1.37 Million and Rising: Understanding the National 25% Spike in Student Homelessness
Introduction
What do we know about the nearly 1.4 million students experiencing homelessness in the U.S.?
Our latest brief, “1.37 Million and Rising: Understanding the National 25% Spike in Student Homelessness” explores national patterns for housing insecure youth across the U.S. Students without stable housing, one of several highly mobile student populations, are more likely to miss school, face disciplinary actions, and fall behind academically. Yet many remain invisible in national education data.
This brief builds upon our research on students experiencing homelessness in California, the epicenter of the student homelessness crisis, and highly mobile youth—including an overview of these student populations and an accompanying policy brief—to uplift the importance of their stability and success.
Understanding these trends is crucial to advancing educational equity. This is critical reading for anyone shaping education policy or practice—from the classroom to the Capitol.
Findings
U.S. schools reported the highest numbers of students experiencing homelessness ever recorded after the 2022–23 school year, the highest in the last decade.
25%
surge in student homelessness after the onset of the pandemic between 2020-21 and 2022-23 school years.
Black and Latine students are more likely to experience homelessness.
40%
of all students experiencing homelessness are Latine, though they made up just 29% of the total student population.
25%
of students experiencing homelessness are Black, despite comprising only 15% of all enrolled students.
Students experiencing homelessness are more likely to have a disability, be an English Learner, experience migration, or navigate life without a parent or guardian.
22%
of students experiencing homelessness are English Learners, doubling since Fall 2021.
Students experiencing homelessness are 2X as likely to also be migrant students compared to their housed peers.
Strategic Priorities for Change
Federal Actions
Maintain and increase federal funding for programs like the McKinney-Vento Act.
Align federal definitions of homelessness to improve identification and service eligibility.
Provide clear guidance to states and districts on identifying and supporting students who experience homelessness.
Support national data collection and research to inform policy and practice.
Reduce administrative burden on local agencies through streamlined processes and support.
Cross-Sector Priorities
Strengthen coordination across systems—education, housing, health, and human services.
Prioritize equity by addressing the disproportionate impact on Black, Latine, and other marginalized youth.
Address root causes like housing and job insecurity, mental health needs, and immigration-related barriers.
Ensure schools have the resources to provide consistent, stable, and inclusive learning environments.
Related Work
