Apply Now: New ARP Funds for Students Experiencing Homelessness
The Department of Education is inviting states and school districts to apply for the second round of American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding for students experiencing homelessness.
The Homeless Children and Youth Fund (ARP-HCY) totals $800 million. The first $200 million was released in April, and the rest will be available before the 2021-2022 school year. The Education Department aims to reach districts that may not have accessed previous federal funding for students experiencing homelessness.
The funding is flexible and can be used to:
- Identify homeless children and youth;
- Provide wraparound services in light of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- Provide assistance to enable homeless children and youth to attend school and participate fully in school activities.
The application can be found here.
The funds will be disbursed to states and then awarded to school districts through formula subgrants. With the exception of the district subgranting formula, which replaces the competitive subgrant process required by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, all other requirements of that law apply to the ARP-HCY funds.
“I encourage every state to urgently use these American Rescue Plan funds to support homeless children and youth so that these students have every chance to participate in summer learning and enrichment; experience full-time, in-person instruction in their schools in the fall; and get connected to vital services and supports that can support their success,” said Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a press release.
The American Rescue Plan also provides funding for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) Fund and the Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund. Both can be used to support students experiencing homelessness. Read how.
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