Section 6-426 - Duties of Department. - Maryland Statutes

§ 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.]