---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 11346"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "11346"
heading: "Program guidelines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/11346"
units:
  - "Chapter 119 — Homeless Assistance"
  - "Subchapter III — Federal Emergency Management Food and Shelter Program"
  - "Part B — Emergency Food and Shelter Grants"
---

# §11346. Program guidelines

- (a) **Guidelines—** The National Board shall establish written guidelines for carrying out the program under this part, including—
  - (1) methods for identifying [localities](/usc/42/11371.md?p=2) with the highest need for emergency food and shelter assistance;
  - (2) methods for determining the amount and distribution to such [localities](/usc/42/11371.md?p=2);
  - (3) eligible program costs, including maximum flexibility in meeting currently existing needs;
  - (4) guidelines specifying the responsibilities and reporting requirements of the National Board, its [recipients](/usc/42/11371.md?p=6), and service providers;
  - (5) guidelines requiring each [private nonprofit organization](/usc/42/11371.md?p=5) and [local government](/usc/42/11371.md?p=1) carrying out a local emergency food and shelter program with amounts provided under this part, to the maximum extent practicable, to involve [homeless individuals](/usc/42/11302.md?p=a) and families, through employment, volunteer services, or otherwise, in providing emergency food and shelter and in otherwise carrying out the local program; and
  - (6) guidelines requiring each [private nonprofit organization](/usc/42/11371.md?p=5) and [local government](/usc/42/11371.md?p=1) carrying out a local emergency food and shelter program with amounts provided under this part to provide for the participation of not less than 1 [homeless individual](/usc/42/11302.md?p=a) or former [homeless individual](/usc/42/11302.md?p=a) on the board of [directors](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) or other equivalent policy making entity of the organization or governmental [agency](/usc/42/11317.md?p=2) to the extent that such entity considers and makes policies and decisions regarding the local program of the organization or [locality](/usc/42/11371.md?p=2); except that such guidelines may grant waivers to applicants unable to meet such requirement if the organization or government agrees to otherwise consult with [homeless](/usc/42/11302.md?p=a) or formerly [homeless individuals](/usc/42/11302.md?p=a) in considering and making such policies and decisions.
- (b) **Publication—** Guidelines established under [subsection (a)](#a) shall be published annually, and whenever modified, in the Federal Register. The National Board shall not be subject to the procedural rulemaking requirements of subchapter II of chapter 5 of title 5.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–77, title III, § 316, July 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 493; Pub. L. 102–550, title XIV, § 1432, Oct. 28, 1992, 106 Stat. 4043.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1992—Subsec. (a)(5), (6). Pub. L. 102–550 added pars. (5) and (6).