Enacts the "youth employment empowerment act (YEEA)"

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Kristen Gonzalez says this is needed

We are experiencing a national affordability crisis. Rents are rapidly increasing, the average age for a first-time homeowner has reached new heights, all the while wages remain stagnant. In 2022, the Census Bureau found that 55% of young adults between the ages of 18-24 were living with their parents. In facing these realities, we need to ensure people and families who live in affordable, public housing aren't displaced or face an increase in rent due to young adults seeking employment. Due to the federal rules around public housing, the income of a household is calculated using all members of the family, with carveouts for children under 18. The goal of this bill is to allow our young people aged 18-21 to enter the job market and gain job experience while protecting their housing through a subsidy that would help families who could be displaced due to the income of their household increasing or the increase in rent due to income changes. Through this PILOT program, we can empower young adults to enter the job market, gain valuable work experience, and build financial stability without fear of losing their housing.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.