Homelessness Funding Formula

Since coming to Congress, Scott has worked tirelessly to get the Department of Housing and Urban Development to reopen their Continuum of Care homelessness funding formula for public comment. Despite having one of the nation’s largest homeless populations, San Diego doesn’t receive the homelessness funding it needs. Scott sent multiple letters, hosted Secretary Castro in both San Diego and DC, and finally offered and passed an amendment to the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act that required HUD to reopen the formula. Ultimately, in July 2016, HUD reopened the formula for public comment and included four new proposals, each of which would result in increased funding for San Diego.

Effective Distribution of Homelessness Assistance

In 2016, Scott introduced and helped pass the Housing Assistance Efficiency Act, which allows non-profits to directly administer homelessness assistance grants to those who need it. This eliminates a bureaucratic step that required non-profits to connect homeless individuals with federal agencies to receive aid rather than administer the aid directly to those who need it. Ultimately, the language was included in the Highway Trust Fund Reauthorization and is now law. San Diego non-profits do important work in support of our homeless community. Scott’s bill allows them to expand and improve their efforts to support people directly.

Affordable Housing

Scott helped pass the FY18 Omnibus spending bill, which increased the value of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit by raising the volume cap by 12.5% and establishing a permanent income averaging provision. The GOP Tax Bill hurt the value of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which finances the construction of affordable housing projects. This strengthens the value of the credit and encourages future housing development.

Youth Homelessness

Scott authored an appropriations letter requesting $100 million set aside for the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, which provides specific funding for homeless youth. The funding was included in the House-passed spending bill. The program was funded at $80 million after Senate negotiations. San Diego received the largest Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program grant in 2018, totaling $7.94 million, and leads the country in testing innovative solutions for youth homelessness.