The U.S. Senate on Nov. 29 unanimously approved a bipartisan resolution proposed by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that would designate November as National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month to spotlight the nation’s more than 1.2 million homeless students.
“Ensuring every child has a safe and secure home is a shared commitment that transcends party lines,” said Sen. Collins, the lead original cosponsor of Senate Resolution (S.Res.) 479, which U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) sponsored on Nov. 29 with 11 other original cosponsors.
“Ending homelessness among children and youth continues to be one of my top priorities, and we must work together to find common-sense solutions to this heartbreaking issue,” Sen. Manchin said. “I will continue fighting to end homelessness among children and youth in the Mountain State.”
S.Res. 479 is companion legislation to House Resolution 893, which was introduced on Nov. 28 by U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR). The Senate version now advances to the U.S. House of Representatives, where members will reconcile the two versions.
“This bipartisan resolution helps to increase awareness of the plight of homeless children and youth, reaffirms our commitment to provide all children with the same opportunity to succeed, and recognizes the hard work being done by businesses, organizations, schools, and volunteers to prevent youth homelessness,” added Sen. Collins.
The resolution is supported by numerous entities, including SchoolHouse Connection, the National Network 4 Youth, the National Coalition for the Homeless, the American Psychological Association Services, the National Center for Housing & Child Welfare, the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and the National Head Start Association, among many others.