H.R. 6403 — Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2025

This section amends definitions under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.) to broaden eligibility for homeless assistance programs, including by deeming as homeless children or youth verified as such under other federal programs (e.g., Higher Education Act of 1965) without further HUD action. In section 103(a), it revises paragraph (5)(A) to extend from 14 days to 30 days the minimum period individuals reside in shared housing or a hotel or motel paid for by a charitable organization; adds paragraph (6) for children or youth defined as homeless under other federal programs verified by a program director or designee; and in subsection (b), replaces the prior definition limited to those fleeing domestic violence etc. with one covering individuals experiencing or who have experienced domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or other dangerous or life-threatening conditions making housing unsafe or causing homelessness. It adds subsection (f) cross-referencing section 401 definitions and subsection (g) requiring HUD to ensure equal eligibility and priority for all persons defined homeless under subsections (a) or (b). In section 401, it inserts definitions of "(2) child or youth defined as homeless under any other Federal program" (i.e., homeless child or youth under section 725 including accompanying parent or guardian, or youth age 24 or younger lacking safe living arrangement with parent, guardian, or relative) and "(14) other Federal statute" (listing acts such as Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, Head Start Act, Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, Violence Against Women Act provisions, certain Public Health Service Act and Child Nutrition Act programs, Higher Education Act, and U.S. Housing Act); updates cross-references to "any provision of section 103"; strikes paragraph (7) and certain clauses; redesignates paragraphs; and inserts "children under 5 years of age, youth and young adults between 14 and 24 years of age" and "trafficking" in priority populations and victim services definitions (paragraphs (32)-(34), as redesignated). In section 402(f), it requires consolidated plans to consider prevalence and needs of homeless under any provision of section 103 and mandates annual submission of HMIS data to the Secretary. It also directs insertion of a new section after section 408.