Assessing the Relationship Between ARP-HCY Funding and Student Homelessness Identification in the Midwest

This study investigates how federal emergency funding influenced the identification of students experiencing homelessness in public schools. Using a comparative case study of Nebraska, Iowa, and Kansas, it analyzes state ARP-HCY allocation plans, expenditure patterns, and longitudinal identification data from 2016 to 2024 to assess whether differences in funding strategies translated into measurable changes in student identification. The analysis situates these findings within the broader framework of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, emphasizing how identification systems operate in practice and where breakdowns occur. By comparing variation in implementation with consistent outcome trends, the study evaluates the extent to which short-term federal investment can address systemic underidentification, ultimately highlighting the structural limitations that constrain policy effectiveness.