Bipartisan, bicameral letters were sent this week by Members of Congress to House and Senate leadership requesting support for children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness in the next COVID-19 relief legislation that Congress approves. The House letter was led by the U.S. Representatives John Yarmuth (D-KY), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Danny K. Davis (D-IL); the Senate letter was led by U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ).
The letters request specific support through the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act program, Trafficking Prevention, and a new Family Stabilization Fund through the Administration for Children and Families at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Now more than ever, these children, youth, and families need our attention. They have been largely left out of previous coronavirus legislation, including the CARES Act and the HEROES Act. Most children and youth experiencing homelessness are not eligible for a majority of services provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Emergency Solutions Grant, nor does this program meet their unique and complex needs. In addition, education funding provided through the CARES Act and the HEROES Act is not targeted to children and youth experiencing homelessness; without targeting, and in light of competing demands, these funds are unlikely to reach these highly mobile and vulnerable students who are at great risk of lasting harm, including dropping out of school.
Action Needed
Please take one minute now to urge your U.S. Representative and your U.S. Senators to support homeless and trafficked children, youth, and families in the next coronavirus relief legislation.
- Use this simple form to enter your zip code, personalize a template letter, and hit “send” to deliver a message to your U.S. Representative and U.S. Senators
- Please share this alert as widely as possible with your networks.
U.S. Representatives and U.S. Senators also may be reached through the U.S Capitol Switchboard at 202.224.3121.