A bipartisan “Dear Colleague” letter is circulating in the U.S. House of Representatives calling for $800 million for the McKinney-Vento Act’s Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) program and $300 million for the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) program in the FY2023 budget. These are the only two federal programs focused specifically on child and youth homelessness.
Take Action Now!
Please urge your U.S. Representative today to sign on to the Yarmuth-Bacon-Davis letter in support of funding for children and youth experiencing homelessness.
The deadline for the House letter is April 22, 2022.
- Use this action form to urge your U.S. Representative to sign-on to the Yarmuth/Bacon/Davis Dear Colleague Letter.
For more information, or for assistance contacting your U.S. Representative, please contact Alleanne Anderson.
About EHCY
The EHCY program removes barriers to the enrollment, participation, and success of children and youth experiencing homelessness. An $800 million appropriation is only 1% of the federal K12 education budget, but would maintain the level of funding provided by a bipartisan amendment to the American Rescue Plan Act. The ARP Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds have been instrumental in meeting the growing needs of students experiencing homelessness in the wake of the pandemic, including through wraparound services. An equal level of funding in the FY2023 budget would allow more school districts to sustain and advance the considerable progress that the ARP-HCY funds are making possible.
About RHYA
RHYA programs prevent trafficking, identify survivors, and provide services to runaway, homeless, and disconnected youth, yet only 25% of applicants currently receive funding. Through the excellent work of local street outreach, shelter, transitional living programs, and maternity group homes, these vital programs help homeless youth and parents access education, employment, personal savings, and family reconnection services. With an increased appropriation, young people will be empowered to thrive as they transition to adulthood.
The Dear Colleague letter is authored by U.S. Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Danny Davis (D-IL).
The more U.S. Representatives who sign on to the letter, the greater the show of support for enacting these critical funding levels in the FY23 budget.