AK SJR17

Urges U.S. Congress to extend the deadline for obligating American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief - Homeless Children and Youth (ARP-HCY) funds from September 30, 2024 to at least September 30, 2025.

Notes that child and youth homelessness in Alaska has increased 14 percent since the COVID-19 pandemic began and currently affects over 3,500 students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12.

States Alaska received $2,300,000 in ARP-HCY funds, with 40 percent remaining unobligated, and that the current deadline forces schools to spend rapidly rather than effectively.

Calls on Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Representative Mary Peltola to lead efforts to extend the deadline to allow more impactful and equitable use of the funds.