Law Center Testifies at Congressional Briefing

Executive Director Maria Foscarinis Joins Panel of Experts on Needs of Homeless Youths

On Tuesday, March 6, Law Center Executive Director Maria Foscarinis participated in a Capital Hill Briefing on the needs of homeless youths.

The briefing, hosted by Representative Danny K. Davis (IL-07) and featuring Representative Judy Biggert (IL-13), convened Members of Congress, government officials, and advocates in the field to discuss the startling increase in homeless youths across the country and what can be done to help them.

From 2007 to 2010, schools reported a 38 percent increase in the numbers of homeless students served, with the latest tally nearing 1 million.  The 2011 data, which will be released this spring, is expected to show another significant increase.  Unfortunately, this troubling number still significantly undercounts homeless students, because so many schools lack the resources to identify them.

Congress appropriates $65 million per year to help schools identify and provide services to homeless students, but that is not enough.  With need increasing significantly, the Law Center is calling on Congress to double that amount to ensure every child who needs help gets it.

The Law Center is also calling on Congress to make the definition of homelessness consistent across government agencies.  Right now, many students who are considered homeless by the Department of Education are considered "housed" by HUD.  For instance, children who live in motels or are constantly moving from place to place are not treated as homeless by HUD because they have a "roof over their heads."  As a result, these children are not accessing services from HUD, and their homelessness is not being addressed in a comprehensive way.

There is a common sense solution to this.  HR 32, a cost-free bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Biggert and co-sponsored by Members of both parties, would make children and youth and their families eligible for HUD assistance if they are already being served by another federal program.  The Law Center strongly supports this vital bill.

Addressing the needs of homeless children and youths is a responsibility of all of us as Americans.  This briefing was an important recognition of that.