Senator Patty Murray is doing what many think is impossible—changing how the federal government works so we can get in front of a significant social problem instead of just waiting to manage the fallout.
She is taking a proven success story and building on it: In Washington state, we’ve seen an unprecedented 40% reduction in youth homelessness over the last decade. Last week, Senator Murray introduced the Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Act (S. 4261) to take this Washington State-born blueprint and scale it across the entire country.
Proactive, Not Reactive
For too long, federal resources only kicked in after a young person lost their housing. This bill changes the math. S.4261 breaks down the silos between schools, healthcare, foster care, and the justice system to identify at-risk youth and step in before the crisis happens.
The Washington State Blueprint
We know this works because we’ve proven it. Washington has broken the mold on traditional approaches—which were created to serve adult needs, not youth—and introduced flexible, tailored support. This honed focus on what young people need to stave off homelessness or remain safely housed is a new avenue for government programs.
This new approach works.
Success is reflected in the impact of programs such as the Homeless Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF)implemented by theOffice of Homeless Youthand community partners here in Washington State. With an average grant of just $2,700—to cover a security deposit, a car repair, or a utility bill—we’ve kept 93% of young people stably housed a year later. Senator Murray’s bill will allow other states to innovate similar, prevention-based programs.
Breaking the Cycle
The stakes couldn’t be higher. We know that 48% of adults experiencing chronic homelessness first lost their housing before the age of 25. By stopping that first housing crisis, we aren’t just helping a teenager today—we are preventing a lifetime of instability.
Join Us in Saying Thank You
Please join us in thanking Senator Patty Murray for her relentless leadership. She is taking Washington State’s innovation and leveraging it so that the rest of the country can join us in success.
With bold federal policy, continued community advocacy, and compassion for and trust in our youth, we can ensure that every young person has a safe place to call home.