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AB-1813 Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024: housing grants.(2023-2024)

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Date Published: 01/10/2024 09:00 PM
AB1813:v99#DOCUMENT


CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 1813

Introduced by Assembly Member Alanis

January 10, 2024

An act to add Chapter 14.6 (commencing with Section 50870) to Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to housing.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 1813, as introduced, Alanis. Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024: housing grants.
Existing law requires the Department of Housing and Community Development to administer various housing programs, including the Multifamily Housing Program and the CalHome Program.
This bill would establish the Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024. The bill would require the department, upon appropriation by the legislature, to establish and administer a grant program for cities and counties to provide subsidies for senior citizens at risk of homelessness. The bill would require that, of the grants awarded pursuant to the program, 50% of the funds be awarded to localities with at least 250,000 residents, and 50% be awarded to localities with less than 250,000 residents. The bill would require funds awarded through the program be obligated by no later than July 31, 2025. The bill would authorize the department to reallocate any part of an award that is not so obligated to other grantees participating in the program that meet specified requirements. The bill would require a grantee to award rental subsidies to individuals, not to exceed $500 per month for up to 18 months, based on specified requirements. The bill would establish the Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024 Fund in the State Treasury, and would provide moneys in the fund be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for use in accordance with the program.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Chapter 14.6 (commencing with Section 50870) is added to Part 2 of Division 31 of the Health and Safety Code, to read:
CHAPTER  14.6. Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024

50870.
 This chapter shall be known, and may be cited, as the Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024.

50871.
 The Senior Tenant Shallow Rental Subsidy Program of 2024 Fund is hereby established in the State Treasury. Moneys in the fund shall be allocated, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to the department for use in accordance with this chapter.

50872.
 (a) (1) Upon appropriation by the Legislature, the department shall establish and administer a program to provide grants to cities and counties to provide subsidies for senior citizens at risk of homelessness.
(2) Of the grants awarded pursuant to the program, 50 percent of the total funds shall be awarded to localities with at least 250,000 residents, and 50 percent shall be awarded to localities with less than 250,000 residents.
(3) (A) Localities with at least 250,000 residents shall be eligible for block grants.
(B) (i) A locality with less than 250,000 residents may request an allocation of block grant funds in the form and manner prescribed by the department.
(ii) The department shall grant a request made pursuant to this subparagraph if the locality, in the department’s judgment, demonstrates that it has established a program consistent with the requirements of this section and has the capability to implement the resources provided by the state.
(4) The department may contract with third parties to minimize the costs of administering the program.
(b) (1) Funds awarded must be obligated no later than July 31, 2025.
(2) The department may reallocate any part of an award that is not obligated by July 31, 2025, to other grantees participating in the program that have expended at least 50 percent of their reservation pools or have an oversubscribed application list for rental assistance.
(c) Awards made by grantees to individuals shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500) per month, and shall not exceed 18 months.
(d) A grantee shall award rental subsidies to individuals pursuant to the guidelines established by this subdivision.
(1) In order to qualify for a rental subsidy, an individual must satisfy all of the following:
(A) Be at least 55 years of age.
(B) Be a person of low income, as that term is defined in subdivision (a) of Section 50093, or at or below 50 percent of area median income.
(C) Not be receiving another housing subsidy through the city or county.
(D) Currently spending at least 50 percent of their income on rent, or is at risk of becoming homeless.
(E) Have a landlord that is willing to participate in the program.
(2) A grantee shall give priority to subsidy applicants that satisfy the following:
(A) Heads of household who are at least 60 years of age.
(B) Households whose income does not exceed 30 percent of area median income.

50873.
 The department may contract with an education and outreach provider to conduct a multilingual statewide campaign to promote participation in, and accessibility to, the subsidy program established by this chapter.

50874.
 Of the amount appropriated for the purpose of this chapter, the department may use up to 4 percent for administrative costs.