Written by: Katie Carter, Director of Research, Education & Public Policy, National Safe Place Network
President Obama released his 2017 budget proposal last week. It includes some bright spots in funding for runaway and homeless youth programs and supports for child welfare programs. This is just a proposal though, and serves as a blueprint Congress will use to build its own budget.
Here are some highlights from the proposal:
- $6 million increase for Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs, including the Basic Center, Street Outreach, and Transitional Living Programs.
- $2 million to conduct a prevalence study of youth homelessness
- $11 Billion to address family homelessness through creating of housing vouchers and rapid re-housing assistance
- $85 million for the education of homeless youth
- Funds to support demonstration grants to help states implement the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014
For additional highlights of homeless programs in general, check out a summary from the National Alliance to End Homelessness: http://www.endhomelessness.org/page/-/files/FY%202017%20Budget%20Rundown.pdf
For additional information about programs and funding related specifically to children and young people, check out First Focus’s highlights: https://nspn.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/NSPN/big-investments-in-kids-in-the-presidents-budget.pdf