Recommendations for the Reauthorization of the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act

Date: 10 Jan 2008

Author: National Alliance to End Homelessness

Files:

The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act is the leading federal legislation focused on ending youth homelessness by funding emergency shelter tied to family reunification, street-based outreach, and transitional housing. The Act is scheduled for reauthorization in 2008 which offers an opportunity to strengthen federal policy. The Alliance’s recommendations for amendments to the federal law includes: requests for increased funding levels, seeks focus on programs’ ability to meet the needs of special populations, extends the time youth may stay in shelter, expands eligibility for housing support to homeless youth up to age 24, calls for research on youth housing outcomes, and enacts an appeal system for programs denied funding.