Public Housing Gateway Act of 1989

Public Housing Gateway Act of 1989 - Authorizes the Secretary of Labor (the Secretary) to make gateway program grants to public housing agencies to use public housing in the provision of employment training and services to economically disadvantaged public housing residents who are not more than 25 years of age.

Requires that such grants be made with the advice and participation of the Gateway Task Force established under this Act.

Requires public housing agencies to make the following training and services available to eligible individuals through the gateway program they must establish when they receive such a grant: (1) information on training, education, or services offered by the agency; (2) literacy training and bilingual training; (3) remedial education and training in basic skills (including communication skills, arithmetic, and problem-solving); (4) development of work habits and other personal management skills; and (5) free child care to facilitate participation in training and other services.

Specifies additional training and services which may be offered to eligible individuals who are qualified through literacy training, training in basic and employment skills, and support services.

Requires participants in gateway program training and services to be: (1) residents of public housing; (2) not more than 25 years of age; (3) economically disadvantaged; and (4) educationally disadvantaged.

Limits mandatory child care services to: (1) participants in gateway program training or services during participation; (2) unemployed former participants who have successfully completed the program, for a specified period; and (3) employed former participants who have successfully completed the program, for a specified period.

Permits support services to continue for up to 18 months to any individual after termination of participation in program training or services only if the individual has completed the training or services.

Requires public housing agencies receiving such grants to attempt to employ in the gateway programs qualified residents of the public housing project involved.

Prohibits consideration of earnings of and benefits to any individual resulting from participation in gateway training and services as income for public assistance or rent limitation purposes during specified periods of participation or post-participation employment.

Provides that the use of the facilities of a recipient public housing agency in the provision of gateway training or services shall have no effect on the amount of operating assistance to such agency under the United States Housing Act.

Establishes an interagency Gateway Task Force (the Task Force) to advise and assist the Secretary in carrying out this Act. Directs the Secretary to provide the Task Force with necessary information and facilities.

Directs the Secretaries of Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and Health and Human Services to each appoint members of the Task Force.

Terminates the Task Force five years after its first regularly called meeting.

Directs the Secretary to review at least annually compliance with this Act by public housing agencies receiving gateway program grants. Directs the Task Force to review gateway programs at least annually to determine their merits in enhancing the employability of public housing residents, and report its recommendations to the Secretary. Sets forth procedures for withholding grant payments in cases of agency noncompliance. Directs the Secretary to transmit to the President and the Congress: (1) annual reports on Task Force activities and recommendations; and (2) a final report, by the date of Task Force termination, on Task Force findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Authorizes appropriations for FY 1990.

