Department of Housing and Urban Development

1 Vol. 77 Tuesday, No. 147 July 31, 2012. part II. Department of Housing and Urban Development 24 CFR part 578. Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing : Continuum of Care Program; Interim Final Rule emcdonald on DSK67 QTVN1 PROD with RULES2. VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:25 Jul 30, 2012 Jkt 226001 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 4717 Sfmt 4717 E:\FR\FM\ 31 JYR2. 45422 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 147 / Tuesday, July 31, 2012 / Rules and Regulations Department OF Housing AND docket number and title. There are two Federal Relay Service at 800 877 8339.

2 Urban Development methods for submitting public (this is a toll-free number). comments. All submissions must refer SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 24 CFR part 578 to the above docket number and title. 1. Submission of Comments by Mail. Executive Summary [Docket No. FR 5476 I 01]. Comments may be submitted by mail to Purpose of and Legal Authority for This RIN 2506 AC29 the Regulations Division, Office of Interim Rule General Counsel, Department of Homeless Emergency Assistance and Housing and Urban Development , 451 This interim rule implements the Rapid Transition to Housing : 7th Street SW.

3 , Room 10276, Continuum of Care program authorized Continuum of Care Program Washington, DC 20410 0500. by the Homeless Emergency Assistance 2. Electronic Submission of and Rapid Transition to Housing Act of AGENCY: Office of the Assistant 2009 (HEARTH Act). Section 1504 of Secretary for Community Planning and Comments. Interested persons may submit comments electronically through the HEARTH Act directs HUD to Development , HUD. establish regulations for this program. ACTION: Interim rule. the Federal eRulemaking Portal at HUD strongly (See 42 11301.)

4 The purpose of encourages commenters to submit the Continuum of Care program is to SUMMARY: The Homeless Emergency comments electronically. Electronic promote communitywide commitment Assistance and Rapid Transition to submission of comments allows the to the goal of ending homelessness;. Housing Act of 2009 (HEARTH Act), commenter maximum time to prepare provide funding for efforts by nonprofit enacted into law on May 20, 2009, and submit a comment, ensures timely providers, and State and local consolidates three of the separate receipt by HUD, and enables HUD to governments to quickly rehouse homeless assistance programs make them immediately available to the homeless individuals and families while administered by HUD under the public.

5 Comments submitted minimizing the trauma and dislocation McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance electronically through the caused to homeless individuals, Act into a single grant program, and Web site can be families, and communities by revises the Emergency Shelter Grants viewed by other commenters and homelessness; promote access to and program and renames it the Emergency interested members of the public. effective utilization of mainstream Solutions Grants program. The HEARTH. Commenters should follow the programs by homeless individuals and Act also codifies in law the Continuum instructions provided on that site to families; and optimize self-sufficiency of Care planning process, a longstanding submit comments electronically.

6 Among individuals and families part of HUD's application process to experiencing homelessness. assist homeless persons by providing Note: To receive consideration as public The HEARTH Act streamlines HUD's greater coordination in responding to comments, comments must be submitted homeless grant programs by their needs. The HEARTH Act also through one of the two methods specified above. Again, all submissions must refer to consolidating the Supportive Housing , directs HUD to promulgate regulations the docket number and title of the rule.

7 Shelter Plus Care, and Single Room for these new programs and processes. Occupancy grant programs into one This interim rule focuses on No Facsimile Comments. Facsimile grant program: The Continuum of Care regulatory implementation of the (FAX) comments are not acceptable. program. Local continuums of care, Continuum of Care program, including Public Inspection of Public which are community-based homeless the Continuum of Care planning Comments. All properly submitted assistance program planning networks, process. The existing homeless comments and communications will apply for Continuum of Care grants.

8 Assistance programs that comprise the submitted to HUD will be available for By consolidating homeless assistance Continuum of Care program are the public inspection and copying between grant programs and creating the following: the Supportive Housing 8 and 5 weekdays at the above Continuum of Care planning process, program, the Shelter Plus Care program, address. Due to security measures at the the HEARTH Act intended to increase and the Moderate Rehabilitation/Single HUD Headquarters building, an advance the efficiency and effectiveness of Room Occupancy (SRO) program.

9 This appointment to review the public coordinated, community-based systems rule establishes the regulations for the comments must be scheduled by calling that provide Housing and services to the Continuum of Care program, and, the Regulations Division at 202 708 . homeless. Through this interim final through the establishment of such 3055 (this is not a toll-free number). rule, HUD will implement the regulations, the funding made available Individuals with speech or hearing Continuum of Care program by for the Continuum of Care program in impairments may access this number establishing the framework for the statute appropriating Fiscal Year through TTY by calling the Federal establishing a local continuum of care (FY) 2012 funding for HUD can more Relay Service at 800 877 8339.

10 Copies and the process for applying for quickly be disbursed, consistent with of all comments submitted are available Continuum of Care grants. the HEARTH Act requirements, and for inspection and downloading at avoid any disruption in current Summary of Major Provisions Continuum of Care activities. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann The major provisions of this DATES: Effective Date: August 30, 2012. Marie Oliva, Director, Office of Special rulemaking relate to how to establish Comment Due Date. October 1, 2012. Needs Assistance Programs, Office of and operate a Continuum of Care, how ADDRESSES: Interested persons are Community Planning and Development , to apply for funds under the program, emcdonald on DSK67 QTVN1 PROD with RULES2.