New report finds hundreds of school districts experiencing drastic increases in the numbers of homeless children in their classrooms; Members of Congress call for action.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A new report released today has found that school districts across the country have experienced a significant spike in the number of homeless students. The report centers around a voluntary survey conducted during the fall of 2008 by the
National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth and First Focus.

The survey found the following information in just the first two to three months of the school year:

• 330 school districts identified the same number or more homeless students in the first few months of this school year than they identified the entire previous year.
• 847 school districts identified one half or more of last year’s caseload of homeless students in the first few months of this school year.
• 459 school districts had an increase of at least 25 percent in the number of homeless students identified between the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 school years.

“This survey largely confirms what we already know about the number of students becoming homeless – it’s grown exponentially,” said Bruce Lesley, president of First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. “More important than the numbers may be the long and serious list of challenges, including lack of staff, insufficient shelter space and housing, and the diminishing community services and supplies available to homeless children, made worse by state budget constraints during this recession. Indeed, now is the
time for the federal government to take action that states cannot afford to take through support for homeless prevention, Section 8 housing, and funding for school districts to assist homeless students so that they do not lose their education as well as their homes. Now
more than ever, we need to provide students with those supports so that they need will grow and succeed,” Lesley continued.

“Public schools are among the most accurate barometers of family and youth homelessness,” said Tim Stahlke, President of the National Association for the Education
of Homeless Children and Youth. “No other entity has the same level of daily contact with children, youth, and families. These numbers are alarming so early in the school year, especially when the economic crisis is far from over.”

He added, “Education offers our children and youth the best chance of escaping poverty and avoiding homelessness as adults. We must provide the supports our students need to enroll, attend, and succeed in school.”

As part of the survey, school districts reported the challenges associated with increases in homelessness. These include the rising transportation costs and logistical challenges that are associated with ensuring homeless children have access to their school of origin, as well as a lack of staffing necessary to identify and support children and youth experiencing homelessness. Moreover, schools have reported that while the severity of the need increases, available shelter space and low-income housing is decreasing, as well as reductions
in other community services and supplies.

Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) said: “The rise in homeless school children is another devastating piece of collateral damage from the housing crisis. Children who are uprooted from schools, teachers and classmates that they have grown accustomed to will be set back
in their educational and social development. We should do everything we can to make sure they can stay in their schools and are supported, and I am working toward that end in Congress. I applaud the National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and First Focus for highlighting this important issue for the education of our nation’s youth.”

“In the midst of our actions to address the immediate economic and housing crises, we must not lose sight of the significant effect this recession is having on our children and youth,” Lesley added. “While the federal government invests in our financial institutions, auto
industry, and takes other measures to stimulate the economy, we must remember that children also need a significant investment, for this immediate crisis and for our nation’ long-term future.”

This week, First Focus released another report finding that the United States will suffer a futureeconomic loss of over $1.7 trillion if the current recession drives an additional 3 million children into poverty, as has been predicted. In addition, in April, First Focus released a report revealing that more than 2 million American Children will be impacted by the foreclosure crisis.

“This report reveals how our nation’s economic crisis is making the existing crisis of child and youth homelessness far worse,” said Senator Patty Murray (D-WA). “Especially considering the status of state budgets, the federal government should partner with states
and districts to provide additional resources to meet the needs of these vulnerable young
people.”

“For many homeless children, school is the only source of real stability in their lives,” said U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL-13), a senior member of the House Education and Labor and House Financial Services Committees. “With so many families facing tremendous economic challenges, it’s critical that Congress provide the housing and other supportive services needed to keep our children in the classroom and off the streets. Being without a home should not mean being without an education or a chance at a brighter future.”

Click here to download a copy of the report: “The Economic Crisis Hits Home”