House Approves Final Legislation to Protect Runaway and Homeless Youth

Saturday, September 27, 2008

WASHINGTON, DC -- Last night the U.S. House of Representatives approved final bipartisan legislation to strengthen protections and support for America’s runaway and homeless children. The measure, the Reconnecting Homeless Youth Act (S.2982), builds on legislation authored by U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth (D-KY), which the House overwhelmingly passed in June. It now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.

The bill reauthorizes the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act. Among other things, it would significantly improve the quality of services available to help disconnected youth and would expand access to those programs – so that fewer runaway and homeless children are turned away from shelters.

“We must protect our nation’s most vulnerable children, especially those who have been pushed out and are living on the streets. This legislation will give them the physical shelter and emotional support they need to start rebuilding their lives,” said U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA), the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. “I commend Rep. Yarmuth for his leadership and dedication to providing runaway and homeless children across the country with the attention, stability, and hope they deserve.”

“This legislation will bring us significantly closer to ensuring that, in America, no child ever has to grow up without a home,” said Rep. Yarmuth. “For more than a million children each year, this legislation could mean the difference between continuing to live on the streets without hope and finding a path to successful adulthood.”

“I would like to congratulate Rep. Yarmuth on this bill and commend him for his commitment to helping our nation’s runaway and homeless youth,” said U.S. Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), the chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities.  It is crucial that we do everything in our power to help the thousands of vulnerable young people in this country that are without a home.  The programs that are reauthorized in this bill will give runaway and homeless children a real chance at getting a new start in life and help them get on track to a better future.”

More than a million children experience homelessness each year; in many cases these children flee because of situations of abuse and neglect. Studies show that runaway and homeless youth are at greater risk of behavioral and mental health problems.

In addition, the bill would also increase transparency at the Department of Health and Human Services and provide funding for local community programs that help homeless and runaway youth. In 2005, these programs served over 500,000 homeless and runaway children.

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