42 U.S.C. § 1437z–6 — Services for public and Indian housing residents

(a) Subject to advance appropriations, the Secretary^* may make grants to public housing^* agencies for residents, to recipients under the Native American Housing Assistance^* and Self-Determination Act of 1996 for residents of housing assisted under that Act despite section 502 of that Act, or directly to resident management corporations, councils, organizations, and resident-supported nonprofits. The grants may provide supportive services and resident empowerment activities that support residents or help them become economically self-sufficient.

(b) Money may be used only on or near the agency or project^* property, or the covered Native American property or housing, for self-sufficiency or supportive services. Activities may include: (1) physical improvements creating service space; (2) service coordinators or congregate housing services for elderly, elderly disabled, nonelderly disabled, or temporarily disabled people; (3) work-readiness services such as education, training, counseling, job searches, business training and planning, tutoring, mentoring, adult literacy, computer access, personal and family counseling, health screening, work-readiness health services, transportation, and child care; (4) economic and job development^*, employer links and placement, and start-up of resident microenterprises, community credit unions, and revolving loan funds, including needed licensing, bonding, and insurance; (5) resident management and participation; and (6) other activities improving economic self-sufficiency.

(c)(1) Except for subsection (d) amounts, the Secretary may distribute funds competitively or by formula. (2) Distribution factors include demonstrated ability to run the program, ability to obtain additional resources, and the extent to which the grant will produce a high-quality program.

(d) The Secretary may not grant an applicant unless it adds non-section funds of at least 25 percent of the grant. Those funds may come from Federal, State^*, local, or tribal governments, private contributions, or the value of in-kind services or administrative costs.

(e) If enough qualified applications exist, at least 25 percent of appropriated funds must go directly to resident councils, organizations, and management corporations. If one lacks adequate expertise, the Secretary may require it to use another qualified organization as contract administrator^* for the assistance.