Here are 10 steps, recommended by national organizations, that the federal government can take right now to end and prevent homelessness.

1. Assist currently homeless people by reauthorizing and doubling funds for HUD McKinney-Vento programs.
2. Create housing for low-income households by enacting a National Housing Trust Fund.
3. Protect, preserve, and expand existing federal housing programs that serve the lowest-income people.
4. Appropriate funds for at least 5,000 Section 8 housing vouchers forhomeless veterans through the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program.
5. Expand access to addiction and mental health services for people experiencing homelessness through reauthorization of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
6. Increase homeless and low-income persons’ access to healthcare by reauthorizing and expanding the Consolidated Health Centers program.
7. Increase homeless persons’ access to mainstream disability income, temporary assistance, and workforce investment services.
8. Provide homeless children and youth with increased services and support by reauthorizing the Education for Homeless Children and Youth program in the No Child Left Behind Act and the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act.
9. Require the Administration to develop and publish a coordinated federal plan to end homelessness.
10. Require jurisdictions receiving federal housing funds to protect the civil rights of homeless persons.