“A bill to award grants to eligible entities to support the prevention of youth homelessness.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section defines 14 terms for purposes of the Act, including (1) "covered individual" as an individual ages 12 to 26 who is at risk of homelessness or of entering or transitioning out of foster care, the juvenile justice system, or a residential behavioral health system, or a child of such an individual; (2) "eligible entity" as a state agency, local government, local educational agency, Continuum of Care, Indian Tribe, Native Hawaiian organization, or entity eligible under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act; (3) "at-risk of homelessness" as more likely than not to imminently experience homelessness, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services based on research, data, and individual circumstances; and (4) "prevention of homelessness" as policies, practices, or interventions reducing the likelihood that a covered individual will imminently become homeless. The section cross-references existing definitions for other terms, such as "Continuum of Care" (24 C.F.R. §578.3), "homelessness" (McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and Runaway and Homeless Youth Act), "Indian Tribe" (25 U.S.C. §5304), "local educational agency" and "State educational agency" (20 U.S.C. §7801), "Native Hawaiian organization" (20 U.S.C. §7517), "rural area" (7 U.S.C. §950bb(b)), and "State" (i.e., any state, DC, or Puerto Rico).
This section establishes the Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Grant Program, under which the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) awards grants of $3 million to $7.5 million over five years to eligible entities to identify and implement strategies preventing homelessness for covered individuals (i.e., at-risk youth). HHS must consult specified federal agencies (e.g., Housing and Urban Development, Education) to ensure the program complements existing initiatives. Applications must include a coordinated community prevention plan assessing needs and outlining strategies, plus plans for cross-system partnerships (e.g., with child welfare agencies, Continuum of Care programs, juvenile courts). In awarding grants, HHS prioritizes established partnerships, geographic diversity, avoidance of duplication, and sustaining prior investments, including under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Prevention Demonstration Program (34 U.S.C. 11243); each year, HHS reserves at least 5% of funds for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations, 10% for rural-serving entities, and from the third year, 5% for section 4 grantees. Grantees must form a Youth Homelessness Prevention Council and use funds for primary prevention services (e.g., case management, behavioral health, job training, short-term housing, direct financial assistance) and cross-system collaboration improvements (e.g., comprehensive well-being service systems). (As background, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act authorizes HHS grants for research, demonstration, and services to assist runaway and homeless youth, with priorities including staff training on sexual abuse and trafficking response.)
This section establishes the Preventing Youth Homelessness Capacity Grant Program, under which the Secretary awards 18-month planning grants of $500,000 to $1,500,000 to eligible entities to assess the causes and extent of homelessness among covered individuals (i.e., youth at risk of homelessness), identify members for a Youth Homelessness Prevention Council under section 3(d)(2), and develop related tools, systems, and procedures to enable grant applications under section 3. In establishing the program, the Secretary must consult with specified federal agencies (e.g., HUD, Education, HHS) to ensure complementarity with existing homelessness prevention initiatives. Grant applications must include a coordinated community capacity-building plan detailing council member solicitation, planned collaborations (e.g., Continuums of Care, child welfare agencies, behavioral health providers), capacity gaps, measurement tools, and post-grant funding sources. Award decisions prioritize established partnerships, geographic diversity, avoidance of duplication, and post-grant sustainability; at least 5% of funds are reserved annually for Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian organizations and 5% for rural-serving entities. The federal share is 90% (waivable for financial need), and grantees must report on fund use and progress 18 months after award.
This section requires the Secretary to submit to congressional committees, not later than two years after beginning to award grants under the Act and annually thereafter, reports evaluating grant activities and outcomes in preventing homelessness for covered individuals, including a list of grants awarded with amounts, recipients, and purposes; and to make such reports publicly available online in an accessible, searchable format supporting disabilities and multiple languages. The section further authorizes the Secretary to enter contracts or other arrangements for program evaluation, data systems, and best practices dissemination; directs ongoing consultation with specified federal officials, organizations, researchers, stakeholders, and affected youth (and optionally parents or caregivers); requires technical support and assistance for grant recipients and applicants; and authorizes appropriations of such sums as necessary, to remain available until expended.
This section establishes nondiscrimination protections for programs or activities funded under this Act, prohibiting exclusion from participation, denial of benefits, or discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, or disability (expanding on protections under 42 U.S.C. 2000d, which cover only race, color, or national origin in federally assisted programs generally). The Secretary of HHS must enforce these protections through regulations and actions consistent with section 602 of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2000d-1), with judicial review available as provided in section 603 of that Act (42 U.S.C. 2000d-2). This section also authorizes $1 million for each of five fiscal years—beginning with the first fiscal year funds are appropriated under this Act and the next four fiscal years—to the HHS Office of Inspector General for audits and oversight of such funds (to remain available until expended).