FY20 Funding Update | U.S. House and Senate Introduce Runaway & Homeless Youth & Trafficking Prevention Act

November 21, 2019

FY20 Funding Update | U.S. House and Senate introduce Runaway & Homeless Youth & Trafficking Prevention Act

Fiscal Year 2020 Funding
Earlier today, Congress voted to extend temporary funding for the federal government through December 20. The federal government has been operating with temporary funds (known as a continuing resolution or “CR”) since the start of the 2020 federal fiscal year on October 1. 

Continuing resolutions provide level funding to federal departments and agencies based upon their prior-year level. The current CR was slated to expire at midnight today, but today’s vote will provide Congress four more weeks to negotiate permanent funding for FY2020. President Trump is expected to sign the CR extension into law later today, thereby avoiding a government shutdown. 

Simultaneously to the CR, Congress is working to finalize appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2020. The most significant hurdle in that process is debate over several billion dollars for the President’s proposed southern border wall. If Congress reaches a breakthrough on FY20 appropriations, Youth Collaboratory will keep you up to date with tables of 2020 funding for individual programs as they become available. Please check back for additional details. 

Bipartisan Introduction of the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act
On the afternoon of November 20, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT.) and Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY-3), Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5), and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (H.R. /S.2916).

The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act (RHYTPA) provides authorization for many essential local programs for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness,  including Basic Center Programs, Transitional Living Programs, Maternity Group Homes, and Street Outreach Programs.  As authorizing legislation, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act defines the structure for these critical programs, as well as provides Congress with the legal authority to actually appropriate public dollars for the purpose of RHY grants.

According to cosponsor Senator Leahy’s press release, RHYTPA would:

• Act to reauthorize and increase authorization levels for programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act;
• Increase annual competitive grants for rural youth demographics from $100,000 to $200,000;
• Require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop every three years a national estimate of the prevalence of homeless youth; and,
• Allow extensions in length of stay in Basic Center Programs (BCP) from 21 days, to up to 30 days.

Youth Collaboratory applauds the introduction of RHYTPA and thanks the lead cosponsors and all national advocates for their dedication to improving the lives of our nation’s youth and young adults. “The programs and services authorized under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act are absolutely essential to ensuring the safety and well-being of our nation’s youth,” said Megan Blondin, Executive Director of Youth Collaboratory, “This reauthorization bill is a key component in our field’s effort to end youth homelessness.” 

Youth Collaboratory will continue to provide updates and the text of this legislation as soon as it is publicly available.