Entitlement program for housing choice vouchers for youth

(a) Entitlement During fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, any household that consists of or includes any youth or young adult and that is otherwise eligible for tenant-based rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) shall be entitled to such rental assistance in accordance with this section during such period the family remains so eligible. (b) Funding For fiscal year 2027 and each fiscal year thereafter, there is appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated the amount necessary— (1) to provide assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 in accordance with the entitlement under subsection (a) of this section for each qualified household in the amount determined under subsection 8(o); and (2) to provide administrative fees under sections 8(q) and 23(h)(1) of such Act, as modified pursuant to this Act, in connection with each voucher for assistance provided pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. (c) Administering agencies (1) Regional consortia The Secretary shall encourage and provide for public housing agencies to form regional consortia to administer the program for rental assistance under this section with respect to geographical areas. (2) PHA designation The Secretary shall designate a public housing agency to administer assistance under this section in any area where no existing public housing agency has jurisdiction or where no agency with jurisdiction is adequately administering such assistance, subject to public comment and after consultation with States, public housing agencies, local government, Indian tribes, and tribally designated housing agencies. (d) Support services (1) Requirements Each public housing agency administering rental assistance provided pursuant to this section shall ensure that— (A) support services described in paragraph (2) are made available to each youth and young adult provided such rental assistance by the administering agency, which may be accessed by such youth or young adult at any time; and (B) each such youth and young adult is provided clear information on how to access such services and the purposes, benefits, and any limitations involved with accessing such services. (2) Included services The support services described in this paragraph are as follows: (A) Any services otherwise made available by the public housing agency to families provided rental assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937. (B) Services as the Secretary shall provide relating to housing navigation, job-skill training, assistance for pursuing higher education, relevant legal and tenant protection services, assistance in applying for other federally funded programs, and safety planning and services appropriate to address potential vulnerabilities and safety concerns of youths and young adults, including migrant youths and young adults. (3) Availability This subsection may not be construed to require any youth or young adult provided rental assistance under this section to access or use such services. (e) Housing choice The Secretary shall take such actions as necessary to ensure that the choice of a dwelling unit to be rented using assistance provided pursuant to this section shall be at the sole discretion of the assisted household and may be based upon such standards and factors as such household considers appropriate, including— (1) geographical considerations, including those affected by family or cultural factors; (2) cost of living; (3) access to grocery stores, healthcare, transportation, or any need; (4) preference for individual or shared housing; and (5) any other considerations of importance to the household. (f) Mediation; appeal The Secretary shall require each public housing agency administering rental assistance made available pursuant to this section to make available to households assisted under this section— (1) an ombudsman to mediate any issues, including claims of discrimination, arising between the assisted household and the landlord of the dwelling unit rented by such household using such assistance; and (2) an appeal process for such assisted households to challenge any adverse decisions under the mediation process under paragraph (1). (g) Immigration status Eligibility for assistance made available pursuant to this section may not be limited based on citizenship, immigration, or migratory status in any manner that is inconsistent with eligibility requirements otherwise applicable to assistance under section 8(o) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)) for households who are not youths or young adults. (h) Privacy The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to protect the privacy and confidentiality of households assisted pursuant to this section. (i) Studies and reports In conducting any study or issuing any report relating to carrying out this Act, including the studies and reports under subsections (a)(4)(D) and (b), the Secretary shall ensure the appointment or inclusion of homeless youth and young adults.