Summary: Homelessness in America is a complex issue. On any given night, about 600,000 people are homeless. The population includes various subgroups, such as single adults and families, with a diverse set of needs, including mental health and substance abuse problems as well as other disabilities. In 1987, the Congress passed the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act to address the multiple needs of homeless people. HUD is responsible for running several key McKinney Act programs, including the emergency shelter grants program, the supportive housing program, the shelter plus care program, and the Section 8 single-room occupancy program. For these four programs, HUD provides funds to state and local groups either through formula or competitive grants so that communities can develop housing and services for the homeless. This testimony discusses the (1) different program requirements for these four programs and the coordination and administrative challenges that they pose and (2) actions that HUD has taken to overcome these challenges.
