Lawler, Bynum Lead Bipartisan Effort to Update Homelessness Definition for Kids and Teens

Washington, D.C. - 12/4/25… Yesterday, Reps. Mike Lawler (NY-17) and Janelle Bynum (OR-05), introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act, legislation to align federal agencies' approach to identifying and meeting the needs of homeless children and youth.

Enacted in 1987, the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act is the most significant federal law addressing the critical problem of homelessness. While the law was designed to establish various federal agencies' responses to homelessness and best use of limited taxpayer resources, there is a significant misalignment in how the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines "homeless" compared to other federal agencies serving children.

"Schools identify about 1.4 million children and youth as homeless, yet most can't access HUD resources because they don't fit its narrow definition. Ignoring these hidden but serious cases strains families and local communities, which sets many kids on a path toward adult homelessness. Updating the definition is a necessary step to break that cycle and ease economic strain on our local communities," said Congressman Lawler.

"Oregon has one of the highest rates of youth and teen homelessness in the country, and too many of these children are unable to access support they need because of red tape. We know that teen homelessness is the strongest predictor of homelessness as an adult, and that expanding access to support can be life-changing for these kids. That's why I'm proud to be leading this bill to cut through the red tape and offer young Oregonians - and Americans - a pathway out of homelessness," said Congresswoman Bynum.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE.

Congressman Lawler is one of the most bipartisan members of Congress and represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties. He was rated the most effective freshman lawmaker in the 118th Congress, 8th overall, surpassing dozens of committee chairs.

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