Washington, D.C.— Today, Representative Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and 10 colleagues introduced the Mail Accessibility and Inclusion for Low-Income Families (MAIL) Act, new legislation to provide free post office boxes to individuals who are unhoused or experiencing homelessness, ensuring they have access to reliable mailing addresses, which is critical for securing jobs, housing, health care, food security programs, and other social services.
“Access to a mailbox is a basic need that many of us may take for granted,” said Rep. Schiff. “It is crucial to our everyday lives and connects so many to the services they rely on. But for unhoused Californians, not having a reliable mailing address can be a significant barrier to accessing essential services and job opportunities. My MAIL Act addresses this gap, providing a simple yet powerful tool to help these individuals connect with the resources they need.”
“As the Executive Director of AWHA and someone who has experienced homelessness firsthand, I strongly support the Mail Act as a vital resource for individuals navigating adulthood while facing homelessness. Access to important mail is essential for all people, particularly youth transitioning into adulthood, as it plays a critical role in obtaining employment, identification, maintaining family correspondence, and fulfilling various other crucial needs,” said Marcella J. Middleton, Executive Director, A Way Home America.
“Without a physical mailing address, people may be unable to receive vital documents such as state IDs, apply for jobs, or seek support from benefit programs. The federal government could do more to ensure that all people have reliable access to their mail. By providing free post office boxes, Rep. Schiff’s MAIL Act could simplify access to public benefits and tax credits for some people experiencing homelessness,” said Jesse Fairbanks, Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
“Providing reliable access to mail will connect vulnerable people with life-saving resources including vital prescriptions, food benefits, health insurance, housing opportunities, paystubs, ID cards, child support, voter information, and communications with loved ones. Western Center on Law & Poverty is proud to support this important bill to make post office boxes free for people experiencing housing insecurity,” said Keely O’Brien, Policy Advocate, Western Center on Law & Poverty.
Under Schiff’s MAIL Act, the United States Postal Service (USPS) will issue regulations within one year to offer post office boxes at no cost to eligible individuals. Eligibility criteria include proof of income not exceeding the poverty line or participation in various federal assistance programs such as Medicaid, SNAP, and housing assistance programs.
The MAIL Act is cosponsored by Representatives Tony Cárdenas (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.).
The legislation is also supported by A Way Home America, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Western Center on Law & Poverty, Covenant House, GLIDE, Larkin Street Youth Services, The Mockingbird Society, Episcopal Community Services of San Francisco, Simply the Basics, and Network for Public Education.
Read the full bill here.