Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the purpose of the program is to help elementary students and secondary students avoid homelessness by identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable, permanent housing (Sec. 1).

• Requires the department to provide a local educational agency liaison for students experiencing homelessness designated under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements. The liaison shall (Sec. 1):

• Identify students who are at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless; and

• In addition to any federal assistance available, provide up to $750 per academic year to the family or guardian of a student at risk of homelessness for services authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, in addition to other housing-related needs such as rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs and other assistance that will help the student avoid homelessness.

• Appropriates $1.5 million to provide ongoing funds to help students avoid homelessness by providing liaisons designated under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 access to emergency financial assistance for the family of a student in an amount of up to $750 per student (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes the Student Homelessness Prevention Program within the Department of Education.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the purpose of the program is to help elementary students and secondary students avoid homelessness by identifying students and families of students who are at risk of homelessness and providing direct financial assistance to help them maintain stable, permanent housing (Sec. 1).

• Requires the department to provide a local educational agency liaison for students experiencing homelessness designated under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements. The liaison shall (Sec. 1):

• Identify students who are at risk of homelessness but not yet homeless; and

• In addition to any federal assistance available, provide up to $750 per academic year to the family or guardian of a student at risk of homelessness for services authorized under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001, in addition to other housing-related needs such as rental assistance, utilities, critical home repairs and other assistance that will help the student avoid homelessness.

• Appropriates $1.5 million to provide ongoing funds to help students avoid homelessness by providing liaisons designated under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act of 2001 access to emergency financial assistance for the family of a student in an amount of up to $750 per student (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text