Housing (Children)

The Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act requires states to ensure that children are not separated from their parents solely because of poverty. It mandates that states develop or improve services, such as housing and unemployment assistance, to help low-income families stay together safely. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report within two years detailing how poverty influences child welfare investigations, removals, and foster care placements. This legislation aims to prevent the separation of families due to financial hardship and to gather data on the link between poverty and child neglect cases.

The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act amends federal law to require states to include legal counseling services for foster youth and to certify that their care plans address specific legal issues like housing, education, and family connections. This legislation directly affects the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program by updating how states must plan for the transition of foster youth into adulthood. The bill takes effect one year after enactment, with a provision allowing a delay if a state needs time to pass new laws to meet these updated requirements.

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.

The Increasing Access to Foster Care Through Age 21 Act expands federal support for youth in foster care, allowing them to remain eligible for services until age 22 instead of the current age 21. This change directly affects young people who are aging out of the system by extending their access to financial assistance, housing, and other welfare benefits. The bill also permits states to let youth voluntarily re-enter foster care if they leave before turning 22, ensuring they can still receive support if needed. Additionally, the legislation requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide guidance to states on how to connect these youth with workforce development programs.

The Informed Foster Youth Act of 2026 requires states to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with free access to their health and education records, birth certificates, Social Security cards, and credit reports at the time of each placement or at least once every 12 months. The bill also mandates that these young people receive personalized transition plans covering housing, healthcare, education, and employment, along with information on how to enroll in medical assistance and designate a healthcare decision-maker. Additionally, the law requires caseworkers to inform youth about available services during meetings and hearings, and it establishes a formal list of rights for foster youth that must be explained to them annually with a signed acknowledgment. These changes aim to ensure that older foster children have the necessary documents and information to navigate their lives independently as they age out of the system.

The STRONG Support for Children Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to help communities prevent and mitigate childhood trauma through data analysis and trauma-informed care coordination. It authorizes up to $47.5 million in funding to support up to 5 eligible entities (like state or local health departments) to identify geographic areas with high rates of adverse childhood experiences and connect children and families with services including mental health support, housing assistance, substance use treatment, and economic resources. The bill requires grantees to use culturally specific, gender-responsive approaches and prohibits using data for individual case decisions or requiring participation in services. The program will be evaluated over 7 years to assess its impact on reducing childhood trauma and improving outcomes like housing stability, school readiness, and reduced foster system involvement.