Housing (Homelessness) in United States

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 24, 2026

S 4903: A bill to improve the point-in-time count conducted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to improve how it counts homeless individuals across the country. It mandates that local organizations conduct an annual count during the last ten days of April using standardized data systems, while also allowing optional counts at other times of the year. The legislation provides training and technical support for rural areas to help them collect accurate data and submit regular reports to Congress. Additionally, it requires organizations to update their data year-round and collect mid-year information to better track trends and plan services. A Government Accountability Office study will be conducted within a year of the bill's enactment to review the new counting methods and suggest further improvements.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 23, 2026

S 4854: Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act

The Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act aims to improve housing stability for current and former foster youth by expanding their access to federal housing assistance and supportive services. It amends existing laws to allow states to use funding for services such as financial literacy counseling, help with lease contracts, and assistance with security deposits and moving costs. The bill also clarifies that these supportive services do not count toward spending limits on room and board, enabling more funds to be used for housing support. Additionally, it requires the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development to create joint guidance within a year to better coordinate programs for youth aging out of foster care. Finally, the act mandates a report to Congress within three years detailing how many eligible youth are receiving housing aid and the outcomes of these programs.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Tenant Rights

in committee · United States · Senate Jun 22, 2026

S 4847: Summer for All Act

The Summer for All Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide competitive grants to organizations and state agencies for creating affordable, high-quality summer programs for youth aged 5 to 22. These grants prioritize serving low-income, rural, and underserved populations, including English learners, students with disabilities, and those experiencing homelessness, by offering free programming that includes academic enrichment, health activities, and social support. The legislation allocates $4 billion over four years, with the majority of funds designated for direct community programs and a smaller portion for state-level planning to expand access and improve program quality. Recipients must use the funds to provide safe, supervised environments during the summer months and are required to submit annual reports detailing how the money was spent and how many youth were served.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 9303: BLANKET Act

The BLANKET Act creates a new federal grant program to help states and local governments expand emergency shelter capacity during severe weather events like heat waves, cold snaps, and storms. This initiative directly affects people experiencing homelessness by providing funding for temporary warming and cooling centers, hotel vouchers, and essential supplies such as generators and medical equipment. To receive these funds, eligible entities must submit applications detailing their specific needs and plans for coordinating with local emergency services, with $750 million authorized for each fiscal year from 2027 to 2029. The legislation also requires a report to Congress five years after enactment to evaluate the program's effectiveness in reducing harm and strain on medical services.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness

in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9072: HOME for Foster Youth Act

The HOME for Foster Youth Act expands housing assistance eligibility for former foster youth by increasing the time limit to receive support from 90 days to 180 days after leaving care. It also clarifies that funds from Education and Training Vouchers are not counted as income when determining eligibility for rental assistance. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Health and Human Services to coordinate efforts to modernize programs and improve access to housing and supportive services for this population.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development Renters Tags Children

in committee · United States · House Jun 5, 2026

HR 9170: Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027

This bill provides funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for fiscal year 2027. It allocates money to support transportation infrastructure projects, including grants for highways, airports, rail systems, and transit, as well as funding for aviation safety and maritime security. The legislation also directs resources to housing programs such as tenant-based rental assistance, public housing operations, and grants for community development and homeless assistance. Additionally, the bill includes provisions for administrative expenses, cybersecurity initiatives, and specific restrictions on how funds can be used across these departments.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Housing ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Appropriations Community Development Homelessness Mortgages Airports Ports Roads & Highways

in committee · United States · House May 21, 2026

HR 8985: Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026

The Housing for All Veterans Act of 2026 creates a new rental assistance program specifically for low-income veterans and their families. It allows these households to apply for housing vouchers through existing public housing agencies, with eligibility criteria gradually expanding from extremely low-income in 2027 to broader low-income definitions by 2031. Key provisions include counting VA disability benefits as non-income, prohibiting discrimination against voucher holders, and providing service fees to agencies to help veterans secure leases. The bill also ensures that current veterans receiving support are not affected by the new rules and that the program supplements, rather than replaces, existing housing aid.

Topics ✓ Housing ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Homelessness Homeownership Renters Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · United States · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 8452: Restoring Law and Order on America’s Streets Act

This bill expands federal civil commitment laws to allow the long-term detention of individuals deemed a danger to public safety, specifically targeting those with serious mental illnesses who engage in certain behaviors. It directly affects homeless individuals with mental health conditions by requiring officials to evaluate them for involuntary commitment if they commit crimes like burglary, drug distribution in public, or prolonged outdoor living. The legislation defines "urban camping" and "urban squatting" as specific offenses that, when combined with a serious mental illness, can lead to mandatory certification for continued confinement. By amending existing statutes, the act aims to address public safety concerns related to mental illness and homelessness through a legal framework that prioritizes institutionalization over other forms of care or release.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Healthcare ✗ Housing

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

in committee · United States · House May 19, 2026

HR 8886: SMART Community Policing Act

The SMART Community Policing Act expands federal funding for community policing programs to help law enforcement better assist individuals facing mental health crises, homelessness, or substance use disorders. It authorizes the use of COPS funds to create mobile crisis teams staffed with mental health professionals and paramedics, as well as co-responder programs that pair officers with behavioral health clinicians to de-escalate volatile situations. Additionally, the bill supports hiring case management teams to connect people with needed services and help them adhere to treatment plans, aiming to reduce repeated interactions with emergency responders.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Mental Health Homelessness

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 27, 2026

S 4388: Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026

The Housing Survivors of Major Disasters Act of 2026 expands disaster relief assistance to individuals who lived in disaster areas but lacked formal proof of ownership or were not renting, including those who were homeless or stayed in temporary accommodations. It allows these eligible households to use federal funds to pay for obtaining property titles, such as costs for land surveys and associated taxes, by accepting a wide range of documents like utility bills, driver's licenses, and school records as evidence of their connection to the property. The bill also requires FEMA to create a simple, non-notarized form for applicants to self-certify their eligibility and mandates that the agency consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate temporary rental assistance programs for displaced residents. Additionally, the legislation amends existing disaster housing rules to focus on ensuring residences are habitable during long-term recovery and permits temporary housing if the President deems it a cost-effective alternative to other solutions.

Topics ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Homelessness Property Development Tenant Rights Tags Emergency Management

All housing bills