Fostering the Future Act
Bill journey · stage 2 of 5
Under committee review
What it doesSummary reported to house (May 11, 2026)
Foster Youth Housing Opportunity Act
This bill expands states' permissible uses of federal funds under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee program) to include supportive housing services.
The Chafee program is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Children's Bureau and provides funding to support youth and young adults who are in, or were formerly in, foster care with their transition to adulthood. The program is funded through formula grants awarded to child welfare agencies in states, certain territories, and participating tribes.
The bill allows states to use such funds to provide supportive services (e.g., financial counseling) for youth up to the age of 26 who are seeking to obtain or retain housing and who have experienced foster care and receive assistance under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 Family Unification Program.
Additionally, HHS and HUD must jointly develop and issue guidance to state public child welfare agencies and public housing authorities to improve alignment and coordination of housing supportive services.
HHS, in consultation with HUD, also must report information about foster youth who are receiving federal housing assistance and the outcomes for such youth, including the extent to which such youth are able to access stable housing and the rates of homelessness. The report must include findings from any evaluations of state programs and recommendations for improving coordination between public child welfare agencies and federal housing programs.
What just happenedMay 20, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Who’s behind it
- Referred in SenateMay 20, 2026
- Engrossed in HouseMay 19, 2026
- Reported in HouseMay 11, 2026
- Introduced in HouseFeb 9, 2026
- May 20, 2026IntroReferral
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Finance Committee - May 19, 2026FloorH38800
The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- May 19, 2026FloorH38310
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- May 19, 2026FloorH37300
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3558-3560)
- May 19, 2026Floor8000
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3558-3560)
- May 19, 2026FloorH8D000
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7432.
- May 19, 2026FloorH30000
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3558-3564)
- May 19, 2026FloorH30300
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- May 11, 2026CalendarsH12410
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 560.
- May 11, 2026DischargeH12300
Committee on Financial Services discharged.
Financial Services Committee - May 11, 2026Committee5500
Committee on Financial Services discharged.
Financial Services Committee - May 11, 2026CommitteeH12200
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-643, Part I.
Ways and Means Committee - May 11, 2026Committee5000
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-643, Part I.
Ways and Means Committee - Apr 29, 2026Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
Ways and Means Committee - Apr 29, 2026Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ways and Means Committee - Feb 9, 2026IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Financial Services Committee - Feb 9, 2026IntroReferralH11100
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Ways and Means Committee - Feb 9, 2026IntroReferralIntro-H
Introduced in House
- Feb 9, 2026IntroReferral1000
Introduced in House