 
HR 916 IH
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
 H. R. 916
To authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to public housing agencies
for the provision of literacy training, training in basic and employment
skills, and support services, and to establish the Gateway Task Force.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 7, 1989
Mr. STOKES (for himself, Mr. PICKETT, Mr. FRANK, Mr. MFUME, Mr. TRAXLER,
Mr. MATSUI, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. KENNEDY, Ms. OAKAR, Mr. FAUNTROY, Mr. MCHUGH,
Mrs. MORELLA, Mrs. JOHNSON of Connecticut, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. APPLEGATE,
Mr. ATKINS, Mr. BATES, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BEVILL, Mrs. BOXER, Mr. BUSTAMANTE,
Mr. CARDIN, Mrs. COLLINS, Mr. DE LUGO, Mr. DYMALLY, Mr. FOGLIETTA, Mr. GRAY,
Mr. CLAY, Mr. FLORIO, Mr. EDWARDS of California, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. FAZIO,
Mr. HAWKINS, and Mrs. BOGGS) introduced the following bill; which was
referred jointly to the Committees on Education and Labor and Banking,
Finance and Urban Affairs
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Labor to make grants to public housing agencies
for the provision of literacy training, training in basic and employment
skills, and support services, and to establish the Gateway Task Force.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  This Act may be cited as the `Public Housing Gateway Act of 1989'.
SEC. 2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE.
  The purpose of this Act is to establish programs, through public housing
  agencies, to increase the abilities and self-sufficiency of young residents
  of public housing, increase the prospects for employment of young residents
  of public housing, and end generational dependency on public assistance
  in public housing, through--
  (1) the provision of literacy training, training in basic and employment
  skills, and support services through the public housing agencies; and
  (2) the employment of residents of public housing and of professional staff
  to perform outreach services, including identification of and assistance
  to residents who could prosper from education and training programs.
SEC. 3. GRANT PROGRAM.
  (a) IN GENERAL- The Secretary of Labor may, with the advice and participation
  of the Gateway Task Force established in section 7, make grants under this
  Act to public housing agencies for the utilization of public housing in the
  provision of training and services to economically disadvantaged residents
  of public housing through gateway programs.
  (b) SELECTION OF GRANT RECIPIENTS- The Secretary shall select public
  housing agencies to receive grants under subsection (a) and may select
  only public housing agencies that meet the following requirements:
  (1) PROVISION OF FACILITIES- The public housing agency shall agree to make
  available suitable facilities in the public housing projects administered
  by the public housing agency, or any facilities provided by a State or
  local governmental agency or any private organization or person, for the
  provision of training and services under this Act.
  (2) NEED AND CAPABILITY TO PROVIDE SERVICES- The public housing agency
  shall demonstrate to the Secretary the need and ability to provide the
  training and services described in section 4(a) to individuals qualified
  to receive the training and services under section 5.
  (3) PROVISION OF SERVICES TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS- The public housing
  agency shall demonstrate to the Secretary that any training and services to
  be provided under this Act will be provided only to individuals qualified
  to receive the training and services under section 5.
  (4) PROVISION OF SERVICES TO YOUNG FAMILIES- The public housing agency shall
  demonstrate to the Secretary that the training and services to be provided
  under this Act will be provided to residents of public housing projects where
  a significant number of young families receiving public assistance reside.
  (5) COOPERATION WITH PRIVATE ENTITIES- The public housing agency shall
  demonstrate to the Secretary the ability to create cooperative working
  relationships with private entities that are to provide training and
  services under this Act and are located in the same community as the public
  housing agency.
  (c) APPLICATIONS FOR GRANTS- The Secretary shall prescribe the form and
  procedures for public housing agencies to make applications for grants
  under this section.
SEC. 4. GATEWAY PROGRAM ESTABLISHED UNDER GRANT PROGRAM.
  (a) MANDATORY TRAINING AND SERVICES- Any public housing agency that receives
  a grant under section 3 shall use the grant to establish a gateway program to
  make available to individuals eligible under section 5 all of the following
  training and services, subject to the limitations of section 5:
  (1) INFORMATION- The provision of information designed to make individuals
  aware of training, employment, education, or the provision of services
  offered by the public housing agency, including the training and services
  available under this Act.
  (2) LITERACY TRAINING- Literacy training and bilingual training.
  (3) BASIC SKILLS TRAINING- Remedial education and training in basic skills.
  (4) DEVELOPMENT OF WORK HABITS- Development of good work habits and other
  personal management skills to enable individuals to obtain and retain
  employment.
  (5) CHILD CARE- Child care services provided free of charge to facilitate
