Rep. Susie Lee Helps Advance Bipartisan Bill to Support Nevada Homeless Youth

Statement

House Committee on Education and Labor member U.S. Rep. Susie Lee (Nev.-03) joined her committee colleagues yesterday in passing through committee the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2019 (H.R. 5191)--a bipartisan proposal to reauthorize the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act of 1974 and empower states to strengthen and expand services for young people living through homelessness.

"I can't think of a more tragic situation than a child without a bed to sleep in," said Rep. Lee. "Whether the cause is neglect, trauma, disability, or discrimination, especially LGBTQ+ youth, we must provide comprehensive services to help them rebuild their lives. We cannot afford to waste their futures.

"I started my career in Nevada running the state's first comprehensive homeless crisis intervention center," Rep. Lee continued. "I saw first-hand how important comprehensive services are to help get families and youth into permanent housing. The bill will help communities like Clark County, which has seen a 40 percent increase in unaccompanied homeless minors from 2018 to 2019. We must act now."

BACKGROUND: In addition to reauthorizing funding for federal youth homelessness programs, the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2019:

Puts a greater focus on trauma-informed services;
Prioritizes reaching vulnerable homeless youth living in the streets, including those who have experienced human trafficking; and,
Ensures that federal programs for homeless youth do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability.

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