Child and Youth Homelessness is not just a problem in other states.  It's a pervasive problem facing children and youth living in Virginia.  In a 2013 report by The National Center On Family Homelessness, Virginia was ranked 14 out of all states for the extent of child homelessness; 17 for child well-being; 17 for overall risk for child homelessness; and 19 for state policy and planning. The total number includes children and youth living in shelters, hotels and motels, and those who are unsheltered - living on the streets.  Homeless children and youth face serious health and safety threats, including higher risk of physical and sexual abuse and trafficking.  The reality that thousands of children sleep on the streets each night in Virginia is heartbreaking and tragic. 

Please do something about it now!  Join our efforts in urging Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to help homeless children and youth.  

The Homeless Children and Youth Act of 2015, currently before Congress, implements crucial steps towards ending child and youth homelessness:

· AMENDS HUD’s current definition of homelessness to INCLUDE children and youth who are actually homeless

· ELIMINATES complex documentation requirements for proving homelessness

· PROHIBITS HUD from overriding local communities' decisions as to where federal homelessness resources are best targeted

·  UPDATES federal homeless data collection and reporting requirements to ensure that data accurately reflect homelessness in America