Bill > S1667

This bill amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act to expand and clarify definitions of homelessness, improve support for homeless children, youth, and families, and enhance data reporting and transparency. The bill broadens the definition of homelessness to include more individuals, such as those temporarily staying with others for up to 30 days (instead of 14), and those experiencing or fleeing dangerous conditions like domestic violence or human trafficking. It requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to ensure that all individuals defined as homeless are eligible for assistance programs and receive equal priority. The bill mandates that grant applications prioritize local community needs and cost-effectiveness, and requires programs serving families and youth to designate staff to help children enroll in school and connect to community services. Additionally, the bill introduces new reporting requirements, including making Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) data publicly available annually, which will include counts of homeless individuals, assistance patterns, and demographic breakdowns. The legislation aims to provide more comprehensive and flexible support for homeless populations, with a particular focus on children, youth, and families.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1667/all-info