What does Preamble of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This bill proposes to amend section 477 of the Social Security Act. The stated purpose is to improve coordination with Federal housing assistance programs. The amendment specifically targets youth who have experienced foster care.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This bill is formally titled the Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act.

What does IMPROVING ACCESS TO HOUSING FOR FOSTER YOUTH. of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This section amends Section 477 of the Social Security Act to improve access to housing for youth who have experienced foster care. Amendments include clarifying language regarding preventive services and expanding eligibility to include youth age 18 or older. The legislation allows states to collaborate with public housing agencies to serve foster youth. States can use funds to provide supportive services to eligible youth to obtain or retain suitable housing. Supportive services may include financial literacy counseling, rental lease assistance, and help with security deposits and moving costs. Expenditures for these supportive services will not be considered room and board for purposes of existing spending limitations. States can provide supportive services to eligible youth who have not attained 26 years of age to support continued access to housing.

What does JOINT AGENCY GUIDANCE. of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This section requires the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development to develop and issue joint guidance within one year of the Act's enactment. The guidance is directed to State public child welfare agencies and public housing authorities. The guidance aims to improve alignment and coordination of housing supportive services under the Social Security Act (section 477) and housing assistance under the United States Housing Act of 1937 (section 8(x)). The guidance must include clarification of Federal policies to improve housing access for youth who have experienced foster care. It also includes guidance on State use of funds under section 477 for supportive services to improve access to HUD housing programs. Best practices for partnerships between child welfare agencies and housing authorities are also required. The Secretaries can include additional information deemed necessary to coordinate Federal programs serving current and former foster youth.

What does REPORT TO CONGRESS. of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This section requires a report to Congress within three years of the Act's enactment. The report must be submitted by the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development. The report is addressed to the House Committees on Ways and Means and Financial Services, and the Senate Committees on Finance and Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. The report must include aggregate data on eligible youth who have experienced foster care and are receiving Federal housing assistance. The report must describe outcomes for these youth, including housing stability and homelessness rates. The report must include findings from evaluations of State programs under section 477(g)(1) of the Social Security Act. The report must contain statutory recommendations for improving coordination between child welfare agencies and Federal housing programs.

What does EFFECTIVE DATE. of Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act do?

This Act will become effective one year after its enactment.

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Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act

Last updated: 6/23/2026 · Introduced: 6/23/2026

Author: Chuck Grassley (R-IA)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill amends the Social Security Act to expand housing assistance eligibility to include youth who aged out of foster care up to age 26 and clarifies the availability of preventive services.
The bill mandates joint guidance from the Departments of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development to improve coordination between child welfare agencies and housing authorities in providing supportive services to foster youth.
Within three years of enactment, the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development must report to Congress on the outcomes of housing assistance programs for former foster youth, including data on housing stability and homelessness.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

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Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 4 more.

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