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a PDF version of this Issue Brief
The provision that requires HHS to coordinate with the U.S. Interagency
Council on Homelessness to develop a Report on Strategies to End Youth
Homelessness is being implemented and a report will be published.
Background
It is estimated that 1.6 million youth experience runaway and homelessness
episodes each year. Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs raise achievement
among homeless youth, are cost-effective, and build strong communities with
partnerships among community-based organizations, faith-based organizations,
businesses, law enforcement, and local governments. The last federally
funded evaluation of RHYA programs demonstrated that the programs reduced
drop-out rates, doubled school attendance; increased college attendance;
increased employment rates; reduced parental physical abuse; and improved
family relationships.
In FY 2003, RHYA programs served over 619,000 youth through Street Outreach,
77,882 youth through the Basic Center Program, and 4,312 youth through the
Transitional Living Program. The average cost of serving a youth in a
Transitional Living Program is $8,348.00 per year - a mere fraction of the
public dollars spent on housing youth in costly corrections systems.
Demonstrated Need
Due to a lack of resources, according to the federally-administered Runaway
and Homeless Youth Management Information System (RHYMIS), during FY 2003:
- 40% of youth going into
Transitional Living Programs were turned away
- More than 4,000 youth were turned away from Basic Center Programs
Programs
The Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs are comprised of three components:
Street Outreach, Basic Centers, and Transitional Living.
- The RHYA Street Outreach program ensures rapid engagement with young
people living on the street in an effort to prevent their physical and
sexual abuse and assault, commercial sexual exploitation, disease, long-term
homelessness, and death.
- The RHYA Basic Center program provides funds for family reunification
services, counseling, and temporary shelter to serve children and youth
under age 18.
- The RHYA Transitional Living program provides transitional housing and
independent living services to older homeless youth (up to age 21) for up to
18 months.
Authorization Level: Such Sums as Necessary
Funding: Basic Center Transitional Living Street Outreach Maternity Group
Homes
FY 2005 Appropriation $49 million $40 million $15 million $ 0
FY 2006 Budget Request $49 million $40 million $15 million $10 million
National Collaboration for Youth Funding Request: $140 million
- $120 million for the Consolidated Account (Basic Centers and Transitional
Living)
- $20 million for the Runaway Prevention Account (Street Outreach)
Resources and Links
Issue Brief by the National Alliance to End Homelessness on the Runaway and
Homeless Youth Act
http://www.endhomelessness.org/pol/papers/RHYbrief2.pdf
Interagency Council on Homelessness
http://www.ich.gov/
Education for Homeless Children and Youth
http://www.ed.gov/programs/homeless/guidance.pdf
Final Enrolled Bill
HR 1925
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act (Enrolled as Agreed
to or Passed by Both House and Senate)
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:H.R.1925.ENR:
For more information, contact Beth Poffenberger Lovell, Volunteers of
America bethp@voa.org
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