GAO STUDY OF HOMELESSNESS AND HOMELESS ASSISTANCE IN RURAL AREAS.

SEC. 1402. GAO STUDY OF HOMELESSNESS AND HOMELESS ASSISTANCE IN RURAL AREAS.(a) Study and Report.—Not later than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this division, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to examine homelessness and homeless assistance in rural areas and rural communities and submit a report to the Congress on the findings and conclusion of the study. The report shall contain the following matters:(1) A general description of homelessness, including the range of living situations among homeless individuals and homeless families, in rural areas and rural communities of the United States, including tribal lands and colonias.(2) An estimate of the incidence and prevalence of homelessness among individuals and families in rural areas and rural communities of the United States.(3) An estimate of the number of individuals and families from rural areas and rural communities who migrate annually to non-rural areas and non-rural communities for homeless assistance.(4) A description of barriers that individuals and families in and from rural areas and rural communities encounter when seeking to access homeless assistance programs, and recommendations for removing such barriers.(5) A comparison of the rate of homelessness among individuals and families in and from rural areas and rural communities compared to the rate of homelessness among individuals and families in and from non-rural areas and non-rural communities.(6) A general description of homeless assistance for individuals and families in rural areas and rural communities of the United States.(7) A description of barriers that homeless assistance providers serving rural areas and rural communities encounter when seeking to access Federal homeless assistance programs, and recommendations for removing such barriers.(8) An assessment of the type and amount of Federal homeless assistance funds awarded to organizations serving rural areas and rural communities and a determination as to whether such amount is proportional to the distribution of homeless individuals and families in and from rural areas and rural communities compared to homeless individuals and families in non-rural areas and non-rural communities.(9) An assessment of the current roles of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Agriculture, and other Federal departments and agencies in administering homeless assistance programs in rural areas and rural communities and recommendations for distributing Federal responsibilities, including homeless assistance program administration and grantmaking, among the departments and 123 STAT. 1701 agencies so that service organizations in rural areas and rural communities are most effectively reached and supported.(b) Acquisition of Supporting Information.—In carrying out the study under this section, the Comptroller General shall seek to obtain views from the following persons:(1) The Secretary of Agriculture.(2) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.(3) The Secretary of Health and Human Services.(4) The Secretary of Education.(5) The Secretary of Labor.(6) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.(7) The Executive Director of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.(8) Project sponsors and recipients of homeless assistance grants serving rural areas and rural communities.(9) Individuals and families in or from rural areas and rural communities who have sought or are seeking Federal homeless assistance services.(10) National advocacy organizations concerned with homelessness, rural housing, and rural community development.(c) Effective Date.—This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this division.