Bill > HR6477

This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to expand support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness by introducing a new concept of support through "furniture banks" - registered charities or nonprofit organizations that provide household furnishings at little to no cost. Specifically, the bill allows the Continuum of Care (CoC) Program to make payments to furniture banks to cover the costs of providing, delivering, installing, and assembling household furnishings for three groups: currently homeless individuals and families, those who were homeless in the past six months and now in permanent housing, and those in permanent supportive housing. The bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to submit two reports within three years: one assessing the impact of furniture bank payments on homeless individuals, and another analyzing "furniture poverty" - defined as the inability to access, afford, or maintain essential household furniture. Importantly, any furnishings provided would become the sole property of the recipient. The bill includes a sunset provision, with all provisions automatically repealing five years after enactment, ensuring a time-limited experimental approach to addressing furniture insecurity among homeless populations.

Business and Industry

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/6477/all-info