 2010.)