Bill expands federal homelessness definition for youth and families
In committeeH.R. 6403Latest action
Sponsor: Michael Lawler · Representative · NY
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2025
119th Congress
Topics: Housing
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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HR 6403 widens who counts as "homeless" so more children, youth, and families can access federal housing help without extra paperwork.
60-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
This bill expands the federal definition of homelessness so that people already recognized as homeless under other government programs automatically qualify for housing assistance. It also gives local communities more control over which homeless groups to prioritize with federal grant money, and bars the federal government from favoring one type of housing program or group without local data to back it up. Programs serving homeless families and youth would be required to connect children to schools, childcare, and other services, and unaccompanied young people would have to be told about their rights when applying for college financial aid.
Who does it affect?
The bill focuses on children, youth under 24 who cannot safely live with family, children with disabilities, and people fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking. Local communities, schools, childcare programs, and domestic violence services are also directly affected.
Why does it matter?
Without this change, people already recognized as homeless under some federal programs still have to go through extra steps to qualify for housing help, which can delay or block their access. The bill also requires that homelessness data on women, children, and families be published online and reported to Congress each year, making that information more visible to the public.
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Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedDec 3, 2025
- House committeeYou are here · Dec 3, 2025
- House vote
- Senate
- The president's desk
Right now: a House committee is reviewing it. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — 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.