A resolution designating November 2025 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month".
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 538
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Housing and Community Development
- Status
- Passed Senate
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-09: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8580; text: CR S8579-8580)
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-12T16:11:26Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 538) aims to raise national awareness about homelessness among children and youth by designating November 2025 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." It highlights the scale, causes, and consequences of child and youth homelessness to encourage greater support for prevention and assistance programs.
Key Provisions
- Background Facts ("Whereas" Clauses): The resolution outlines statistics on homelessness, including:
- Nearly 1.4 million school-enrolled children and youth identified as homeless in the 2022-2023 school year, a 14% increase from the prior year.
- An estimated 1.2 million children under age 6 and 4.2 million youth/young adults experience homelessness annually, often in temporary situations like couches, motels, shelters, or outdoors.
- A 39% rise in families in homeless shelters or on streets in 2024, per the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
- Health risks for infants, higher child welfare involvement, school attendance issues, chronic absenteeism (48% rate, 22% higher than peers), elevated suicide risks among homeless high school students, lower graduation rates (68% vs. 85.5% overall), and equal prevalence in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
- Links to foster care (29% of unaccompanied homeless youth aged 13-25), juvenile justice transitions, and factors like poverty, low education/employment, substance use, mental health issues, housing shortages, and family conflict.
- Actions ("Resolved" Section):
- Supports efforts by businesses, governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers to meet the needs of homeless children and youth.
- Applauds initiatives that raise awareness of causes and solutions, and work to prevent homelessness.
- Officially designates November 2025 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month.
- Encourages intensified efforts during November 2025 to address the issue.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This is a non-binding Senate resolution, so it introduces no changes to existing laws or statutes. It serves as a symbolic declaration without enforceable requirements.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: May increase public awareness, leading to greater community involvement, donations, or volunteering for homelessness programs, potentially improving support for affected families and reducing stigma.
- On Government Agencies: Could prompt federal, state, or local agencies (e.g., Department of Education, Housing and Urban Development) to highlight related data or programs during November 2025, though no funding or mandates are added.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as it focuses solely on domestic U.S. issues.
- Overall, the resolution fosters voluntary action but does not allocate resources or create new obligations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Homeless Children and Youth: Primary beneficiaries through heightened awareness and potential support for education, housing, and health services.
- Families and Communities: Including those in foster care, juvenile justice, or at risk of homelessness, who may gain better access to prevention resources.
- Businesses, Governments, Organizations, Educators, and Volunteers: Encouraged to participate in awareness and prevention efforts, potentially increasing their involvement in advocacy or service provision.
- Schools and Educational Institutions: Affected by references to attendance, graduation, and chronic absenteeism issues among homeless students.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: As a simple resolution agreed to by the Senate, it has no force of law and requires no presidential approval or House concurrence. It does not create rights, obligations, or penalties.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's broad authority to express policy preferences (Article I), but imposes no restrictions on free speech or other rights.
- Political: Signals bipartisan concern (introduced by Sens. Alsobrooks and Collins) on a growing social issue, potentially influencing future legislation on housing, education, or child welfare. It may encourage similar recognitions in other years or at state levels, amplifying advocacy without controversy.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-09: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S8580; text: CR S8579-8580)
- 2025-12-09: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
- 2025-12-09: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Designating November 2025 as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month. — issued 2025-12-09 — PDF (4 pages)