U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE) on Aug. 7 introduced a bipartisan bill that would create a new $2 billion emergency funding stream to support America’s homeless population during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“As we work to restore and rebuild our communities,” Rep. Bacon said, “this legislation will help to stabilize youth and families during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevent entrenched adult homelessness.”
Rep. Bacon signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Emergency Family Stabilization Act, H.R. 7950, with bill sponsor U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY) to provide the emergency federal funds toward supporting youth, children and families experiencing homelessness due to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19.
“Our community-based organizations will be able to better serve the needs of youth and families experiencing homelessness with the flexible funding included in the Emergency Family Stabilization Act,” said Rep. Bacon.
If enacted, the measure would task the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with overseeing the funds.
Specifically, the Emergency Family Stabilization Act would ensure that local agencies now receiving ACF grants or those that have experience in serving children, families and unaccompanied youth experiencing homelessness would be eligible to receive funds, which could be used for a wide range of housing, health, education, employment, training, and safety-related needs, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bacon’s office.
The measure also would require that when awarding grants, ACF give special consideration to meeting the needs of pregnant women, pregnant and parenting youth, children under age six, children with disabilities, families experiencing domestic violence, survivors of sexual assault or human trafficking, LGBTQIA individuals, and racial and ethnic minority populations, according to the bill summary.
Set-aside funding for tribes and urban, rural, and suburban areas also would be prioritized under H.R. 7950, which is the companion bill to the same-named S. 3923, introduced in June by U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) in their chamber.