Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act of 2025

This bill renews and updates the national program that helps runaway and homeless youth. It funds local shelters and street outreach for five years at a time and awards grants early so services don’t lapse, with priority for experienced providers . Services include safe short‑term shelter (up to 30 days or more if a state allows), counseling that can involve trusted adults, suicide‑prevention support, trauma‑aware care for youth who have been trafficked, and optional testing for sexually transmitted infections . Programs must fit a young person’s age, culture, and language, keep personal information private, and still report big‑picture data such as trafficking and pregnancy/parenting trends .

It also puts a big focus on preventing homelessness. New grants can support family counseling and connections to housing, school, jobs, and mental health care, among other early‑help services; smaller prevention grants get special priority, and applicants must already run successful youth programs . For older youth, long‑term housing and life‑skills help continue, with a focus on those under 22 (programs may also serve young adults up to 25), and many shelters are kept small (often 4–20 beds) to maintain safety and supervision . Programs can also help eligible youth apply for college aid by confirming their “independent” status for the FAFSA.

• Who is affected: Runaway, homeless, and street youth, plus youth at risk of family separation, including those who are trafficking victims, pregnant or parenting, or involved with child welfare or the justice system .
• What changes: Five‑year grants awarded earlier; added prevention services; required supports like suicide prevention and optional STI testing; culturally and linguistically appropriate services; FAFSA help; and clear rules to protect privacy while tracking outcomes .
• When: Authorizes funding for 2026–2030, including $200 million in 2026, plus dedicated funds for street outreach/trafficking prevention and other activities.
• Flexibility and coordination: Allows temporary waivers during disasters or public health emergencies to keep services going, and encourages sharing non‑identifying data to improve coordination .