BLANKET Act

Key Points

• The BLANKET Act would create a new competitive grant program to help cities, states, nonprofits, and housing agencies expand emergency shelter capacity during dangerous weather events like heat waves, winter storms, floods, and wildfires.
• Grant money could be used for a wide range of emergency needs, including temporary shelter expansion, hotel vouchers, extra staff and security, generators, air filtration, heating and cooling equipment, and emergency medical support.
• The bill authorizes $750 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2029, totaling $2.25 billion over three years. However, Congress would still need to actually appropriate the money through the annual spending process.
• Applicants must demonstrate a clear need for expanded shelter and show they can coordinate with emergency management, public health, and local service providers. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the program's effectiveness within five years.
• The bill is designed to reduce injuries, deaths, and hospital strain caused when people experiencing homelessness are exposed to extreme weather without shelter.