Washington, DC –– Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act, alongside Rep. Van Taylor (TX-03). This bipartisan legislation makes a common sense fix to align the definition of homelessness across federal agencies. Doing so will improve access to services and assistance for children, youth, and families in NJ-11, and make it easier for communities and organizations to pursue proven strategies that reduce homelessness.
"Every child deserves a safe and consistent place to call home. Without one, housing insecurity can take a terrible toll on a child's emotional and educational development," said Rep. Sherrill. "Currently, federal policy continues to place barriers that impede children and families from accessing assistance and support that could help lift them out of homelessness. By aligning the definitions of homelessness across federal agencies, the legislation we're introducing today would ensure that communities have the flexibility to determine how to best provide for those who are most in need. I've heard the concerns raised by communities and housing advocates in Morris County and across NJ-11, and I am proud to be introducing this bill to address them."
"Due to inconsistencies in bureaucracy, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) definition of ‘homeless' leaves many vulnerable children and youth invisible to housing assistance and left defenseless to the dangers of living on the streets," said Rep. Taylor. "The Homeless Children and Youth Act aligns federal definitions of homeless to provide communities the ability to assess the needs of children and youth who have been largely overlooked."
Childhood and youth homelessness was an epidemic in America even before the pandemic swept through and exacerbated it. Preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Education indicate that public schools identified over 1.5 million homeless children and youth in the 2017-2018 school year, a ten percent increase over the previous school year, and the highest number on record.
Over eighty-percent of these students fall between the gaps of federal definitions of homelessness: they are considered homeless by public schools, early childhood programs, institutions of higher education, and child care, but not by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a result, these children and their families, as well as youth who are homeless on their own, are not eligible to be assessed for HUD homeless assistance – no matter how vulnerable they are.
The Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2021 amends the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definitions for homeless individuals and homeless children or youth to align HUD definitions with other federal assistance programs. These amendments will increase access to federal homeless programs by homeless children, youth, and families.
The legislation is supported by over fifty national organizations, including those that represent frontline providers who work with these children and youth every day, as well as hundreds of state and local organizations.
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