The Homeless Children and Youth Act (HCYA) aligns federal definitions of homelessness to ensure that all children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness can access the housing assistance they need. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) introduced HCYA in the Senate on May 7, 2025 (S.1667). Read the full bill text here.
The Homeless Children and Youth Act (S.1667) is needed to support family preservation and concrete supports for families with or at-risk of child welfare involvement. The Act will help families in poverty access basic resources through eligibility for homelessness assistance (through HUD) and it will help communities address local needs.
Federal Impact
- Children, youth, and families are less likely to experience street homelessness and more likely to experience hidden homelessness, which involves moving in and out of potentially dangerous situations, including staying with others or in cars.
- While they are considered to be experiencing homelessness by most federal agencies, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a different definition that does not allow those experiencing hidden homelessness to access—or even be assessed for—its housing programs and supportive services. So, unfortunately, many of the most vulnerable children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness are not able to get help from life-saving services in their own communities.
- HCYA will allow these youth and families to access the housing and supportive services they need by aligning federal definitions of homelessness by clarifying that if someone has been identified as experiencing homelessness by an eligible federal agency or program, then they can access homelessness assistance through HUD.
Local Impact
- HCYA ensures that young people and families are included in local homeless population counts, which exclude many individuals (not just children, youth, and families), including those who are experiencing hidden forms of homelessness. This helps communities better identify and serve children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
- HCYA gives communities flexibility in the use of their federal funding, so communities can target resources in a way that aligns with their local plan to prevent and end homelessness, and will not be constrained by federal mandates that may or may not be in line with what that community wants or needs.