Homelessness: Federal Programs and Policy Responses

This report examines federal programs addressing homelessness, including the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act programs administered by HUD, the Department of Education's programs for homeless youth, and the Department of Health and Human Services' programs for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The report discusses HUD's Continuum of Care program, Emergency Solutions Grants, and the Housing First approach to homelessness intervention. It provides data on the annual point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness, trends in homelessness among veterans and chronically homeless individuals, and the impact of rising housing costs.

Policy considerations include the adequacy of federal funding, coordination among federal agencies and with state and local governments, encampment management policies, the role of mental health and substance abuse services, and proposals to increase the supply of permanent supportive housing.