A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The BLANKET Act aims to protect people experiencing homelessness during severe weather events. It creates a competitive grant program to help eligible entities expand and improve emergency shelter capacity. These grants can be used for warming and cooling centers, hotel vouchers, staffing, and emergency supplies. The bill authorizes $750 million for each fiscal year from 2027 through 2029. A GAO report will be required after five years to evaluate the program's effectiveness.
Yes· 3 of 32
- Scored +6
Is this likely to reduce homelessness?
Directly addresses the immediate survival needs of the unsheltered population during severe weather.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Directly benefits those at the lowest economic level experiencing homelessness.
- Scored +5
Does this make housing cost less?
Increases short-term emergency housing capacity through grants and vouchers.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases government spending by establishing a new grant program.
- Scored -2
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill authorizes new spending of $750 million annually from 2027 to 2029.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Protection from Severe Weather: The bill identifies that severe storms, heat waves, winter storms, flooding, wildfires, and cold snaps risk the lives of people experiencing homelessness. SEC. 2.
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Increased Shelter Access: By providing grants to expand emergency shelter capacity, the bill aims to prevent injury, reduce harm, and lower the strain on hospitals and emergency medical services. SEC. 2.
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Diverse Shelter Options: Grant funds can be used to finance vouchers for non-congregate shelters such as motels and hotels, as well as seasonal warming and cooling centers. SEC. 3(d).
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Essential Supplies and Support: Funds can be used to buy water, generators, heating and cooling equipment, air filtration, and emergency medical support. SEC. 3(d).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Competitive Nature of Funding: Because the grant program is "competitive," not all eligible entities or areas in need will receive funding. SEC. 3(a).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Directly benefits those at the lowest economic level experiencing homelessness. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Provides essential shelter and medical support for disabled individuals who are more vulnerable to weather. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Many grants likely target high-density urban areas with significant homeless populations. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact due to disproportionate representation of minorities in homeless populations. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact due to disproportionate representation of minorities in homeless populations. Would children be better off under this? — Protects homeless children from extreme temperatures. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact due to disproportionate representation of minorities in homeless populations. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Provides emergency shelter for vulnerable immigrants experiencing homelessness. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Provides emergency shelter for LGBTQ individuals who are often overrepresented in homelessness. Would men be better off under this? — Provides safe emergency shelter for men experiencing homelessness. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides emergency shelter for vulnerable middle-aged adults. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact due to disproportionate representation of minorities in homeless populations. Would retired people be better off under this? — Protects homeless retirees from extreme temperatures. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Provides potential funding for rural areas facing extreme weather events. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects homeless seniors from weather-related health risks. Would students be better off under this? — Provides support for students experiencing homelessness. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Provides survival support for homeless veterans during extreme weather. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Positive impact for white individuals experiencing homelessness. Would women be better off under this? — Provides safe emergency shelter for women experiencing homelessness. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Provides emergency shelter for vulnerable young adults. Would business owners be better off under this? — Benefits hotel and motel owners via voucher payments.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Directly addresses the immediate survival needs of the unsheltered population during severe weather. Does this make housing cost less? — Increases short-term emergency housing capacity through grants and vouchers. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides critical survival resources for those in extreme poverty experiencing homelessness.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Requires a GAO report to evaluate the effectiveness of the grant program. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — Provides funding to States and local governments to manage their own emergency responses. Does this give the federal government more power? — Establishes a new federal grant program administered by the Secretary.
- Healthcare
- Does this lower what a hospital stay costs? — Preventing severe weather injuries reduces the strain and cost of emergency room visits. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Provides emergency medical support and shelter for vulnerable populations during weather crises.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this improve help for people hit by a disaster? — Provides critical supplemental funding for emergency responses to extreme weather disasters.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Hotel and motel vouchers provide direct revenue to local lodging businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — Funding for shelter staffing and security personnel may create temporary or permanent employment. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases government spending by establishing a new grant program. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill authorizes new spending of $750 million annually from 2027 to 2029.
- 6/11/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
- Introduced in House