HEARTH Act

On May 20, 2009, President Obama signed the Homeless Emergency and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009. The first significant legislative response to homelessness, the McKinney-Vento Act of 1986, created the Continuum of Care, Supportive Housing, Shelter Plus Care, Single Room Occupancy, and Emergency Shelter Grant Programs. According to HUD, the HEARTH Act makes substantial amendments to this legislation, including:

• A consolidation of HUD's competitive grant programs;
• The creation of a Rural Housing Stability Program;
• A change in HUD's definition of homelessness and chronic homelessness;
• A simplified match requirement;
• An increase in prevention resources; and,
• An increase in the emphasis on performance.

HUD will have 18 months to implement the HEARTH Act.

Read the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act as amended by the HEARTH Act of 2009 here. Read a summary by the National Alliance to End Homelessness here.