Title 4. Division of Development Finance — Subtitle 21. Interagency Council on Homelessness

In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

“Continuum of Care” means a regional or local planning body that coordinates housing and services funding for homeless families and individuals.

“Council” means the Interagency Council on Homelessness.

The Council consists of the following members:

The Governor may remove a member for incompetence or misconduct.

A majority of the members then serving on the Council is a quorum.

The Council shall determine the times and places of its meetings.

Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a member of the Council:

A member of the Council appointed under § 4–2103(a)(13)(iii) or (iv) of this subtitle who is currently experiencing homelessness or has lived experience of homelessness is entitled to:

coordinate State policy and working relationships among State, local, and nonprofit agencies concerning efforts to remedy and prevent homelessness;

coordinate data sharing between local Continuums of Care;

coordinate outreach to each Continuum of Care to develop joint strategies that impact State and federal funding efforts to remedy and prevent homelessness;

determine comprehensive and effective collaborative strategies and best practices for remediation and prevention of homelessness in the State, in particular addressing the differing needs of the State’s geographic areas;

review and analyze the need for and availability of affordable and accessible housing resources to address the needs of homeless individuals throughout the State;

recommend changes necessary to alleviate or prevent homelessness, including making recommendations annually to the General Assembly, in accordance with § 2–1257 of the State Government Article, and appropriate State agencies and organizations regarding effective policies, effective distribution of resources, and access to available services and programs;

identify supportive services for special populations, including veterans, youth, families, and individuals with behavioral health problems;

disseminate information and educate the public about the prevalence and causes of and responses to homelessness;

solicit input from the advocacy community, the business community, the faith community, and consumers regarding policy and program development; and

determine best practices and models for providing emergency shelter and shelter diversion, including ensuring the health, safety, and security of shelter residents, providing client–centered and trauma–informed support services, and ensuring equal access to protected classes under applicable federal, State, and local civil rights laws.