New PUPP Act Authorizes $5 Million Annual Grants for Pet-Friendly Homeless Housing Starting 2026

The new Providing for Unhoused People and Pets Act of 2025—or the PUPP Act—is setting up a dedicated federal grant program to address a surprisingly common barrier in homeless services: the need to surrender a pet to access shelter. This bill authorizes $5 million annually, starting in Fiscal Year 2026 and running through 2030, to help local governments and non-profits create housing options that welcome companion animals.

The Pet Barrier: Why This Matters

For many people experiencing homelessness, a pet isn't just a companion; it's a critical lifeline, offering emotional support and security. But most shelters and interim housing facilities can't accept animals due to health codes, liability, or space constraints. This forces individuals to choose between accepting shelter and keeping their pet. The PUPP Act tackles this head-on by creating a competitive grant program, managed by the Secretary of Agriculture and HUD, specifically for buying, renovating, or building temporary or permanent housing that accommodates both people and their pets (SEC. 2).

What the Grant Money Actually Pays For

If your local city or a non-profit gets one of these grants, the money has to be spent on a few specific things. Beyond the physical structure, funds can cover the pet-related operating costs of the housing and even staff training on basic pet care, like nutrition and behavior. But the bill goes further than just allowing pets; it mandates care. Grantees must ensure occupants have access to necessary supportive services—think mental health aid and job assistance—and, crucially, that the animals receive basic veterinary care. This includes vaccinations, spaying/neutering, and treatment for common issues like fleas (SEC. 2. Housing Requirements for Grantees).

Who’s Getting the Check and Who’s Doing the Work

The grants are aimed at local government agencies or non-profits that already provide housing or shelter services. Interestingly, while animal welfare groups and shelters are explicitly barred from being the primary recipient of the funds, they are expected to partner with the eligible housing providers. This makes sense: the goal is to build housing, not just animal shelters. Grantees must also actively coordinate with their local Continuum of Care administrative entity, which is the group that coordinates all homeless services in a region, ensuring this new pet-friendly housing is integrated into the existing system.

The Fine Print: Where the Details Get Fuzzy

While this is a clear win for unhoused individuals with pets, there are a few areas that will rely heavily on interpretation. The bill requires housing to have “appropriate accommodations for the pets,” adding that this “might mean providing crates or kennels depending on the building's layout” (SEC. 2. Housing Requirements for Grantees). What counts as “appropriate” is left vague. Is a small crate in a shared room sufficient for a large dog? That will be up to the Secretary of Agriculture to define in the grant criteria. Also, while $5 million annually is a start, it’s a relatively small pot of money, meaning the grants will be highly competitive. Only the most organized and established local entities with detailed plans and veterinary partnerships are likely to secure funding.