The President’s FY2016 budget proposal invests in programs supporting the highest-need populations, with the goal of improving coordination to ensure effective delivery of services through evidence-based practices that achieve better outcomes for vulnerable families and individuals. The Federal Plan to End Homelessness is featured prominently throughout the budget request, connecting program purposes to assisting homeless populations or helping prevent homelessness.
For the first time in 10 years, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is asking Congress to fund incremental vouchers; a total of $277 million for 37,000 would be allocated based on need in a geographical area. In addition, HUD is requesting $177.5 million for Special Purpose Vouchers to target homeless families, veterans, Native Americans and victims of domestic or dating violence. CSH has been active in a coalition being led by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to promote funding for new vouchers that target homeless households or households at risk of becoming homeless.
HUD has also asked for an additional $345 million for the Homeless Assistance Grants (McKinney-Vento) programs to renew existing programs and support new supportive housing for the chronically homeless population.
The Administration’s proposes flat-funding Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services’ programs that provide treatment and services for homeless populations, but includes $12 million for a new initiative by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to improve the care of patients with multiple chronic conditions. This initiative addresses the challenges of a growing high-cost, high-need patient population by developing and evaluating evidence-based tools to improve care coordination. The budget proposal also includes several new pilot initiatives and state Medicaid plan options to help advance the Affordable Care Act for vulnerable populations.
Finally, the Administration continues its support for evidence-based practices to achieve social outcomes for high-need populations. It is requesting $70 million for the existing Social Innovation Fund (SIF) and $300 million for a Pay for Success Incentive Fund at the US Department of Treasury that mirrors bi-partisan legislation making social impact bonds more widely available to finance innovative and successful approaches that help high-need households.
To see CSH’s entire budget analysis, click HERE.
To view HUD’s Budget and Congressional Justifications, click HERE.
To view the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s budget chart, click HERE
