All of us need support on the journey to adulthood. Youth experiencing homelessness have a particularly steep climb to adulthood. The federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) program prevents trafficking, identifies survivors, and provides housing and service options to youth in need.
U.S. Representatives Bonamici (D-OR), Bacon (R-NE), Nunn (R-IA), and McGarvey (D-KY) and U.S. Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Collins (R-ME) introduced the bipartisan and bicameral Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (RHYTPA) of 2023 (S.3125/H.R. 6041). This legislation will comprehensively update and reauthorize the vital Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) (42 U.S.C. 5701 et. seq.) program.
Key Components of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2023:
- Comprehensively addresses the needs of youth experiencing homelessness and youth survivors of trafficking
- Prevents human trafficking and chronic adult homelessness
- Adds nondiscrimination clause
- Authorizes waivers to program requirements in extraordinary circumstances, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, or financial crisis
- Requires grantees to inform students of their status as independent students and to assist youth in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- Defines ‘trauma-informed’ and outlines the importance that all services provided are trauma-informed and resist retraumatization
- Authorizes over $310M per year for RHYA services
Now is the time for Congress to act to help our young people. No young person should experience homelessness in America.