Durbin, Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation To Help Runaway And Homeless Youth
The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act would update and expand critical services that support at-risk youth
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) introduced the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would reauthorize key federal grant programs to provide states with funding to help thousands of homeless young people nationwide.
“Every child deserves a safe home, but far too many children are experiencing homelessness, are being forced out of their homes, or are escaping a dangerous environment,” said Durbin. “TheRunaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, which funds key federal programs that address housing insecurity, will help children find a safe, comfortable home when they need it most.”
“Having a caring and safe place to sleep, eat, grow, and study is crucial for any young person’s development,” said Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would support young people who run away, are forced out of their homes, or are disconnected from their families, by extending basic social services to these most vulnerable youth in our communities.”
The landmark Runaway and Homeless Youth Act was first passed by Congress in 1974, providing nationwide support to address youth and young adult homelessness. This reauthorization would expand protections to youths who are particularly vulnerable to human trafficking and would authorize funding for state and local programs to help provide transitional housing, street outreach, and crisis intervention programs to address the needs of homeless and runaway youth.
Specifically, the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025 would:
- Reauthorize, modernize, and increase authorization levels for programs under the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act;
- Create a new Prevention Services Program that would make additional resources available to organizations providing counseling, mediation, and other services aimed at preventing youth from running away or becoming homeless;
- Increase annual competitive grants for rural youth demographics from $100,000 to $200,000;
- Require the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a national estimate of the prevalence of homeless youth every three years; and
- Increase the allowable length of stay in the Basic Center Program from 21 days to 30 days.
U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Peter Welch (D-VT) also joined as original cosponsors of the legislation. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1), and Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-3).
A complete list of organizations endorsing the bill can be read here.
The complete text of the bill can be read here.
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