To: The United States House of Representatives and The United States Senate

Support Homeless Children and Youth

As one of the largest social service providers in the Midwest, A Safe Haven Foundation, addresses the needs of homeless men, women, and families in crisis. With more than 20 years experience, we understand that the face of homelessness is often complex and varied.

Why is this important?

As one of the largest social service providers in the Midwest, A Safe Haven Foundation, addresses the needs of homeless men, women, and families in crisis. With more than 20 years experience, we understand that the face of homelessness is often complex and varied.

Currently HUD's annual Point in Time count of homeless people does not include homeless children and youth who are living with friends, relatives, or staying at motels. This means social service agencies and shelters are precluded from serving these highly vulnerable individuals. By supporting S.256 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2015, HUD will be required to count someone as homeless if another federal agency -- such as the Department of Education classifies them as homeless. This will provide desperately needed housing resources.

"Children living in these situations are particularly vulnerable to predators, including traffickers, because they are hidden to social-service providers and do not have case managers," according to Sen. Feinstein's office, which estimates there are one million such uncounted children and youth. The Department of Education, for example, considers such young people homeless, and provides them with extra services.

A Safe Haven Foundation supports S.256 - Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2015. We hope you will, too!