San Diego City Wire

Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the Housing Navigators Act to create a new program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) to provide direct housing counseling for renters and people experiencing homelessness to connect with critical services and housing placement opportunities.

“Escaping homelessness is incredibly challenging – and that’s partly because those experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness often don’t know where to turn for support and resources,” said Jacobs. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Housing Navigators Act to help individuals and families navigate the complicated housing system and secure transitional or permanent housing that meets their needs. San Diego County’s homeless population grew 22% last year and has the largest population of veterans experiencing homelessness in the country – and this legislation would help them and millions of others across the country get off the streets, out of their cars, or away from doubling-up and into housing that’s safe and affordable.”

“California is experiencing a homelessness crisis and we need to ensure that people have the resources and support they need to navigate the complex housing system and find long-term housing,” said Schiff. “The Housing Navigators Act will help reduce the burden on people experiencing homelessness who are struggling to find affordable, stable housing. We must support, promote, and expand strategies that help individuals and families find housing and remain housed.”

OCH’s current Housing Counseling Program primarily assists homeowners in need of help with issues such as financing a home, undergoing home repairs, and securing foreclosure assistance. 

The Housing Navigators Act would fund a Housing Navigator Program specifically to assist people experiencing homelessness and people at risk of homelessness. The Housing Navigator Program would provide funding to states, local governments, and housing nonprofits to assist people and families with navigating homelessness services, securing transitional housing and permanent housing placements, and assistance with completing applications for housing assistance programs. The Housing Navigators Act would provide an additional $50 million to HUD’s Office of Housing Counseling to support the work of housing counseling agencies and hire additional staff working to end the nation’s homelessness crisis. It would increase the capacity for housing casework and eliminate barriers faced by unhoused individuals and low-income tenants. 

The legislation is endorsed by Acenscia, Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), LeadingAge, Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, National Housing Law Project (NHLP), National Housing & Rehabilitation Association, National Leased Housing Association, and U.S.VETS.

It is cosponsored by Reps. Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.), Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-Washington, DC).

The full bill text can be found here.

Original source can be found here.