September 16, 2014, Introduced by Reps. Cavanagh, Lane, LaVoy, Yanez, Brinks, Lori, Haines, Geiss, Barnett, Tlaib and Oakes and referred to the Committee on Oversight.
A bill to create a state interagency council on homelessness;
and to provide for its powers and duties.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"council on homelessness act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Council" means the state interagency council on
homelessness created in section 3(1).
(b) "Michigan state housing development authority" means the
Michigan state housing development authority created in section 21
of the state housing development authority act of 1966, 1966 PA
346, MCL 125.1421.
(c) "Opening Doors" means the federal strategic plan to
prevent and end homelessness adopted by the United States
interagency council on homelessness.
(d) "State plan" means the plan required under section 5(a).
Sec. 3. (1) The state interagency council on homelessness is
created within the Michigan state housing development authority.
(2) The council shall consist of the following members:
(a) The director of the department of technology, management,
and budget or his or her designee.
(b) The director of the department of military and veterans
affairs or his or her designee.
(c) The director of the department of community health or his
or her designee.
(d) The director of the department of corrections or his or
her designee.
(e) The superintendent of public instruction or his or her
designee.
(f) The director of the department of human services or his or
her designee.
(g) The director of the department of natural resources or his
or her designee.
(h) The executive director of the Michigan state housing
development authority or his or her designee.
(i) A representative of the courts of this state.
(j) Five members representing the general public.
(3) Members of the council described in subsection (2)(i) and
(j) shall be appointed by the governor. The members of the council
described in subsection (2)(i) and (j) first appointed to the
council shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective date
of this act. Members of the council described in subsection (2)(i)
and (j) shall serve for terms of 4 years or until a successor is
appointed, whichever is later, except that of those members first
appointed under subsection (2)(j), 1 shall serve for 1 year, 2
shall serve for 2 years, and 1 shall serve for 3 years.
(4) If a member described in subsection (2)(i) or (j) vacates
the council, the governor shall make an appointment for the
unexpired term. The governor may remove a member of the council
described in subsection (2)(i) or (j) for incompetence, dereliction
of duty, malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance in office, or any
other good cause.
(5) The first meeting of the council shall be called by the
executive director of the Michigan state housing development
authority or his or her designee. At the first meeting, the council
shall elect from among its members a chairperson and other officers
as it considers necessary or appropriate. After the first meeting,
the council shall meet at least quarterly, or more frequently at
the call of the chairperson or if requested by 3 or more members.
(6) A majority of the members of the council constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business at a meeting of the council.
A majority of the members present and serving are required for
official action of the council.
(7) The business that the council may perform shall be
conducted at a public meeting of the council held in compliance
with the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275. A
writing prepared, owned, used, in the possession of, or retained by
the council in the performance of an official function is subject
to the freedom of information act, 1976 PA 442, MCL 15.231 to
15.246.
(8) Members of the council shall serve without compensation.
However, members of the council may be reimbursed for their actual
and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their
official duties as members of the council.
Sec. 4. The council may establish an advisory group composed
of representatives from the state agencies participating in the
council, representatives of continuum of care organizations in this
state, a statewide homeless advocacy group, and other public and
private entities to assist the council in its duties and
responsibilities. The advisory group shall meet monthly. The
council may adopt, reject, or modify any recommendations proposed
by the advisory group.
Sec. 5. The council shall do all of the following:
(a) Adopt, maintain, and update a 10-year plan to end
homelessness, as described in section 6 and monitor and participate
in the implementation of the plan.
(b) Provide an annual progress report on the state plan to the
governor and legislature.
(c) Serve as the single statewide homeless planning and policy
development resource.
(d) Disseminate information, including data and best
practices, to educate state officials and the public regarding
homelessness.
(e) Serve as the hub for collaboration, accountability, and
support for all programs serving the homeless population in this
state.
(f) Maintain a publicly accessible website that provides
information on council activities and membership, the minutes of
council meetings, and a downloadable copy of the state plan.
(g) Work collaboratively to coordinate resources, provide
training, and oversee a campaign to end homelessness.
(h) Host an annual conference on homelessness.
Sec. 6. The state plan shall be coordinated with "Opening
Doors" and tailored to the characteristics of this state's homeless
population. In carrying out its responsibilities under section
5(a), the council shall do all of the following:
(a) Develop measurable goals, including numeric goals for
permanent housing units made available for target homeless
populations.
(b) Measure progress using the annual point-in-time data.
(c) Measure housing retention and how well homeless programs
help their clients become employed and access mainstream programs.
(d) Create and coordinate a statewide data collection and
reporting system.
(e) Assemble accurate fiscal and demographic information and
research data to support policy development and track outcomes.
(f) Prepare a statewide production plan for permanent,
supportive housing.
(g) Coordinate the balancing of state continuum of care with
local continuums under the United States department of housing and
urban development's continuum of care program.
(h) Promote systems integration, such as health services and
housing supports, to increase effectiveness and efficiency.