Bill Summary
The "Housing to Homes Act of 2025" aims to amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act by expanding the eligible activities under the Continuum of Care Program. Key provisions of the bill include defining "furniture bank" as organizations that provide household furnishings to those in need, including homeless individuals and families. The legislation allows for payments to these furniture banks to cover costs related to delivering, installing, and assembling furniture for households that are currently homeless or have recently experienced homelessness.
Additionally, the bill mandates the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to report on the impact of these payments and to assess "furniture poverty," defined as the inability to access or afford necessary household furniture. Reports on this issue must be published annually for three years following the enactment of the bill. The act is set to expire five years after its enactment. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance support for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness by addressing the critical need for furniture in their new homes.
Possible Impacts
The "Housing to Homes Act of 2025," which amends the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, could affect people in several significant ways. Here are three examples:
1. **Increased Access to Essential Household Furnishings**: By including provisions for furniture banks within the Continuum of Care Program, individuals and families experiencing homelessness will gain access to essential household items at little to no cost. This support can help them transition more smoothly into permanent housing, reducing the barriers that often lead to housing instability. For example, a family moving into a new apartment will have access to basic furniture and appliances, making their new living situation more comfortable and functional.
2. **Reduction in Reentry to Homelessness**: The Act aims to address "furniture poverty," which can hinder newly housed individuals from sustaining their living situation. By facilitating payments to furniture banks for delivery, installation, and assembly of furnishings, the legislation targets a critical barrier that can lead to reentry into homelessness. For instance, a recently housed individual who lacks essential furniture may struggle to create a stable home environment, increasing the risk of returning to homelessness. This support could help mitigate that risk.
3. **Enhanced Reporting and Awareness of Furniture Poverty**: The requirement for annual reports on furniture poverty will raise awareness about the issue and its impact on homelessness. This data can lead to better-informed policies and programs aimed at combating both homelessness and furniture poverty. By highlighting the correlation between lacking basic furnishings and housing instability, stakeholders—including policymakers, non-profit organizations, and community leaders—can develop targeted strategies to address these interconnected issues, ultimately improving the lives of those affected.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6477 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6477
To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with respect to the
eligible activities under the Continuum of Care Program, and for other
purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 4, 2025
Ms. Salinas (for herself and Ms. Norton) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act with respect to the
eligible activities under the Continuum of Care Program, and for other
purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Housing to Homes Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. EXPANSION OF ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES UNDER CONTINUUM OF CARE
PROGRAM; REPORT.
(a) Amendments.--The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11301 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 401, by adding at the end the following:
``(36) Furniture bank.--The term `furniture bank'
means a registered charity, nonprofit organization, or
social enterprise that provides household furnishings
to individuals and families who are in need, including
homeless individuals and families, at little to no cost
to such individuals and families.''; and
(2) in section 423--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) by redesignating the second paragraph
(13) (relating to projects in rural areas) as
paragraph (14); and
(ii) by adding at the end the following:
``(15) Payment to a furniture bank for the costs of
providing household furnishings, including delivery,
installation, and assembly, for individuals and families who--
``(A) are currently homeless;
``(B) were homeless in the prior six months and are
currently residing in permanent housing; or
``(C) were homeless and are currently residing in
permanent supportive housing.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Ownership of Household Furnishings.--With respect to
subsection (a)(15), any household furnishings provided to an individual
or family shall become the sole property of such individual or
family.''.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this section, the Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development shall submit to the Congress a report on the
impact of payments to furniture banks for the costs of
delivery, installation, and assembly of household furnishings
for homeless individuals and families, as described in section
423(a)(15) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11383(a)(15)).
(2) Definitions.--In this subsection--
(A) the term ``furniture bank'' has the meaning
given such term in section 401 of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11360); and
(B) the term ``homeless'' has the meaning given
such term in section 103(a) of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11302(a)).
(c) Report on Furniture Poverty.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this section, and annually thereafter, the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall publish a
report on furniture poverty in the United States on a website
of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, that
includes an assessment of--
(A) the number of Americans currently experiencing
poverty during such year;
(B) the impact that furniture poverty has on the
likelihood that homeless individuals and families will
reenter homelessness; and
(C) the impact of payments to furniture banks under
section 423(a)(15) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act on the number of Americans experiencing
furniture poverty.
(2) Definition of furniture poverty.--The term ``furniture
poverty'' means the inability to access, afford, or maintain
household furniture and goods that are essential for a
functional, safe, and healthy home.
(d) Repeal.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act are
repealed on the date that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of
this Act.
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