Expiring Public Health Emergency

By Shawn Liu, National Homeless Program Manager, Homeless Programs Office

March 2, 2023

The national emergency and public health emergency declarations related to the COVID-19 pandemic expired at the end of the day on May 11, 2023.

These emergency declarations have been in place since January 31, 2020, and gave the federal government flexibility to waive or modify certain requirements in a range of areas. Additionally, Congress also enacted legislation—including the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136), the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (P.L. 116-315), and the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act (P.L.117-2)—which provided additional flexibilities tied to one or more of these emergency declarations. As such, they are also scheduled to expire when the emergency period expires.

These are specific authorities and flexibilities impacting homeless and at-risk Veterans that expired after May 11, 2023:

Removal of the limits to assistance provided through Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) as outlined in the SSVF COVID-19 Consolidated Program Guidance.

• Flexible assistance authorized by section 4201(a) P.L. 116-315.
• The national rideshare program authorized by section 4201(a) of P.L. 116-315.
• Increases to the maximum rate of per diem payments and other temporary waivers as part of the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem Program authorized by sections 20013 of P.L. 116-136; Division J, Title V, sec. 516 of P.L. 116-260; and 4201(b) of P.L. 116-315.