HR 207: House Study Committee on the Eradication of Homelessness; create

Homelessness in Georgia is described in this resolution as a complex problem tied to a lack of affordable housing, low wages, domestic violence, healthcare access, mental illness, and substance abuse. Rather than changing any law directly, this resolution sets up a temporary House committee to study the issue and propose solutions. The committee would have nine members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker, drawn from committees including Appropriations, Public Health, Higher Education, and Urban Affairs, among others. The chairperson would call meetings, and members would receive standard legislative allowances under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) for up to five days unless more are approved. Funding would come from the House of Representatives' existing budget. If the committee approves findings or recommendations by majority vote, it must file a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee is abolished on December 1, 2025.

• Creates a nine-member House Study Committee on the Eradication of Homelessness, with members appointed by the Speaker of the House from specific committees.
• Directs the committee to study the causes of homelessness in Georgia and recommend any legislation it finds necessary.
• Allows the chairperson to call and organize committee meetings as needed to carry out the study.
• Sets legislative allowances for committee members under existing state law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8), capped at five days unless additional days are approved.
• Requires any approved findings or recommendations to be filed as a report with the Clerk of the House before the committee's abolishment.
• Abolishes the committee automatically on December 1, 2025.

This resolution mainly affects the nine House members appointed to the study committee and House staff who support its work. It also indirectly concerns homeless individuals, families, service providers, and local governments across Georgia, since the committee's work could shape future legislation addressing homelessness.

The resolution does not change any law or fund any housing program directly. Its practical effect is to set up a formal, time-limited process for lawmakers to gather information and hear testimony on homelessness, which could lead to future legislation but creates no new rights, requirements, or services on its own.

• Paragraph 1 formally creates the House Study Committee on the Eradication of Homelessness.
• Paragraph 2 sets the committee's size at nine House members, one from each of eight named House committees plus one additional member, with the Speaker naming the chairperson.
• Paragraph 3 charges the committee with studying homelessness-related conditions and recommending action or legislation.
• Paragraph 5 ties member pay to existing legislative allowance law (O.C.G.A. § 28-1-8) and limits it to five days absent additional authorization, funded through the House's existing budget.
• Paragraph 6 requires any adopted findings or recommendations to be approved by majority vote of a quorum and filed with the Clerk of the House.
• Paragraph 7 abolishes the committee on December 1, 2025.

1. 2025-02-11House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-02-10House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-02-06House Hopper (House)

• Eric Bell (D, HD-075)Primary sponsor
• David Huddleston (R, HD-072)
• Mary Oliver (D, HD-084)
• Inga Willis (D, HD-055)
• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)

• homelessness
• affordable housing
• legislative study committee
• Georgia House of Representatives
• social services