Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2475

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Housing and Community Development

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Last Updated

2026-04-20T17:51:29Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025 aims to address homelessness among youth and young adults by establishing a three-year pilot program that provides both financial support (cash payments) and non-financial services (like housing help and job training) to eligible participants. It also requires a study to evaluate the program's effects on housing stability, health, economic outcomes, and overall feasibility for broader use, while recognizing barriers like poverty, discrimination, and economic instability faced by these groups.

Key Provisions

• Database Creation: Within two years of enactment, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) must build a national database of homeless individuals in the U.S., using reliable sources and coordinating with other agencies (e.g., Education, Housing and Urban Development, Agriculture). The database includes only essential information for eligibility and administration, excluding details like citizenship or Social Security numbers. A report on the process must be submitted to Congress.

• Participant Selection: Up to 105,000 homeless individuals aged 18-29 (or emancipated minors) are selected based on criteria ensuring representation of low-income areas and diverse demographics of homeless youth. Selection ignores citizenship or immigration status. Participants must consent to sharing tax and personal information (e.g., ZIP code).

• Assistance Provided:
• All participants receive 36 months of non-financial support, including housing navigation (help finding homes), financial coaching, job training, education services, landlord-tenant rights education, and links to other federal homeless aid.
• Participants are randomly divided into two equal groups; one group (the "payment-receiving group") gets monthly cash payments of at least $1,400 or the adjusted fair market rent (a government-set average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in their ZIP code, possibly modified for local needs). Payments can be in cash, electronic transfer, prepaid card, or other forms, on the first or last weekday of the month. Up to half of this group can opt for a lump-sum payment for the first year.

• National Youth Economic Advisory Council: HHS establishes this council with 11-14 members, including representatives from nonprofits (e.g., homeless youth, civil rights, LGBTQ+ groups), economic experts, community organizations, and federal departments. The council advises on database creation, participant selection, services, payment amounts, program administration, and the study. It meets quarterly, holds hearings, and submits reports; members receive pay equivalent to a senior federal salary level (GS-14, step 10) but federal employees get no extra compensation. The council terminates after the final study report.

• Study and External Partner: HHS selects an experienced organization (External Partner) within 270 days to design and conduct a study on the program's impacts, including housing stability, economic effects, health, and social costs (e.g., reduced government spending on services). The study uses randomized groups for comparison and evaluates expanding cash transfers to fight homelessness. Interim and final reports go to Congress within 24 months of start and 12 months after end, respectively.

• Privacy and Administration: Strict rules prohibit disclosing personal information, with fines up to $25,000 for violations. Data can be shared anonymously for research. The database is destroyed 30 days after the council ends. Program participation doesn't affect eligibility for other federal/state benefits, isn't taxable income, and doesn't count as a "public charge" (a factor in immigration decisions).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new federal pilot for guaranteed basic income targeted at homeless youth, which doesn't exist in current U.S. law; existing homeless programs (e.g., under the McKinney-Vento Act) focus on shelter and services but not direct cash transfers.
• Requires other agencies to help identify homeless individuals via new regulations under McKinney-Vento, expanding data collection for federal homeless aid.
• Exempts program payments from federal income taxes and immigration "public charge" rules (under the Immigration and Nationality Act), and waives certain welfare restrictions (under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act).
• Creates the National Youth Economic Advisory Council as a new advisory body with partial exemptions from the Federal Advisory Committee Act (procedural rules for federal advisory groups), allowing more flexibility in operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Citizens: Could improve housing access, financial stability, health, and job/education outcomes for up to 105,000 homeless young adults, potentially reducing poverty and income volatility from gig work or automation. It targets inequities affecting Black, Indigenous, and other youth of color, but benefits are limited to a pilot group.
• On Government Agencies: HHS leads implementation, coordination, and funding (implied but not specified); other agencies (HUD, Education, Agriculture) must assist with data and regulations, increasing administrative workload. The study may inform future anti-homelessness policies, potentially lowering long-term costs for public services like healthcare and education.
• On International Relations: No direct impact, as the program is domestic and excludes immigration status from eligibility or benefits.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Homeless Youth and Young Adults (Ages 18-29): Primary beneficiaries, especially those in low-income or marginalized communities (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals), gaining direct aid and services.
• Government Agencies: HHS (administration and study), HUD, Education, and Agriculture (data support); congressional committees (Financial Services, Ways and Means, Banking/Housing/Urban Affairs, Finance) for oversight and reports.
• Nonprofits and Community Groups: Involved via the advisory council (e.g., homeless youth organizations, civil rights groups, economic research entities) and as potential service providers or researchers.
• External Partner Organization: A selected expert group handles study design and data, receiving compensation up to GS-12 pay rates.
• Landlords and Service Providers: Indirectly affected through increased housing navigation and tenant education, potentially boosting affordable housing demand.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Strong privacy safeguards with criminal penalties (misdemeanor fines) protect participant data, aligning with federal privacy laws but adding enforcement for this program. Tax exemption for payments treats them as non-income, simplifying administration but requiring IRS coordination. Non-interference with other benefits ensures no "benefit cliffs" (sudden loss of aid from extra income).
• Constitutional: No apparent issues; the program uses Congress's spending power for welfare and doesn't discriminate based on protected classes (e.g., ignores citizenship). The advisory council's partial FACA exemption is authorized by statute, maintaining transparency via charters, quorums, and conflict-of-interest rules.
• Political: Highlights systemic issues like racism, age discrimination, and economic shifts (e.g., gig economy), potentially sparking debates on universal basic income or youth-specific aid. As a Democratic-led bill (introduced by Rep. Tlaib and cosponsors), it emphasizes equity for marginalized groups but faces scrutiny over costs, scale (105,000 participants), and long-term expansion based on study results.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12]

Cosponsors (9)

Rep. Ansari, Yassamin [D-AZ-3], Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]

Recent Actions

• 2025-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-27: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House
• 2025-03-27: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Youth Homelessness Guaranteed Income Pilot Program Act of 2025 — issued 2025-03-27 — PDF (27 pages)