# The PUPP Act of 2022: Housing for Homeless People with Pets

Many people experiencing homelessness face an impossible choice: give up their beloved pets or stay on the streets. This bill tackles that problem by creating a federal grant program to help build and upgrade housing specifically designed for homeless individuals and families who have pets.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development would award grants to local governments, nonprofits, and homeless service organizations to acquire, renovate, or build housing that welcomes people with pets. The money can be used to physically modify buildings to accommodate animals—adding pet areas, kennels, or other appropriate spaces—and to cover the costs of running these facilities. This is important because most traditional homeless shelters don't allow pets, forcing people to choose between shelter and their animals.

The housing funded by these grants must provide more than just a roof. Residents would have access to supportive services like mental health counseling, job training, and substance abuse treatment. Equally important, the bill requires on-site or easily accessible veterinary care for the pets, including basic checkups, vaccinations, spaying and neutering, dental care, and flea and tick prevention. The housing managers must also coordinate with local animal care providers and work with the existing homeless services network in their area to identify and help people who need this type of housing.

The bill authorizes $5 million per year from 2023 through 2026 to fund these grants. While this is a relatively modest amount, it represents a recognition that pet ownership shouldn't be a barrier to getting off the streets. For homeless individuals who view their pets as family members or emotional support animals, this program could be genuinely life-changing, allowing them to access shelter without abandoning their companions.

PUPP Act of 2022

Crow, Jason

Providing for Unhoused People with Pets Act of 2022 or the PUPP Act of 2022 This bill permits the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants for interim and permanent housing that accommodates individuals (or families) who are homeless and have pets. Entities eligible for the grant include local governments, nonprofits, and entities that house or shelter homeless individuals.