Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act
Sponsored By: Representative LaHood
In Committee
Summary
Housing access for foster youth is the core change: the bill would expand who can get housing help and let states fund supportive services that help young people find and keep homes. It also pushes HUD and HHS to align guidance and report outcomes to Congress.
Show full summary
- Current and former foster youth: States could use funds to help youth age 18 and older access housing and provide supportive services like life skills training, rental-lease counseling, and help with security deposits and moving costs. States may also use funds for eligible youth under age 26 to support continued housing access.
- State and public housing agencies: The bill requires collaboration with public housing agencies that run HUD section 8(x)(2)(B) programs and changes a spending cap so it averages no more than 30% of a State's allotment over five fiscal years instead of measuring a single year.
- Federal oversight and data: HHS and HUD must issue joint guidance within 1 year with HHS naming a lead official, and within 3 years must report to Congress on how many eligible youth get federal housing aid, outcomes, and recommendations.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More housing help for foster youth
This bill would let States use certain foster-youth funds to pay for housing supportive services. If enacted, current and former foster youth age 18 or older who get HUD help under section 8(x) would be eligible, and States could serve youth who have not attained 26. Supportive services would include life skills and financial counseling, lease and rental insurance help, and one-time costs like security deposits, utility hookups, and moving fees. These services would not count as room and board, States would need to keep the five-year average share spent on the capped category at 30% or less, and the changes would take effect one year after enactment.
Stronger coordination and guidance for housing
This bill would require State child welfare agencies to work with public housing agencies that serve foster youth. If enacted, HHS and HUD would issue joint guidance within 1 year to align policies, explain how States can use funds for housing supportive services, and share best partnership practices. The bill would also require States to include "access to housing" in their program evaluations. HHS would name an official to lead development of the guidance.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
LaHood
IL • R
Cosponsors
Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4]
WI • D
Sponsored 2/9/2026
Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11]
NY • R
Sponsored 4/27/2026
Buchanan
FL • R
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Schweikert, David [R-AZ-1]
AZ • R
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 4/29/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov