HCYA IN the News

The Homeless Children and Youth Act (HR 1511/S 611) is a bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would make it easier for communities to assist homeless children, youth, and families. Earlier, we reported on the June 6, 2018, House Financial Services subcommittee hearing on HR 1511, and included videos of each witness testimony. Yet some of the most illuminating moments came during the question and answer period. This blog summarizes some of the most illuminating interactions between witnesses and Members.

Congressional Hearing Reveals Barriers to HUD Homeless Assistance for Children, Youth, and Families

On June 6, the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance held a hearing to review the Homeless Children and Youth Act (H.R. 1511). This blog includes videos of all four witness testimonies. Witnesses included:

Barbara Duffield, Executive Director, SchoolHouse Connection
Kat Lilley, Deputy Executive Director, Family Promise of Colorado Springs
Millie Rounsville, Chief Executive Officer, Northwest Wisconsin Community Services Agency Inc. of Superior, WI
Steve Berg, Vice President of Programs and Policy, National Alliance to End Homelessness

Ms. Duffield, Ms. Lilley, and Ms. Rounsville testified in support of the Homeless Children and Youth Act. They described specific barriers created by HUD’s definition of homelessness, national priorities, and other policies. They also challenged assertions that family and youth homelessness is decreasing. Mr. Berg defended the current HUD homelessness system and argued against the bill.

Hearing entitled “Legislative Review of H.R. 1511, the “Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2017”
June 6, 2018

OP-ED: Homelessness in NJ More Pervasive than HUD Data Reveals
May 11, 2018

Homelessness tally omits some people in Arkansas, across country
May 7, 2018

Senator Feinstein seeks to expand federal housing help for homeless children
May 1, 2018

Families live in the shadows during homeless counts
February 8, 2018

Federal report says homelessness is down more than 22 percent in S.C., but shelters say otherwise
January 21, 2018

Nearly 3,000 homeless students in Northern Kentucky are hiding in plain sight
November 15, 2017

Advocates Applaud Bipartisan Legislation to Address Child and Youth Homelessness
March 14, 2017

New Housing Data Misses the Mark on Family Homelessness
October 26, 2016

Housing Department’s Homeless Family Data Misleading
November 5, 2015

Number Of Homeless Public School Students Hits Record High. Here’s Who’s Helping
September 17, 2015

Who is homeless? Federal agencies don’t agree on who needs help
September 16, 2015