Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to Reduce Homelessness and Housing Instability Among Young People
Today, Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Homes for Young Adults Act.
The bill would create a new entitlement under Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 — the Housing Choice Voucher program — specifically targeted at young people who are unstably housed or experiencing homelessness.
Housing Choice Vouchers are the largest federal housing assistance program, but only one in four eligible Americans actually receive that assistance.
The Homes for Young Adults Act aims to close the gap between eligibility and access by targeting young people specifically, many of whom face unique barriers to participation.
“It’s clear the current housing voucher system is not meeting the need,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Nobody should be forced to suffer the trauma of homelessness or the tumult of unstable housing, least of all our young people. This bill marks the first step towards closing the gap between housing assistance eligibility and access. I strongly encourage the House to pass it.”
“As we celebrate Foster Youth this week, I am proud to be an original cosponsor of such important legislation to provide foster youth and other young adults stronger support for housing,” said Rep. André Carson (IN-07). “Aging out of foster care can be an exciting first step into adulthood and self-sufficiency, but without housing support, young people may become at risk of homelessness. This bill helps prepare young adults for success with better opportunities for safe and stable housing.”
"Housing vouchers for youth in our nation eliminate barriers that often hinder access to resources, enabling young individuals to concentrate on their goals and aspirations,” said Marcella Middleton (she/her), CEO with Lived-Expertise at A Way Home America. “As a multifaceted issue, youth homelessness necessitates diverse approaches, and these vouchers, led by youth who have experienced or are experiencing homelessness, play a significant role in addressing the issue, recognizing the expertise of young individuals in their own lives."
“Young adults and children bear the brunt of the eviction crisis in this country,” said Matthew Desmond, author of Poverty, By America. “In creating a housing choice voucher entitlement for these individuals and their families, the Homes for Young Adults Act offers a clear path forward in combating housing instability.”
"We are proud to support Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman as she moves forward this pivotal Homes for Young Adults Act,” said Robt Martin Seda-Schreiber (he/him/his), Chief Activist at the Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice. “Whilst housing is a vital issue for all members of our beautifully diverse communities, it is an exceptional difficulty among the queer youth who are disproportionately affected. Ofttimes they are kicked out of their homes by unaccepting families & then encounter numerous barriers along the path to finding safety & shelter. This bill not only addresses the very nature of the problem by expanding access for all among our most marginalized but it also demonstrates a significant commitment to fighting the endemic cycle of poverty as well as the systemic root causes that perpetuate this issue."
"The Homes for Young Adults Act of 2024 would close a critical gap in housing access for our nation's young people,” said Alex Staropoli, Managing Director of External Affairs at Fair Share Housing. “Access to safe, healthy, and affordable housing as a young person is directly tied to individuals' health, well-being, and success in adulthood. This is even more essential for young people of color and those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. We commend Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman for her leadership on this issue and look forward to working with her to move forward this important legislation."
Specifically, the Homes for Young Adults Act would:
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Provide assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for each qualified individual, as well as cover administrative fees in connection with each voucher for assistance provided, while centering the choice of the voucher holder;
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Expand the definition of young adults to include those who may be single or parenting between the ages of 18-30, respectively, as well as those aging out of foster care or other youth-serving systems and unaccompanied minors, under applicable state law; and
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Establish an allowance for an Ombudsman to mediate between a landlord and a tenant should discriminatory issues arise.
Over 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year, a disproportionate number of whom are people of color, or LGBTQI+ individuals.
The Homes for Young Adults Act is endorsed by: A Way Home America, NETWORK Lobby, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Homelessness Law Center, National Alliance to End Homelessness, Fair Share Housing, Bayard Rustin Center for Social Justice, National Network For Youth (NN4Y), Bridging Hope, Inc., Covenant House International, HOPE Wellness & Prevention Youth Alliance, Larkin Street Youth Services, Mockingbird Society, Point Source Youth, True Colors United, Funders Together to End Homelessness.
The Homes for Young Adults Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-12), Henry "Hank" Johnson (GA-04), Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), André Carson (IN-07), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Stacey Plaskett (USVI).
The bill text can be read here.