Section 6-426 - Duties of Department.
§ 6-426. Duties of Department.
(a) In general.- The Department shall:
(1) contract with nonprofit organizations to operate the Program;
(2) seek the recommendations of the Advisory Board about policy determinations, the allocation of funds, and the development of a plan to serve homeless individuals and families;
(3) allocate any available federal funds and State funds to establish, administer, and operate shelter, nutrition, and service programs for homeless individuals and families;
(4) allocate funds to the areas of the State, considering unmet needs and the number of homeless individuals and families in those areas;
(5) establish a housing counselor and aftercare program to assist families and individuals in obtaining and maintaining permanent housing;
(6) establish and implement a homelessness prevention program to provide services to families and individuals in a housing crisis, which may include:
(i) case management services;
(ii) counseling to detect households at risk of becoming homeless;
(iii) training on budgeting and other life skills;
(iv) education about tenants' rights and responsibilities; and
(v) cash assistance;
(7) establish uniform reporting criteria for providers of services to homeless individuals and families under this part;
(8) collect regional data on the number of homeless individuals and families that receive services under this part; and
(9) make recommendations on the resources necessary to provide adequate programs.
(b) Reports.-
(1) The Department shall report annually to the Governor on the extent of homelessness during the preceding year.
(2) The Department shall submit a report to the Governor and, subject to § 2-1246 of the State Government Article, to the General Assembly on the effectiveness of the homelessness prevention program in preventing families and individuals from becoming homeless.
[An. Code 1957, art. 88A, §§ 133(d)(2), 137(a)(2)-(5), (b); 2007, ch. 3, § 2.]