Introduction to Homelessness in NYC Schools
A homeless man sits in Chelsea.
Photo by Dean Moses
More than 154,000 NYC public school students were homeless last year, according to a report published on Monday by the Advocates for Children of New York (AFC). That number is nearly one in every seven students enrolled in the nation’s largest public school system.
The Scope of the Problem
The shocking statistic made the 2024-2025 school year the 10th consecutive year in which more than 100,000 students did not have a permanent place to call home. It was also the first academic year in which the total number of kids in temporary housing exceeded 150,000. The report, based on data from the NYS Education Department, comes at a time when NYC families are struggling to afford basic needs, including shelter and food. Families even struggled to purchase school supplies last month, marked by countless backpack and supply giveaways throughout the city.
Breakdown of Homeless Students
According to the new report, nearly 65,000 homeless children spent time living in city shelters last year. More than 82,000 were “doubled up,” or temporarily shared housing with others. The overall rate increased from the previous school year and was highest in Bronx schools, followed by those in Manhattan. At the community school district level, more than one in five students was identified as homeless at schools in East Harlem (District 4), Highbridge and Grand Concourse (District 9), Brownsville (District 23), and Bushwick (District 32) during the 2024–25 school year.
Impact on Academic Success
Researchers who did the study said that when students are homeless or live in shelters, they face “tremendous obstacles” to their academic success. Studies have shown that absenteeism increases, grades go down and the likelihood of high-school graduation rates decrease. “Based on data for the 2023-2024 school year and educational outcome, one in eight students in shelter dropped out of high school,” Jennifer Pringle, who directs AFC’s work with students in temporary housing, said. “This is three times the drop-out rate of their permanently housed peers.” She added that their four-year graduation rate was 62% compared to 85% for permanently housed students. Homeless children face persistent challenges in trying to overcome educational barriers.
Challenges Faced by Homeless Students
“For example, 40% of families in shelter are placed in a different borough from where the children go to school,” Pringle explained. “Not a different neighborhood, not a different community school district — a different borough.” This can lead to significant challenges in accessing education, including transportation issues and difficulties in maintaining consistency in their academic environment.
Addressing the Issue
Following the comprehensive report, advocates called on the city government to do more to help families struggling with homelessness. Christine Quinn, president and CEO of Win, which provides housing and services for homeless families, called the rising number of homeless students a “moral failure and a stark indictment” on the city. “We know that homeless students face an uphill climb, from battling chronic absenteeism to struggling to meet the benchmarks their housed peers routinely meet,” she said. A new mayoral administration could bring more opportunities to address the issue, advocates said. Maria Odom, executive director of AFC, even said the city is “currently failing students” who live in shelters.
Call to Action
“Ensuring students who are homeless receive the support they need to be successful in school must be a top priority for the next mayor, who must lead a citywide, cross-agency effort to break down bureaucratic silos, reverse these alarming trends, and ensure students experiencing homelessness can get to school every day and receive the educational support they need to succeed,” she said. Quinn called for strong action from City Hall. “As our city prepares to welcome a new mayor, we have a ripe opportunity to bring new attention to this crisis and to finally end the family homelessness epidemic,” she said. “I urge our leaders in City Hall to embrace bold, new solutions to get more families into permanent homes and to end this crisis once and for all.”
Conclusion
The issue of homelessness among NYC public school students is a pressing concern that requires immediate attention and action from city leaders. With over 154,000 students experiencing homelessness, it is crucial that the city develops and implements effective strategies to provide these students with the support they need to succeed academically. By addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing adequate resources and services, the city can help ensure that all students, regardless of their housing situation, have the opportunity to thrive.
FAQs
Q: How many NYC public school students were homeless last year?
A: More than 154,000 NYC public school students were homeless last year.
Q: What is the percentage of students who are homeless in NYC public schools?
A: Nearly one in every seven students enrolled in the nation’s largest public school system is homeless.
Q: What are the challenges faced by homeless students in accessing education?
A: Homeless students face challenges such as absenteeism, lower grades, and decreased likelihood of high-school graduation. They also face difficulties in accessing education due to transportation issues and placement in different boroughs from their schools.
Q: What is being done to address the issue of homelessness among NYC public school students?
A: Advocates are calling on the city government to do more to help families struggling with homelessness, including providing housing and services for homeless families and implementing policies to support students experiencing homelessness.
Q: What can be done to support homeless students in NYC public schools?
A: The city can provide additional resources and services, such as transportation assistance, tutoring, and counseling, to help homeless students succeed academically. The city can also work to address the root causes of homelessness and provide permanent housing solutions for families.
