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Homelessness: Federal Personal Property Donations Provide Limited Benefit to the Homeless

RCED-91-108 Published: Jul 15, 1991. Publicly Released: Aug 16, 1991.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the availability of federal surplus personal property to homeless assistance providers, focusing on: (1) how extensively the donation program has assisted the homeless; (2) whether program features limit its effectiveness; and (3) whether program modifications could improve its effectiveness.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
If Congress believes that homelessness assistance providers should be given a higher priority in the surplus property donation program, Congress should allow homelessness assistance providers to receive property directly from federal distribution centers concurrently with service educational activities, in addition to receiving it from state agencies for surplus property as they now do.
Closed – Not Implemented
Legislators have not expressed an interest in or have any plans to pursue this issue.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
General Services Administration The Administrator of General Services should amend the regulations implementing the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to eliminate use restrictions on items with original acquisition costs below an appropriate amount. In determining this amount, the General Services Administration should weigh the government's need to prevent fraudulent use of donated items against the donees' need to minimize their administrative burden.
Closed – Not Implemented
GSA reports that the use requirement is not merely regulatory, but also is prescribed by statute.

Full Report

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Topics

Cost analysisDisadvantaged personsFederal aid programsFederal propertyFederal property managementHomelessnessIndigentsProperty disposalReporting requirementsSurplus federal property