(a) Applications

Applications for assistance under this part shall be submitted by an applicant in such form and in accordance with such procedures as the Secretary shall establish, and such applications shall contain at a minimum—

(1) a description of the proposed facility;

(2) a description of the number and characteristics of the eligible persons expected to occupy the safe haven;

(3) a plan for identifying and selecting eligible persons to participate;

(4) a program plan, containing a description of the method—

(A) of operation of the facility, including staffing plans and facility rules;

(B) by which the applicant will secure supportive services for residents of the safe haven;

(C) by which the applicant will monitor the willingness of residents to engage in treatment programs and other supportive services;

(D) by which access to supportive services will be secured for residents willing to use them;

(E) by which access to permanent housing with appropriate services, such as the Shelter Plus Care program under part F of this subchapter, will be sought after residents are stabilized; and

(F) by which the applicant will conduct outreach activities to facilitate the entrance of eligible persons into the safe haven;

(5) a plan to ensure that adequate security precautions are taken to make the facility safe for the residents;

(6) an estimate of program costs;

(7) a description of the resources that are expected to be made available in accordance with section 11393(b) of this title;

(8) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the facility will have 24-hour, on-site management, if practicable;

(9) assurances satisfactory to the Secretary that the facility will be operated for the purpose specified in the application for each year in which assistance is provided under this part;

(10) a certification by the public official responsible for submitting the comprehensive housing affordability strategy under section 12705 of this title for the State or unit of general local government within which the facility is located that the proposed activities are consistent with the approved housing strategy for such jurisdiction;

(11) a certification that the applicant will comply with the requirements of the Fair Housing Act [42 U.S.C. 3601 et seq.], title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 [42 U.S.C. 2000d et seq.], section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [29 U.S.C. 794], and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 [42 U.S.C. 6101 et seq.], and will affirmatively further fair housing;

(12) a plan for program evaluation based on information that is collected on a periodic basis regarding the characteristics of the residents, including their movement in and out of the safe haven, their willingness to use low-demand services and referrals, the availability and quality of services used, and the movement of residents toward a more traditional form of permanent housing after a period of residency in the safe haven; and

(13) such other information as the Secretary may require.

(b) Site control

The Secretary shall require that an applicant furnish reasonable assurances that the applicant will have control of a site for the proposed facility not later than 1 year after notification of an award of assistance under this part. If an applicant fails to obtain control of the site within this period, the grant shall be recaptured by the Secretary and reallocated for use under this part.

The Secretary shall establish selection criteria for selecting applicants to receive assistance under this part pursuant to a national competition, which shall include—

(1) the extent to which the applicant demonstrates the ability to develop and operate a safe haven;

(2) the extent to which there is a need for a safe haven in the jurisdiction in which the facility will be located;

(3) the extent to which the program would link eligible persons to permanent housing and supportive services after stabilization in a safe haven;

(4) the cost-effectiveness of the proposed program;

(5) providing for geographical diversity among applicants selected to receive assistance;

(6) the extent to which the safe haven would meet the need of the eligible persons proposed to be served by the safe haven; and

(7) such other factors as the Secretary determines to be appropriate for purposes of carrying out the program established under this part in an effective and efficient manner.

(d) Required agreements

The Secretary may not provide assistance under this part for any safe haven program unless the applicant agrees—

(1) to develop and operate the proposed facility as a safe haven in accordance with the provisions of this part;

(2) to ensure that the facility meets any standards of habitability established by the Secretary;

(3) to provide low-demand services and referrals for the residents of the safe haven;

(4) to prohibit the use of illegal drugs and alcohol in the facility;

(5) to ensure that adequate security precautions are taken to make the facility safe for the residents;

(6) not to establish limitations on the duration of residency;

(7) not to require participation in low-demand services and referrals as a condition of occupancy;

(8) to monitor and report to the Secretary on progress in carrying out the safe haven program;

(9) to the maximum extent practicable, to involve eligible persons, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in renovating, maintaining, and operating facilities assisted under this part and in providing services assisted under this part;

(10) to provide for the participation of not less than 1 homeless individual or former homeless individual on the board of directors or other equivalent policymaking entity of such recipient (in accordance with regulations that the Secretary shall issue), to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding any facility or services assisted under this part, or to otherwise provide for the consultation and participation of such an individual in considering and making such policies and decisions; and

(11) to comply with such other terms and conditions as the Secretary may establish for purposes of carrying out the program established under this part in an effective and efficient manner.

The Secretary may waive the applicability of the requirement under paragraph (10) for an applicant that is unable to meet such requirement, if the applicant agrees to otherwise consult with homeless or formerly homeless individuals in considering and making such policies and decisions.