Portman, Feinstein Bill Would Align HUD Definition of Homelessness to Better Meet Youth Needs

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act, a bill that would amend the definition of homelessness used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to verify eligibility for federal homeless assistance programs. In addition to Portman and Feinstein, the bill is cosponsored by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

By standardizing the definition across the government, children living in motels and staying with people other than their parents would be recognized by all federal agencies as homeless. This would make them eligible to receive assistance from programs like the Continuum of Care Program and facilitate cross-program collaboration.

"Homelessness makes a child more vulnerable to illness and to crime, including human trafficking," said Senator Portman. "The effects of homelessness on a child can last a lifetime. It is in all of our interests to ensure that vulnerable kids get a roof over their heads in a safe and stable environment. Our common-sense reforms will help do just that and make a difference in the lives of thousands of kids across our country."

"Federal agencies use different definitions of homelessness to determine who is eligible for benefits, causing widespread confusion that leads to an inability of our most vulnerable populations to receive assistance, especially when youth homelessness is involved," said Senator Feinstein. "Simply aligning the definition of homelessness used by federal agencies will remove significant barriers to obtaining critical assistance, while ensuring that homeless children can receive all the resources available to them. This is an easy fix that will have an outsized effect and I urge the Senate to consider it quickly."

Full text of the bill is available here.

Background:

The Homeless Children and Youth Act would ensure local nonprofits have the flexibility to use federal funds to employ housing strategies that best meet their communities' unique needs. For example, some communities have much higher rates of family homelessness than chronic homelessness among individuals. However, HUD has prioritized certain housing models, which restricts a community's eligibility for federal homeless assistance programs that do not necessarily address local needs.
The bill would also require local governments and nonprofits that receive HUD funding to connect homeless children and families to education, child care, mental health and employment services.

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