Secretary Xavier Becerra of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been appointed chair of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH). The USICH, comprising 19 federal agencies, works collectively to coordinate the national homelessness strategy and bolster state and local initiatives to prevent and end homelessness.

Additionally, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), HHS has announced nine new grants totaling $2.1 million. These grants are dedicated to enhancing supportive services for families residing in affordable housing. Furthermore, ACF has unveiled 11 new grants totaling nearly $4 million to prevent runaway and homeless youth.

In a joint effort, HHS, through the Administration for Community Living, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) have introduced the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator. This innovative initiative will support states in developing or expanding pioneering housing-related supports and services.

“Stable housing is essential to the health and well-being of individuals and families. Preventing and ending homelessness requires a collective effort to understand and address its root causes, such as housing affordability. We must also channel our efforts to address the health and social needs of many who are unhoused, including behavioral health,” said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. “The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness is doing critically important work, and I am honored to take on the role of Chair. We will continue to do everything in our collective capacity to dramatically reduce homelessness in this country.” 

Read the full release here.