PRINTER'S NO. 2249

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

255

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY BULLOCK, KAZEEM, MADDEN, MAJOR, KHAN,

R. MACKENZIE, GUENST, McNEILL, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, HILL-EVANS AND

PARKER, NOVEMBER 2, 2023

WHEREAS, In the 2022-2023 school year, 40,003 students in

Pennsylvania schools were identified as without adequate

housing; and

WHEREAS, This represents a more than 20% increase from the

2020-2021 school year; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to educate the

public about the prevalence of students experiencing

homelessness, the barriers that may prevent youths from

attending school and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act

(Public Law 100-77, 101 Stat. 482), which all schools must

organizations need public support; and

WHEREAS, There are many organizations committed to sheltering

and providing support services, meals and food supplies to

people experiencing homelessness; and

WHEREAS, However, very few of these support services are

specific to the needs of unaccompanied minors; and

WHEREAS, Many shelters will not accept a child under 18 years

of age without the company of a parent or guardian; and

WHEREAS, There is still a dire need for additional resources

to assist students experiencing homelessness to attend school

WHEREAS, The purpose of "Pennsylvania Education for Students

Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" is to encourage

schools, communities and individuals to plan for and support

assistance programs for youths experiencing homelessness as they

look to complete their education; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

week of November 13 through 17, 2023, as "Pennsylvania Education

for Students Experiencing Homelessness Awareness Week" and

November 15, 2023, as "Red Shirt Day" in Pennsylvania; and be it

further