U.S. Reps. Steve Stivers (R-OH) and Dave Loebsack (D-IA) introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act on Tuesday, legislation that would improve resources for serving these children.
“No child should ever be without a home, let alone be forced to navigate bureaucratic red tape just to prove that they are actually homeless,” Stivers said. “My bill would streamline the definition of ‘homeless’ to enable us to fully understand the problem, so that as a society we can get them the help they need.”
The U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department’s (HUD) acknowledgement and definition of a homeless youth does not necessarily match that of other agencies that track the issue. The proposed bill would streamline HUD’s homeless category definition so that it would include all children and youth who may be already verified as homeless by another federal educational or social services programs. This means that these children and youth would immediately become eligible for assistance.
“As someone who was raised in poverty by a single mother who struggled with mental illness, I know first-hand how community support can help make a difference in people’s lives,” Loebsack added. “In order for our children to excel, especially those who are homeless or have nowhere to go, we must make it easier on them to access homeless assistance programs. The Homeless Children and Youth Act will help communities best provide for those who are most in need.”
The Homeless Children and Youth Act is receiving support from many children’s service agencies, including First Focus, the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth, the National Parent Teacher Association, the National Network for Youth, the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, and the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare.
A companion bill is being presented in the Senate by Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Diane Feinstein (D-CA).