§ 290aa-5. Grants for the benefit of homeless individuals

(a) In general
The Secretary shall award grants, contracts and cooperative agreements to community-based public and private nonprofit entities for the purposes of providing mental health and substance abuse services for homeless individuals. In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall consult with the Interagency Council on the Homeless [1], established under section 11311 of this title.
(b) Preferences
In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall give a preference to—
(1) entities that provide integrated primary health, substance abuse, and mental health services to homeless individuals;
(2) entities that demonstrate effectiveness in serving runaway, homeless, and street youth;
(3) entities that have experience in providing substance abuse and mental health services to homeless individuals;
(4) entities that demonstrate experience in providing housing for individuals in treatment for or in recovery from mental illness or substance abuse; and
(5) entities that demonstrate effectiveness in serving homeless veterans.
(c) Services for certain individuals
In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall not—
(1) prohibit the provision of services under such subsection to homeless individuals who are suffering from a substance abuse disorder and are not suffering from a mental health disorder; and
(2) make payments under subsection (a) of this section to any entity that has a policy of—
(A) excluding individuals from mental health services due to the existence or suspicion of substance abuse; or
(B) has a policy of excluding individuals from substance abuse services due to the existence or suspicion of mental illness.
(d) Term of the awards
No entity may receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under subsection (a) of this section for more than 5 years.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2002 and 2003.


[1] See Change of Name note below.