Congress funds emergency shelter for homeless during deadly weather
H.R. 9303 — BLANKET Act · Filed by Shri Thanedar (D-MI) · Introduced Jun 11, 2026 · Referred to committee
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What it does
This bill creates a new federal grant program to help states, cities, nonprofits, and housing agencies expand emergency shelter capacity during severe weather events (heat waves, winter storms, flooding, etc.). It authorizes $750 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2029 to fund temporary shelter expansion, hotel vouchers, staffing, supplies, and coordination with emergency services. The grants are competitive and awarded based on demonstrated need, past performance, and expected health benefits.
Why we flagged it
The bill's operative mechanism is straightforward: it establishes a competitive federal grant program to fund temporary emergency shelter capacity during severe weather. The title accurately reflects the function (BLANKET = Building Local Access for Needs in Key Emergency Temperatures).
What the text implies
- Grant awards are competitive and discretionary (Secretary determines 'appropriate' uses), creating potential for uneven geographic distribution and possible political influence in award decisions.
- The bill does not specify whether grant funds can be used to purchase or lease property long-term, potentially creating incentives for temporary rather than permanent shelter solutions.
The full analysis lists 4 implications of this text.
Who stands to gain
nonprofit homeless service organizations; state and local government agencies; hotel and motel operators (via voucher programs)