  the participation of individuals in other training and services provided
  under this section. The child care services shall be designed, to the extent
  practicable, to employ and train economically disadvantaged residents of
  the public housing project involved, and shall include--
  (A) services to provide daytime care for the child dependents who do not
  attend school and adult dependents of eligible individuals;
  (B) services to provide care after school hours for the child dependents
  of eligible individuals; and
  (C) irregular, periodic, and evening care for the child dependents of
  eligible individuals scheduled to allow the eligible individuals to
  participate in the training and services provided under this section.
  (b) PERMISSIVE TRAINING AND SERVICES- Public housing agencies that receive
  grants under section 3 may make available as part of their gateway programs
  to individuals qualified under section 5 literacy training, training in
  basic and employment skills, and support services, in addition to the
  training and services described in subsection (a) and subject to the
  limitations of section 5, including the following:
  (1) EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE- Assistance in acquiring employment.
  (2) EMPLOYMENT COUNSELING- Employment counseling and vocational exploration
  services.
  (3) DEVELOPMENT OF JOBS- Development of employment positions.
  (4) PRIVATE JOB TRAINING- The provision of training in occupations for
  which demand is increasing and training in the course of employment,
  by private employers or organizations.
  (5) OTHER FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT TRAINING OR SERVICES- Training or services
  coordinated with other Federal employment-related activities.
  (6) HIGH SCHOOL EDUCATION- Assistance in the attainment of certificates
  of high school equivalency.
  (7) COMPUTER SKILLS TRAINING- Training in computer skills for use in
  education, skills training, and employment preparation.
  (8) TRAINING IN APPLICATION OF SKILLS- Services to help individuals
  receiving training and educational assistance to utilize their acquired
  skills in the competitive employment market.
  (9) TRANSITIONAL ACTIVITIES- Activities designed to provide transition
  from education to employment.
  (10) SUPPORT SERVICES- Support services, including child care services in
  addition to the services described in subsection (a)(5) and transportation
  to training and services not held in public housing projects.
SEC. 5. LIMITATIONS ON GATEWAY PROGRAMS.
  (a) ELIGIBILITY IN GENERAL- Public housing agencies receiving grants under
  this Act shall limit participation in training and services provided under
  gateway programs to individuals who meet the following requirements:
  (1) RESIDENCY- The individual shall be a resident of public housing.
  (2) AGE- The individual shall be not more than 25 years of age.
  (3) ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE- The individual shall be economically
  disadvantaged.
  (4) EDUCATIONAL DISADVANTAGE- The individual shall--
  (A) have encountered barriers to employment because of a deficiency in a
  basic skill; or
  (B) if over 16 years of age or beyond the age of compulsory school attendance
  under State law, not have a certificate of graduation from a school providing
  secondary education and not have achieved an equivalent level of education.
  (b) LIMITATIONS ON CHILD CARE SERVICES-
  (1) ELIGIBILITY- Public housing agencies receiving grants under this Act
  shall limit the provision of child care services under section 4(a)(5)
  to the following individuals:
  (A) PARTICIPANTS UNDER GATEWAY PROGRAMS- Individuals who are participating
  in training or services under a gateway program (not including the provision
  of support services), during the participation of the individual in the
  training or services.
  (B) UNEMPLOYED FORMER PARTICIPANTS UNDER GATEWAY PROGRAMS- Individuals
  who have successfully completed participation in training or services
  under a gateway program (not including the provision of support services)
  and who are not employed, during a period in which the individual searches
  for employment after the completion of the training or services, as follows:
  (i) COMMENCEMENT- The period shall begin on the completion of the training
  or services by the individual.
  (ii) TERMINATION- The period shall end on whichever of the following
  occurs first:
  (I) The expiration of the 3-month period after the completion of the
  training or services by the individual.
  (II) The commencement of the employment of the individual in a position
  not funded by grants made under this Act.
  (C) EMPLOYED FORMER PARTICIPANTS UNDER GATEWAY PROGRAMS- Individuals who
  have successfully completed training or services under a gateway program
  (not including the provision of support services) and who are employed in
  a position not funded by grants made under this Act, during the 12-month
  period that begins with commencement of the employment of the individual.
  (2) COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND LOCAL LAWS- A public housing agency that
  provides child care services under this Act shall ensure that the child
  care complies with applicable State and local laws.
  (c) LIMITATIONS ON SUPPORT SERVICES- An individual may receive support
  services under this Act after the individual terminates any participation in
  training or services under a gateway program (not including the provision
  of support services) only if the individual has completed the training
