Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3977
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-14T14:37:40Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act (H.R. 3977) aims to expand access to federal housing assistance for specific college students from vulnerable backgrounds, particularly those with foster care experience. It removes barriers that previously prevented such students from receiving aid while enrolled in higher education and living on campus, promoting housing stability to support their education.
Key Provisions
- Removal of Student Housing Prohibition: Amends Section 327(a) of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115) by eliminating paragraph (1), which barred housing assistance for students, and renumbering the remaining paragraphs.
- Waiver Authority for Eligible Students: Adds a new subsection (23) to Section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)), allowing the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to waive requirements for tenant-based rental assistance (a program providing vouchers to help low-income individuals pay rent) for individuals who:
- Are enrolled as students at an institution of higher education (defined under the Higher Education Act of 1965, including traditional colleges and certain other qualifying schools).
- Reside in on-campus student housing facilities.
- Meet one of the following criteria: currently in foster care, previously in foster care, or a minor declared emancipated (legally independent from parents) by a court.
- Income Exclusion for Assistance: Housing aid received under this waiver does not count as income when determining eligibility for other benefits, including:
- Federal or institutional student financial aid.
- Income from cooperative education work programs (hands-on job training tied to studies).
- Living allowances under the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (e.g., AmeriCorps programs).
- Child support obligations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Elimination of Blanket Ban: Prior law prohibited most full-time students from receiving Section 8 tenant-based assistance, regardless of circumstances. This bill removes that broad restriction from the 2006 Appropriations Act, creating a targeted exception for foster youth and emancipated minors.
- New Waiver Flexibility: Introduces HUD's discretionary authority to bypass standard eligibility rules under the 1937 Housing Act specifically for on-campus housing, which was not previously available. This ensures assistance does not interfere with educational or service-related benefits, addressing a gap for at-risk students.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: HUD gains flexibility in administering housing programs, potentially increasing voucher usage for this group without new funding mandates. Local housing authorities may see administrative adjustments to process waivers.
- On Citizens: Primarily benefits foster youth and emancipated minors pursuing higher education by enabling stable on-campus housing, reducing homelessness risks and supporting degree completion. It could indirectly aid families by excluding aid from child support calculations.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic housing and education policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Foster Youth and Emancipated Minors: Primary beneficiaries, gaining access to housing aid to focus on studies without financial penalties.
- Institutions of Higher Education: On-campus housing providers may see increased enrollment from supported students; they benefit from the income exclusion for work-study programs.
- HUD and Housing Authorities: Responsible for implementing waivers and ensuring compliance.
- Federal Aid Providers: Agencies like the Department of Education and AmeriCorps must adjust income calculations to accommodate the new exclusions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal Implications: Enhances equity in federal assistance programs by carving out exceptions for vulnerable populations, aligning with existing laws like the Higher Education Act. It avoids conflicts with income rules in other statutes by explicitly excluding aid from calculations.
- Constitutional Implications: Supports equal protection principles under the U.S. Constitution by addressing disparities for foster youth, a group often facing systemic barriers, without raising free speech or due process concerns.
- Political Implications: Bipartisan sponsorship (from both parties) signals broad support for youth housing and education access. It could set a precedent for targeted waivers in welfare programs, potentially influencing future appropriations debates on housing affordability.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (15)
Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Houchin, Erin [R-IN-9], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-12: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
- 2025-06-12: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Campus Housing Affordability for Foster Youth Act — issued 2025-06-12 — PDF (4 pages)