Ayotte Helps Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Youth Homelessness & Trafficking
Press Release
U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte recently helped introduce bipartisan legislation to curb youth homelessness and help victims of human trafficking in New Hampshire and nationwide. The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act was reintroduced by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Susan Collins (R-ME). Senator Ayotte is an original co-sponsor of the bill.
Homelessness affects an estimated 1.6 million youth across the country. The Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act would reauthorize important programs to help states and local communities address the needs of homeless youth through emergency shelter, basic life necessities, family interventions, and longer-term housing options.
"No child should have to go without a home, yet right now in New Hampshire, one in every four homeless people are children. That's a heartbreaking statistic," Senator Ayotte said. "We need to find solutions to this pervasive problem, including strategies to address issues like human trafficking and sexual exploitation that can sometimes lead to or coexist with homelessness. By reauthorizing these critical programs, we can help families in New Hampshire and across the nation overcome homelessness and lead independent, fulfilling lives."
Erin Kelly, Program Director for Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, said: "On behalf of Child and Family Services of New Hampshire, I would like to thank Senator Ayotte for cosponsoring the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act. This legislation allows Child and Family Services of New Hampshire the opportunity to be a lifeline to over 1500 at-risk New Hampshire youth and young adults each year, helping them to transform their lives and redirect their futures."
Amanda Grady Sexton, Director of Public Policy for the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, said: "We applaud Senator Ayotte for her ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Crisis Centers in New Hampshire see the very real effects of these crimes on New Hampshire's youth, and encourage the reauthorization of these life-saving programs."
Senator Ayotte was a cosponsor of this legislation last Congress.
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