REP. SARA JACOBS LEADS BIPARTISAN PUSH TO EXTEND PANDEMIC FUNDS TO ADDRESS STUDENT HOMELESSNESS
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) led a bipartisan push to extend federal funding passed through the American Rescue Plan for students experiencing homelessness. Since the pandemic, child and youth homelessness has increased by at least 16%, creating a greater and pressing need for targeted support for students experiencing homelessness. Last school year, nearly 18,500 San Diego County students experienced homelessness. These funds have helped address chronic absence, mental health issues, and other needs by having the flexibility to provide short-term housing like hotel stays, transportation, school supplies, and other wrap-around services.
Read Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Letter Here
Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Our housing and homelessness challenges in San Diego are clear, but too often, we talk about the community experiencing homelessness as a monolith. The reality is that anyone can experience homelessness, and different groups – from students to families to veterans – need different resources to secure permanent, safe housing. That’s why I’m proud to lead this bipartisan push in the House to extend critical American Rescue Plan funding so schools can flexibly address students’ growing needs and have more time to implement and sustain innovative programming to address student homelessness in the long run. Together, we can end homelessness, but to do it, we need to ensure our communities have the resources and flexibility they need to support targeted strategies.”
The letter is endorsed by the following organizations: SchoolHouse Connection, EDGE Consulting Partners, The Education Trust, National Black Justice Coalition, Institute for Educational Leadership, Coalition for Community Schools, First Focus Campaign for Children, National Network for Youth, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, Afterschool Alliance, Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents [ALAS], Educators for Excellence, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), National Association of Counsel for Children, The Family Focused Treatment Association, American Psychological Association Services, and Education Reform Now.
Later tonight, Rep. Sara Jacobs will bring Erika Malone, the Director of Creative Youth Development and Community Engagement at the Monarch School – the only K-12 school in the nation that exclusively serves students experiencing homelessness – as her guest to the State of the Union.