Chairman Scott Highlights Newly Released American Rescue Plan Funding for Students Experiencing Homelessness

Press Release

WASHINGTON -- Chairman Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03) praised the Biden Administration's release of $600 million in funding to support student experiencing homelessness, including $10 million for Virginia students. The funding was provided by Congress under American Rescue Plan, which set aside a total of $800 million to help identify and support students and young people who lack stable housing.

The Education Department released the first $200 million in funding in April. With today's announcement, Virginia will receive a total of $13 million through American Rescue Plan to support students experiencing homelessness. In the Richmond, Virginia region, the number of people experiencing homelessness increased by 53 percent, from 546 people in January 2020 to 838 people in January 2021. This data is indicative of the barriers facing housing-insecure students and young people.

"Students who lack stable housing face severe challenges that can snowball into a lifetime of hardship," said Chairman Scott. "The COVID-19 pandemic has put those young people at even greater risk. By providing states additional resources to identify and help students experiencing homelessness, we have an opportunity to intervene at a pivotal time in their lives. In the words of Frederick Douglass, "it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.'"

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