Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Senator Katie Britt
Introduced
Summary
Would expand who counts as homeless by expanding the legal definition of homelessness. It would also require public Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data and stronger coordination with schools and other federal programs.
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- Families, children, and youth: Would add domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, and other dangerous conditions to homelessness. It would raise a housing-share threshold from 14 days to 30 days and explicitly cover youths up to age 24 who cannot safely live with a parent or guardian.
- Local programs and funding: Would require HUD to treat people defined as homeless under the new rules as eligible for MVHAA programs and to give comparable priority to proposed services. It would limit bonuses or incentives that favor one subgroup unless local data and plans justify them.
- Data, counts, and reporting: Would make specified HMIS data publicly available at least annually with breakdowns by geography, age, disability, and duration. Communities would have to count all individuals identified by MVHAA or other federal statutes and HUD would submit an annual report to Congress.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Who counts as homeless
If enacted, the bill would expand who is treated as homeless for HUD programs. Shared housing would count for 30 days instead of 14 days. Youth up to age 24 who cannot safely live with a parent could be counted. Survivors of violence and young children with disabilities would be explicitly included. A program official could verify a child or youth as homeless and HUD would accept that verification.
Education help for homeless youth
If enacted, HUD grantees would need to work with schools, Head Start, child care, and colleges to find and help homeless children and youth. Grantees must name a staff person to enroll children and link families to services. Unaccompanied youth would be told they are independent for FAFSA and given verification for student aid.
Local control over HUD bonuses
If enacted, HUD would have to use public notice and comment to name activities that are "proven effective." HUD must favor locally proven strategies when giving bonuses or incentives. HUD could not use bonuses to set national priorities or favor one program model over another unless local data justify it. Anyone defined as homeless would be eligible without extra HUD action, and scoring would focus on local plans and cost-effectiveness.
Public HMIS data and reports
If enacted, communities would have to submit HMIS data to HUD at least once a year. HUD would publish that data on its website yearly, including total homeless counts, assistance patterns by area, counts by collaborative applicant, and details on homeless women by age, disability, and time homeless. HUD would also send Congress a yearly report with this data and an analysis of duplicate counts, due within four months after each fiscal year ends.
Age-appropriate assessment systems
If enacted, communities that run a coordinated assessment system would need age-appropriate rules for young children, school-age kids, unaccompanied youth 14–24, and families. The system must be accessible to youth and families and work with housing, schools, early childhood, and mental health partners. It must steer people to safe, age-appropriate options quickly.
Transportation help for participants
If enacted, HUD-funded programs could use funds to provide transportation. Rides could cover travel to jobs, early care and education, career training, and health or mental health care. Participants in HUD programs could get help with these trips.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Katie Britt
AL • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
MD • D
Sponsored 5/7/2025
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov