§ 74-2900.1. Definitions - Cooperation of state housing agencies with federal government - Leasing of vacant housing units.

A.  As used in the Oklahoma Homeless Prevention Act:

1.  "Comprehensive case management" means:

a.the assessment of the needs of an individual or family,

b.the development and implementation of an employability plan for the individual that accounts for family circumstances,

c.the coordination and monitoring of service delivery,

d.the evaluation of service effectiveness, and

e.the reassessment of the needs of the individual or the family.

2.  "Homeless individual or family" means any person or family who:

a.lacks a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence, or

b.has as a primary nighttime residence a publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations, or

c.has as a primary nighttime residence a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.  The term includes those families and persons who do not have access to normal accommodations as a result of violence or the threat of violence from a cohabitant, or

d.is in imminent danger of becoming homeless.

3.  "Mentally ill person" means a mentally ill person as defined by Section 1-103 of Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes.

4.  "Self-sufficiency program" means a job opportunity and basic skills training program designed to ensure that persons receiving housing assistance obtain the education, training, and employment that will help such persons avoid long-term dependency on such assistance.

5.  "Committee" means the Oklahoma Homeless Prevention Committee, created in Section 2 of this act.

B.  The Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency and any state agency with housing services may cooperate with federal government programs or any other public or private entity or person in providing housing or assistance for housing to homeless individuals or families, and mentally ill persons who are in need of housing.

C.  As funds are available, all state agencies specified in this section and any other state agency with housing services, in accordance with state and federal law, may provide resources to local government agencies, local housing authorities or nonprofit agencies to lease vacant housing units which are subject to government control or which have been donated by any public or private entity for use by homeless individuals or families and mentally ill persons who are in need of housing.  Funds available pursuant to this section shall be used to guarantee coverage of utility costs, repairs, insurance, and building and yard maintenance of leased properties.  Homes which have been temporarily donated by private entities shall not be eligible for any monies so received for repairs to such homes.

D.  Any agreement entered into pursuant to this section between a state agency and a local public or private nonprofit agency or housing authority shall require the local agency or authority to supervise the person to be served and secure an enforceable agreement requiring the person to be served to maintain the leased property.  A violation of this agreement may result in termination of the agreement and eviction from such leased property pursuant to Section 132 of Title 41 of the Oklahoma Statutes.

E.  In accordance with state and federal law, state agencies specified in this section and any other state agency with housing services may solicit government funds and grants, seek private resources, and receive and distribute private, state and federal funds to local public or private nonprofit agencies or housing authorities to provide housing or assistance for housing or housing services as provided for in this section.  The local agency or authority may require the person residing in the leased property to participate in the payment of utilities, repair and maintenance to the extent possible.

F.  The State of Oklahoma, or any agency or subdivision thereof, shall not be liable for utility costs, repairs, insurance, building or yard maintenance, or other costs associated with any house to which this section pertains, in excess of the amount specifically appropriated therefore, allocated thereto by the agency or subdivision, and not encumbered for any other purpose.

Added by Laws 1989, c. 307, § 1, emerg. eff. May 25, 1989.  Amended by Laws 1990, c. 129, § 2, emerg. eff. April 25, 1990; Laws 1990, c. 337, § 25; Laws 1994, c. 230, § 1, eff. July 1, 1994.

Note

NOTE:  Laws 1990, c. 51, § 144 repealed by Laws 1990, c. 337, § 26.