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WASHINGTON - Some U.S. Senators are pointing to D.C. as an example of how they think the country should fight homelessness and are pushing legislation that takes a similar approach in tackling the issue.

The legislation is call the HEARTH Act or the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act. It consolidates three Department of Housing programs and provides less support for overnight shelters and more for temporary supportive housing.

"Only throwing money at the problem will not solve homelessness," said Sen. Kit Bond, (R) Missouri.

Sens. Bond and Jack Reed from Rhode Island are co-sponsors of the HEARTH Act. They say Americans face a huge crisis in housing.

"But maybe with help they can make it through this crisis and stay in their home," said Sen. Reed.

The legislation provides $2.2 billion worth of targeted homeless grant programs across the country - an increase of $600 million.

"But we're right up against that cap where without any more money we won't be able to provide any more homes," said D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty.

Fenty says D.C. is home to about 1,500 chronically homeless individuals. "It's our plan and mission to find housing for each and every one of them. Over the past year we've secured over 600 new homes."

Cheryl Barnes was homeless for 30 years. Instead of emergency shelters, she says temporary supportive housing is housing the homeless can be proud of.

"Because once we leave the shelters, we're no longer shelter folks, we're residents," said Barnes.

The legislation would also expand the definition of homelessness to include families on the verge of becoming homeless. It would also consolidate three competing programs within the Department of Housing.

"It will cut down on paperwork, make applications simpler to do and make it easier to plan programs for what the needs of communities are," said Steve Berg, National Alliance to End Homelessness vice president.

The HEARTH Act was introduced as an amendment to another housing bill in the Senate. It was passed by a voice vote. A similar version has already passed through the House, so now the legislation goes into conference committee in the next few weeks.

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