H.R. 6403: Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2025
This bill, known as the Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2025, aims to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to better address the needs of homeless children, youth, and families. Key provisions of the bill include:
Definitions Update
The bill proposes changes to how "homeless" is defined, allowing for a broader understanding that includes children and youth who are verified as homeless under various Federal programs without needing additional approval from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It also clarifies that individuals experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking are recognized as homeless if those situations make it unsafe for them to remain in their current housing.
Homeless Individuals' Eligibility
It establishes a rule that individuals identified as homeless under the amended definitions will be eligible for programs and services under the Act. Additionally, it mandates that funding applications do not unfairly prioritize certain homeless populations over others, ensuring equitable access to resources.
Data Availability and Reporting
The bill mandates that data from community-wide Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) be made publicly available on HUD’s website annually. This data should include cumulative counts of homeless individuals and families, the patterns of assistance provided, and specific counts of homeless individuals, particularly women and those with additional needs such as a history of domestic violence or disabilities.
Grants and Local Needs Assessment
In granting and funding processes, the Secretary of HUD must ensure that local needs are assessed before decisions are made. Programs providing housing or services to families and youth must designate a staff member to ensure children are enrolled in educational programs and connected to support services.
Community Collaboration and Program Efficiency
The legislation encourages collaboration among community agencies such as local educational institutions and health services to mitigate homelessness. It also seeks to promote innovation in local initiatives that effectively address homelessness, encouraging programs that demonstrate cost-effectiveness and meet the unique needs identified within their communities.
Annual Reporting to Congress
The Secretary must submit an annual report to Congress summarizing the activities undertaken under this Act, including data collected, findings, and any recommendations to improve services for the homeless population.
Technical Amendments
The bill will make various technical amendments to existing law for clarity and alignment with the new provisions introduced, ensuring that all references are updated accordingly.
Relevant Companies
- MA - Mastercard Incorporated: Changes in funding for housing services may affect organizations involved in payment processing for housing or social services.
- V - Visa Inc.: Similar to Mastercard, Visa may see impacts regarding financial transactions related to housing assistance services.
This is an AI-generated summary of the bill text. There may be mistakes.
Sponsors
6 bill sponsors
Actions
2 actions
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| Dec. 03, 2025 | Introduced in House |
| Dec. 03, 2025 | Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned. |
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