The Homeless Children and Youth Act

The Homeless Children and Youth Act (HCYA) would remove the barriers that too many homeless children and youth face in receiving homeless assistance. There are two introductions by Senate Bill and House Resolution to address the plight of millions of children in America. 

The House Financial Services Committee held a hearing on homelessness in America. During this hearing, both representatives and witnesses highlighted the specific need for flexibility in HUD programs to serve homeless families and youth who are often invisible in their communities and face many barriers to receiving homeless assistance.  

Fathers and Families Coalition of America is sharing information provided by First Focus. They are championing awareness of the  Homeless Children and Youth Act (H.R. 1511), which would allow some of the most vulnerable homeless children and youth to be eligible for services needed to support their healthy development. Moreover, H.R. 1511  aligned with bipartisan legislation with the  S.611 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2017

Learn more about HCYA from both   S.611 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2017 and Homeless Children and Youth Act (H.R. 1511),

1. Some key points:
   1.3 million students were identified as homeless by the U.S. Department of Education, which is a 100% increase since 2006. Due to a narrower definition of homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development numbers show overall homelessness has declined from 2007-2016.
2. Homelessness is both a symptom and cause of trauma for children and families. The experience of homelessness in any form is traumatic for a child.
3. Homeless families with children and unaccompanied youth stay wherever they can and are often forced to move frequently between living situations, which may include motels or living with others temporarily. 
4. In many regions, there is no family or youth shelter in a community, shelters are full, or shelter policies exclude them. These situations are often precarious and unsafe but yet are often not recognized as homelessness by HUD.
5. The Homeless Children and Youth Act would change this – it would align HUD homeless assistance eligibility criteria with other child and youth-serving systems, so homeless children and youth don't face barriers to receiving homeless assistance.
6. The Homeless Children and Youth Act would increase the visibility of homeless children and youth by restoring local decision-making so that communities can identify less visible homeless families and youth and work with other systems to connect children and youth with developmentally appropriate services.

Please join us to edify and share the House Financial Services Committee and other lawmakers to support the Homeless Children and Youth Act. Together we can make a difference homeless children, youth, and families across the country