  or services. An individual may not receive support services later than 18
  months after the completion of the training or services by the individual.
  (d) LIMITATION ON NONRESIDENT PERSONNEL- A public housing agency receiving
  a grant made under this Act shall attempt to employ in positions relating
  to the administration and delivery of training and services under gateway
  programs residents of the public housing project involved whenever qualified
  residents are available.
SEC. 6. EFFECT OF GATEWAY PROGRAMS.
  (a) NONCONSIDERATION AS INCOME FOR PARTICIPATING INDIVIDUALS- The earnings
  of and benefits to any individual resulting from participation in training
  and services under a gateway program shall not be considered as income
  for the purposes of determining eligibility for or the amount of public
  assistance or determining a limitation on the amount of rent paid by the
  individual during the following periods:
  (1) PERIOD OF PARTICIPATION UNDER GATEWAY PROGRAM- The period during which
  the individual participates in training or services under a gateway program
  (not including the provision of support services).
  (2) EMPLOYMENT PERIOD- If the individual participating in training or
  services under a gateway program (not including the provision of support
  services) successfully completes the training or services, a single period,
  not to exceed 18 months, as follows:
  (A) COMMENCEMENT- The period shall begin on the commencement of employment
  of the individual in the first position acquired by the individual after
  completion of the training or services that is not funded by a grant under
  this Act.
  (B) TERMINATION- The period shall end on whichever of the following
  occurs first:
  (i) The expiration of the 18-month period following the commencement of
  the period described in subparagraph (A).
  (ii) The individual ceases to continue employment without good cause,
  as the Secretary shall determine (with the advice of the Gateway Task Force).
  (b) PUBLIC HOUSING OPERATING ASSISTANCE- The use of the facilities of a
  public housing agency receiving a grant under this Act in the provision of
  training or services under a gateway program shall have no effect on the
  amount of assistance provided to the public housing agency under section
  9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g).
SEC. 7. TASK FORCE.
  (a) ESTABLISHMENT- There is established an interagency task force to be
  known as the `Gateway Task Force'.
  (b) PURPOSE- The Task Force shall advise and assist the Secretary in
  carrying out the responsibilities of the Secretary under this Act and
  shall carry out the functions of the Task Force under this Act.
  (c) INFORMATION AND FACILITIES- The Secretary shall provide the Task Force
  with the information and facilities necessary to carry out the purposes
  of the Task Force.
  (d) MEMBERSHIP- The Task Force shall be composed of 8 members as follows:
  (1) OFFICER OF DEPARTMENT OF LABOR- An individual, designated by the
  Secretary of Labor, who is an officer of the Department of Labor.
  (2) OTHER DESIGNEE OF SECRETARY OF LABOR- An individual, designated by
  the Secretary of Labor, who is not an officer or employee of the Federal
  Government and has demonstrated knowledge or experience in the provision of
  social services or has demonstrated concern for underprivileged individuals.
  (3) OFFICER OF DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT- An individual,
  designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, who is an
  officer of the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  (4) OTHER DESIGNEE OF SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT- An
  individual, designated by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development,
  who is not an officer or employee of the Federal Government and has
  demonstrated knowledge or experience in the provision of social services
  or has demonstrated concern for underprivileged individuals.
  (5) OFFICER OF DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION- An individual, designated by the
  Secretary of Education, who is an officer of the Department of Education.
  (6) OTHER DESIGNEE OF SECRETARY OF EDUCATION- An individual, designated by
  the Secretary of Education, who is not an officer or employee of the Federal
  Government and has demonstrated knowledge or experience in the provision of
  social services or has demonstrated concern for underprivileged individuals.
  (7) OFFICER OF DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES- An individual,
  designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is an officer
  of the Department of Health and Human Services.
  (8) OTHER DESIGNEE OF SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES- An individual,
  designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who is not an
  officer or employee of the Federal Government and has demonstrated knowledge
  or experience in the provision of social services or has demonstrated
  concern for underprivileged individuals.
  (e) TERMS- Members of the Task Force shall be appointed for the duration
  of the Task Force.
  (f) VACANCIES- A vacancy in the Task Force shall be filled in the manner
  in which the original appointment was made.
  (g) CONTINUATION OF MEMBERSHIP- If any member of the Task Force who was
  appointed to the Task Force as an officer of the Department of Labor, the
  Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Education,
  or the Department of Health and Human Services, leaves the department,
  or if any member of the Task Force who was appointed from persons who are
