Us Congress Senate Bill SR920

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Caption

A resolution designating November 2024 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month".

Impact

By designating November as an Awareness Month, SR920 aims to foster greater engagement and support from various stakeholders—educators, volunteers, and advocates—who can collectively work toward addressing the root causes and consequences of homelessness among children and youth. The acknowledgment of the severity of youth homelessness seeks to spur public discourse and policy development that prioritize educational and support services for affected populations, which is crucial in mitigating the cyclical nature of homelessness and educational disruption.

Summary

SR920 is a resolution designating November 2024 as 'National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month.' The bill recognizes the pressing issue of youth homelessness in the United States, highlighting alarming statistics revealing nearly 1.4 million enrolled homeless children and youth during the 2022 to 2023 school year. This marks a 14 percent increase from the previous year, indicating an urgent need for increased awareness and action. The resolution calls for a concerted effort from businesses, governments, and community organizations to raise awareness about the complexities of youth homelessness and to support initiatives aimed at prevention and assistance.

Contention

While the resolution itself does not create legislation or allocate funds, it underscores significant issues such as the connection between homelessness and education, mental health, and the broader socio-economic factors contributing to both. Supporters of SR920 argue that raising awareness is the first critical step in tackling homelessness effectively, allowing communities to identify specific needs and resources. However, there may be contention regarding how effectively awareness campaigns translate into actionable programs and funding that adequately address the systemic issues underlying youth homelessness.