(a) This section applies only to projects funded with funds appropriated for supportive housing projects.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Ask a legal question, get an answer ASAP!
Click here to chat with a lawyer about your rights.

(1) “May restrict occupancy to persons with veteran status” means that the sponsor may limit occupancy to persons meeting the criteria of paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (j) with respect to either of the following:

(A) Any unit in the development that has not been previously occupied.

(B) Any unit in the development that subsequently becomes vacant, for a period of not more than 120 days following the vacancy.

(2) (A) “Target population” means persons, including persons with disabilities, and families who are “homeless,” as that term is defined by Section 11302 of Title 42 of the United States Code, or who are “homeless youth,” as that term is defined by paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of § 12957 of the Government Code.

(B) Individuals and families currently residing in supportive housing meet the definition of “target population” if the individual or family was “homeless,” as that term is defined by Section 11302 of Title 42 of the United States Code, when approved for tenancy in the supportive housing project in which they currently reside.

(c) (1) The department shall ensure that at least 40 percent of the units in each development funded under the supportive housing program are targeted to one or more of the following populations:

(A) Individuals or families experiencing “chronic homelessness,” as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Super Notice of Funding Availability for Continuum of Care or Collaborative Applicant Program.

(B) “Homeless youth,” as that term is defined by paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of § 12957 of the Government Code.

(C) Individuals exiting institutional settings, including, but not limited to, jails, hospitals, prisons, and institutes of mental disease, who were homeless when entering the institutional setting, who have a disability, and who resided in that setting for a period of not less than 15 days.

(2) The department may decrease the number of units required to meet the criteria identified in paragraph (1) if the department determines that the program is undersubscribed after issuing at least one Notice of Funding Availability.

(3) Individuals and families currently residing in supportive housing meet the qualifications under this subdivision if the individual or family met any of the criteria specified in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (1) when approved for tenancy in the supportive housing project in which they currently reside.

(d) Supportive housing projects shall provide or demonstrate collaboration with programs that provide services that meet the needs of the supportive housing residents.

(e) The criteria, established by the department, for selecting supportive housing projects shall give priority to supportive housing projects that include a focus on measurable outcomes and a plan for evaluation, which evaluation shall be submitted by the borrowers, annually, to the department.

(f) The department may provide higher per-unit loan limits as reasonably necessary to provide and maintain rents that are affordable to the target population.

(g) In an evaluation or ranking of a borrower’s development and ownership experience, the department shall consider experience acquired in the prior 10 years.

(h) (1) A borrower shall, beginning the second year after supportive housing project occupancy, include the following data in their annual report to the department. However, a borrower who submits an annual evaluation pursuant to subdivision (e) may, instead, include this information in the evaluation:

(A) The length of occupancy by each supportive housing resident for the period covered by the report and, if the resident has moved, the reason for the move and the type of housing to which the resident moved, if known.

(B) Changes in each supportive housing resident’s employment status during the previous year.

(C) Changes in each supportive housing resident’s source and amount of income during the previous year.

(D) The tenant’s housing status prior to occupancy, including the term of the tenant’s homelessness.

(2) The department shall include aggregate data with respect to the supportive housing projects described in this section in the report that it submits to the Legislature pursuant to Section 50675.12.

(i) The department shall consider, commencing in the second year of the funding, the feasibility and appropriateness of modifying its regulations to increase the use of funds by small projects. In doing this, the department shall consider its operational needs and prior history of funding supportive housing facilities.

(j) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the sponsor of a supportive housing development may restrict occupancy to persons with veteran status if all the following conditions apply:

(1) The veterans possess significant barriers to social reintegration and employment that require specialized treatment and services that are due to a physical or mental disability, substance abuse, or the effects of long-term homelessness.

(2) The veterans are otherwise eligible to reside in an assisted unit.

(3) The sponsor also provides, or assists in providing, the specialized treatment and services.

(Amended by Stats. 2023, Ch. 780, Sec. 3. (SB 482) Effective January 1, 2024.)