Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Humanitarian Emergency Localized Partnerships for Interior Cities Act” or the “HELP for Interior Cities Act” .
Humanitarian Emergency Localized Partnerships for Interior Cities Act
A BILL
To authorize additional funds for the Shelter and Services Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and for other purposes.
Sec. 2 Requirements for operation of Shelter and Services program
Prioritization for hospitals, clinics, and community health centers— Of the amount appropriated or otherwise made available for payments under the Shelter and Services Program under this Act, not less than 20 percent shall be prioritized for hospitals, clinics, and community health centers.
Prioritization of interior cities— In carrying out the Program, the Director shall—
assess the amount of funding provided to interior cities as compared to border cities;
compile a list of interior cities that have not received as much funding under the Program as border cities with a similar size and population; and
prioritize consideration of providing funding authorized under this Act to such interior cities.
Sec. 3 Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the Program $1,400,000,000, to remain available until expended.
Sec. 4 Definitions
In this Act, the following definitions apply:
Border city— The term “border city” means a city that lies along a border of the United States.
Director— The term “Director” means the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Shelter and Services Program; Program— The term “Shelter and Services Program” or “Program” means the program operated by the Director to provide funds to nonfederal entities that provide shelter and other eligible services to migrants encountered by and released from the custody of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as funding to increase their temporary shelter capacity, for which funds were transferred from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2023 (division F of Public Law 117–328).