Time is quickly running out for the Trump administration to secure funding for crucial services that support homeless youth, and advocates across the country are sounding the alarm.
The concern centers on the federal Runaway and Homeless Youth Program, which supports shelters, transitional housing, street outreach efforts, and counseling for vulnerable young people. Although Congress allocated funding months ago, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has yet to release the grant opportunities, putting programs nationwide at risk.
Youth service providers rely on these grants to continue their work, but with delays mounting, many are unsure how much longer they can keep their doors open. In some areas, organizations have already started to dip into reserves, reduce staff, or cut services as they wait for word from HHS.
According to Eric Bauer, executive director of the National Network for Youth, the uncertainty is putting tens of thousands of young people in jeopardy. He stressed that delays in releasing funding could lead to “a dangerous lapse in services” right as many youth are facing increased needs due to housing instability and the economic fallout from the pandemic.
The urgency isn’t just about funding—it’s about the timeline. If HHS doesn’t open up the application process soon, providers say they may not receive renewed grants before their current ones expire this fall. That would leave youth without shelter, support, or safety nets.
Despite repeated outreach from advocates and lawmakers, the administration hasn’t publicly explained the holdup. As the clock ticks, service providers are calling for immediate action, warning that any further delay could have life-threatening consequences for the country’s most vulnerable youth.