Every child deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Yet, there were 1,508,265 identified, enrolled students reported as experiencing homelessness as of 2018. Homelessness in any form hinders their ability to succeed in school, to build a strong future, and to live healthy lives. To combat this problem, it’s going to take a response at all levels: local, state, and federal.

Thankfully, organizations like Huckleberry House right here in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District are working to reach those teenagers lacking a stable home and on the verge of crisis. Earlier this year, I toured the Huckleberry House with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson and Governor Mike DeWine to see firsthand how they are working day-in and day-out to care for the youth in our communities. At the tour, HUD announced that Ohio would be receiving $107 million in grants through HUD’s Continuum of Care program. Our neighborhood in particular is directly receiving benefits from this program; the Huckleberry House was awarded $230,000.

Continuum of Care commits resources to individuals, families, and organizations nationwide who are dedicated to combatting homelessness. During the recent appropriation process, I supported funding for the Continuum of Care Program to ensure that individuals who receive the program’s assistance can continue to work towards self-sufficiency.

As the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance, one of my top priorities is to address the increasing number of homeless youth. Unfortunately, kids who are “couch-surfing”, living in unsheltered places, abandoned buildings, or campgrounds are often excluded under the current definition of homelessness, making it difficult for them to access the services they desperately need. 

I introduced the Homeless Children and Youth Act to change that. This legislation would align the definition of “homelessness” that HUD uses with the definition that other federal educational and social services programs use to give a complete, accurate picture of the homeless youth population, including those in untenable situations. This will help make sure organizations like Huckleberry House can take the appropriate steps to help these kids.

It’s these types of commonsense policies that can make a real difference. I am hopeful that the coalition of people at the local, state, and federal level will continue championing ways to make sure all young people have a safe place to call home. If you’d like to learn more about these policies, or other efforts to invest in our youth, please call my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 225-2015, my Hilliard office at (614) 771-4968, my Lancaster office at (740) 654-2654, or my Wilmington office at (937) 283-7049.