AB 673 — Unaccompanied Youth Transitional Housing Program (Jackson) — Summary

Status: Introduced Feb 14, 2025. Referred to Assembly Education; set for first hearing then canceled at author’s request (last action Apr 9, 2025). Fiscal committee review required; no appropriation specified.

Purpose / Intent

AB 673 creates a pilot, competitive grant program — the Unaccompanied Youth Transitional Housing Program — to fund multi‑year transitional housing projects and associated services for unaccompanied homeless youth. The bill responds to data showing high numbers of unaccompanied homeless youth in California and the academic barriers these young people face.

Key provisions

• Administration: The State Department of Education (SDE), in consultation with the State Department of Social Services (DSS) and county offices of education, will administer competitive grants as part of a pilot program.
• Grant term: Grants are structured as five‑year awards to local educational agencies (LEAs) that partner with local nonprofits.
• Geographic focus: Projects funded must serve one or more counties in each of the following regions: the San Joaquin Central Valley, northern California, and southern California.
• Target population: Unaccompanied homeless youth, with specific references to youth who are 16 and 17 years of age.
• Eligible uses of grant funds include:
  • Referrals to residential facilities with single‑occupant units that house minors separate from adults.
  • Provision of clothing, three nutritious meals per day, and transit stipends.
  • Educational support and tutoring via agreements with LEAs.
  • Case management; pre‑employment and employment training; independent living skills; health support and services.
  • Subsidies or rental payments for residential facilities.
• Funding preference: Priority for LEA–nonprofit partnerships where the nonprofit demonstrates (1) a record of effectively serving unaccompanied homeless youth, (2) longstanding successful partnerships with residential facilities, and (3) significant experience with this population.

Definitions (selected)

• “Local educational agency” = school district, county office of education, or charter school.
• “Nonprofit” = nonprofit public benefit corporation.
• “Unaccompanied homeless youth” = a minor not in the physical custody of a parent/guardian who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; also described in reporting terms as pupils identified as homeless during the academic year and not in parental/guardian care during that year at the selected reporting level.

Findings and Rationale (from bill)

• California reported the largest number of unaccompanied youth nationally in a 2023 survey (10,173).
• For 2023–24, LEAs reported 286,853 homeless pupils; 8,831 were unaccompanied youth (approx. 74% in grades 9–12).
• Homeless pupils face higher rates of suspension and chronic absence and lower postsecondary attainment.

Implementation & Impact

• The bill adds Article 11 (commencing with Section 54810) to the Education Code to establish the pilot.
• No specific funding amount is specified in the bill text; implementation depends on available appropriations and SDE rulemaking for grant processes.
• Aimed at expanding housing stability and educational support for older unaccompanied minors (primarily ages 16–17), with potential local and regional service partnerships among LEAs, nonprofits, and residential providers.

This summary highlights the bill’s core mechanics, intended beneficiaries, and procedural status for stakeholders evaluating its scope and potential impacts.