  not officers or employees of the Federal Government becomes an officer or
  employee of the Federal Government, the member may continue as a member
  of the Task Force for not longer than the 60-day period beginning on the
  date the member leaves the department or commences employment with the
  Federal Government, as the case may be.
  (h) COMPENSATION- Members of the Task Force shall receive no pay on account
  of their service on the Task Force, except that members shall be allowed
  travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same
  manner as persons employed intermittently in the Government service are
  allowed under section 5703 of title 5, United States Code.
  (i) CHAIRPERSON- The Chairperson of the Task Force shall be elected by
  receiving a vote of a majority of the members of the Task Force.
  (j) TERMINATION- The Task Force shall cease to exist 5 years after the
  date of the 1st regularly called meeting of the Task Force, not including
  an initial meeting called for organizational purposes.
SEC. 8. REVIEW AND SANCTIONS.
  (a) REVIEW-
  (1) SECRETARY- The Secretary shall review at least annually the compliance
  of the public housing agencies receiving grants under this Act with the
  provisions of this Act.
  (2) TASK FORCE- The Task Force shall review at least annually the gateway
  programs of public housing agencies receiving grants under this Act for
  the purpose of determining the merits of the various programs in enhancing
  the employability of residents of public housing, advising the Secretary
  regarding the determinations, and making recommendations regarding the
  grant program under section 4 and the various training and services under
  gateway programs.
  (b) SANCTIONS FOR NONCOMPLIANCE- Whenever the Secretary determines on
  the record after opportunity for a hearing that a public housing agency
  has failed to comply substantially with the provisions of this Act, the
  Secretary shall notify the public housing agency that no further grant
  payments will be made to the public housing agency under this Act until the
  public housing agency demonstrates, to the satisfaction of the Secretary,
  that the public housing agency will comply. Until the public housing agency
  demonstrates as required by this subsection, the Secretary may not make
  further grant payments to the public housing agency under this Act.
SEC. 9. REPORTS.
  (a) ANNUAL REPORTS- The Secretary shall transmit annually to the President
  and to each House of the Congress a report containing a detailed statement
  of the activities of the Task Force in the preceding 12 months and the
  recommendations of the Task Force for any action it considers appropriate.
  (b) FINAL REPORT- The Secretary shall transmit to the President and to
  each House of the Congress a report not later than the date of termination
  of the Task Force under section 7(i). The report shall contain a detailed
  statement of the findings and conclusions of the Task Force with regard to
  the activities of public housing agencies awarded grants under this Act
  and the recommendations of the Task Force for any action the Task Force
  considers appropriate.
SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.
  For purposes of this Act:
  (1) BASIC SKILLS- The term `basic skills' means the rudimentary skills
  necessary for an individual to function in daily living, including literacy,
  arithmetic skills, and problem-solving.
  (2) ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED- The term `economically disadvantaged' has
  the meaning given the term in section 4(8) of the Job Training Partnership
  Act (29 U.S.C. 1503(8)).
  (3) GATEWAY PROGRAM- The term `gateway program' means a program for the
  provision of training and services described in section 4 established by
  a public housing agency under a grant made by the Secretary under this Act.
  (4) LITERACY- The term `literacy' means the knowledge and skills necessary
  to communicate, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening normally
  associated with the ability to function at a level greater than the 8th
  grade level.
  (5) OFFICER- The term `officer' has the meaning given the term in section
  2104 of title 5, United States Code.
  (6) PUBLIC ASSISTANCE- The term `public assistance' means cash payments,
  credits, or other assistance or benefits provided to individuals or families
  under Federal law.
  (7) PUBLIC HOUSING- The term `public housing' has the meaning given the
  term in section 3(b)(1) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42
  U.S.C. 1437a(b)(1)).
  (8) PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY- The term `public housing agency' has the meaning
  given the term in section 3(b)(6) of the United States Housing Act of 1937
  (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b)(6)).
  (9) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Labor.
  (10) SUPPORT SERVICES- The term `support services' means services to
  facilitate the participation of residents of public housing in training
  and services under gateway programs. The term includes child care services
  under section 4(a)(5) and services under section 4(b)(10).
  (11) TASK FORCE- The term `Task Force' means the Gateway Task Force
  established in section 7.
SEC. 11. REGULATIONS.
  The Secretary shall issue any regulations necessary to carry out this Act.
SEC. 12. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $50,000,000
  for fiscal year 1990. Any amount appropriated under this section shall
  remain available until expended.