Reps. Jacobs and Bacon, Sens. Murkowski, Sullivan, Manchin Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Address Student Homelessness
Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02), Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) introduced bipartisan and bicameral legislation 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.
Rep. Sara Jacobs said: “Last school year, nearly 18,500 San Diego County students experienced homelessness. We need to use targeted strategies to address this crisis instead of a one-size-fits-all approach because different communities experiencing homelessness – from students to families to veterans – need different types of support to find permanent, safe housing. That’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan and bicameral legislation to extend critical American Rescue Plan funding that’s already been allocated to school districts 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.”