April 23, 2021

Manchin: West Virginia To Receive $1.2 Million For Students Experiencing Homelessness In First Round Of American Rescue Plan Funding

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) participated in a roundtable with Department of Education Secretary Cardona, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and students from around the United States, including a student from West Virginia, to discuss the students’ own experiences with homelessness and the $800 million included in the American Rescue Plan that will help identify and assist students currently experiencing homelessness across the United States. West Virginia will receive $1,246,924 in the first round of funding.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional burdens for everyone but especially our students currently experiencing homelessness. I am pleased Secretary Cardona is moving quickly to get the $800 million I successfully fought to include in the American Rescue Plan to school systems so they can identify and assist homeless students in their schools. If we can’t find these students, we can’t provide the essential support and services they need. I won’t stop fighting to put a roof over every student’s head and ensure they have the tools to succeed. I look forward to continue working with my bipartisan colleagues as well as Secretary Cardona to help every student thrive,” said Senator Manchin.

Senator Manchin’s recent efforts to secure $800 million for students experiencing homelessness:

  • April 13, 2021: Senator Manchin led five bipartisan Senators in urging U.S. Department of Education Secretary Miguel Cardona to implement the $800 million fund included in the American Rescue Plan to support children and youth experiencing homelessness and to help schools identify and assist students experiencing homelessness due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • March 6, 2021: The Senate unanimously passed Senator Manchin’s bipartisan amendment to include $800 million in the American Rescue Plan to support students currently experiencing homelessness.
  • February 9, 2021: Senator Manchin introduced the bipartisan Emergency Family Stabilization Act to create a new emergency funding stream to provide flexible funding for community-based organizations working to meet the unique and challenging needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.

A timeline of Senator Manchin’s efforts to address children and youth homelessness can be found here.