Annual Reports

In 2025, SchoolHouse Connection navigated one of the most challenging federal policy environments in recent memory — and emerged stronger. From protecting $129 million in EHCY funding to launching BEACON and the national Family Shelter Community of Practice, we deepened our impact across every focus area. Through bold advocacy, practical tools, and the powerful voices of young people, we helped 1.5 million children and youth experiencing homelessness hold on to the safety, stability, and opportunity of public education. This report tells that story.

In 2024, SchoolHouse Connection deepened our impact and broadened our reach—supporting children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness from prenatal to postsecondary. Through strategic policy wins, hands-on assistance, student-led advocacy, and powerful partnerships, we helped thousands access the resources and stability they need to thrive. This report captures our biggest accomplishments and the stories behind them.

In 2023, some of our achievements include launching a comprehensive communications and research project to spotlight early childhood homelessness, influencing the development of action plans in six states to increase support for homeless infants and toddlers, and continuing to refine a referral app to boost Head Start enrollments. SHC’s advocacy at the federal and state levels resulted in significant policy advancements, including successful advocacy for the clarification of ARP-HCY fund usage, ensuring the educational needs of over 1.2 million identified homeless students are met. Moreover, SHC played a pivotal role in advancing FAFSA Simplification Act policies, benefiting homeless and foster youth in higher education.

In 2022, significant achievements included pioneering state data analysis on infant and toddler homelessness, overseeing the $800 million allocation for youth homelessness in the American Rescue Plan Act, advocating for removing financial aid barriers for homeless and foster youth, and advancing bills in four states to enhance the education of homeless students nationwide.

In 2021, accomplishments included advocating for and strategically using the $800 million American Rescue Plan Act Homeless Children and Youth Funding, enacting 14 state policy reforms benefiting 88,224 homeless youth in 11 states, increasing young children’s Head Start program enrollment in six states through an app, and involving Youth Leadership & Scholarship recipients in various initiatives.

Despite the ongoing challenges of 2020, including COVID-19, economic crisis, systemic racism, and political divisions, we draw strength from our collective accomplishments, highlighting the power of unity and providing valuable resources and inspiration for the common goal of addressing homelessness through education.

In our third year, we expanded our impact through tangible and intangible means, surpassing goals, empowering educators and young people as agents of change, emphasizing effective practices, and fostering relationships across differences, leading to the accomplishments described in this annual report.

In 2018, SchoolHouse Connection achieved several milestones, such as launching the Education Leads Home campaign, testifying at a Congressional hearing for homeless assistance reform, and partnering with Sesame Street in Communities for a homelessness initiative.

SchoolHouse Connection’s first year was a success, with important policy achievements, robust technical assistance, and leadership from young people in all our programs. Our first annual report provides year-end highlights, goals for the future, and information about our financial status.