The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended in 1992 by Public Law
102-550, authorized the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) to make grants to applicants to demonstrate the desirability and feasibility
of providing very low cost housing, to be known as safe havens, to homeless persons
who, at the time, are unwilling or unable to participate in mental health treatment
programs or to receive other supportive services. The law provides exceptions to two
SSI provisions for demonstration project participants:
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ineligibility due to residence in a public institution, and
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chargeable in-kind support and maintenance (ISM).
In May 1994, HUD announced the availability of grant funds for safe havens projects,
and expects some sites to be operational early in 1995. When SSA, Central Office,
is notified by HUD of where the demonstration project sites will be located, field
offices will be provided with that information to assist them in identifying participants.