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Federal Policy on Students Experiencing Homelessness: Early Action for States in Response to Recent Changes. A Bellwether Memo

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Title: Federal Policy on Students Experiencing Homelessness: Early Action for States in Response to Recent Changes. A Bellwether Memo
Language: English
Authors: Kelly Robson Foster, Teresa Mooney, Bellwether
Source: Bellwether. 2025.
Availability: Bellwether. 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 877-636-0909; Web site: https://bellwether.org/
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 22
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Descriptors: Homeless People, State Policy, State Aid, Public Policy, Federal Legislation, Educational Legislation, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Aid, Emergency Programs, COVID-19, Pandemics, Social Services, Low Income Students, Federal Programs
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 1987, Every Student Succeeds Act 2015, American Rescue Plan Act 2021, Head Start
Abstract: As of the 2022-23 school year (SY), approximately 1.37 million pre-K through Grade 12 students in the United States -- nearly 3% of the total pre-K through Grade 12 population -- were identified as experiencing homelessness. Homelessness affects a diverse range of young people across America. Students experiencing homelessness often face far greater academic, social, emotional, and basic needs challenges than their peers with stable housing. The unpredictability of their living situations can result in frequent school absences and midyear transfers, disrupting both learning and continuity. In SY22-23, nearly half of students experiencing homelessness were chronically absent, missing 10% or more of school days. Housing instability, often coupled with poverty, also increases the risk of food insecurity and makes it more difficult for students to access essential health care. Those experiencing homelessness face a higher likelihood of engaging in substance use and risky sexual behavior, are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or attempts, and are more frequently exposed to violence compared to their stably housed peers. Ultimately, these intersecting challenges create significant barriers to learning, with students experiencing homelessness consistently scoring lower in reading, math, and science compared to their stably housed peers. The student homeless population is particularly vulnerable, demanding targeted support from local, state, and federal governments. Amid ongoing federal uncertainty, it is more important than ever for state and local leaders to step up and ensure that students experiencing homelessness receive the stability, resources, and educational opportunities they deserve. This memo outlines key policy changes that will impact students experiencing homelessness and options state policymakers should prioritize to support them.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: ED674197
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Federal Policy on Students Experiencing Homelessness: Early Action for States in Response to Recent Changes. A Bellwether Memo
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kelly+Robson+Foster%22">Kelly Robson Foster</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Teresa+Mooney%22">Teresa Mooney</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bellwether%22">Bellwether</searchLink>
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  Data: Bellwether. 650 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20001. Tel: 877-636-0909; Web site: https://bellwether.org/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SU" term="%22Stewart+B+McKinney+Homeless+Assistance+Act+1987%22">Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 1987</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="SU" term="%22Every+Student+Succeeds+Act+2015%22">Every Student Succeeds Act 2015</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="SU" term="%22American+Rescue+Plan+Act+2021%22">American Rescue Plan Act 2021</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="SU" term="%22Head+Start%22">Head Start</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: As of the 2022-23 school year (SY), approximately 1.37 million pre-K through Grade 12 students in the United States -- nearly 3% of the total pre-K through Grade 12 population -- were identified as experiencing homelessness. Homelessness affects a diverse range of young people across America. Students experiencing homelessness often face far greater academic, social, emotional, and basic needs challenges than their peers with stable housing. The unpredictability of their living situations can result in frequent school absences and midyear transfers, disrupting both learning and continuity. In SY22-23, nearly half of students experiencing homelessness were chronically absent, missing 10% or more of school days. Housing instability, often coupled with poverty, also increases the risk of food insecurity and makes it more difficult for students to access essential health care. Those experiencing homelessness face a higher likelihood of engaging in substance use and risky sexual behavior, are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts or attempts, and are more frequently exposed to violence compared to their stably housed peers. Ultimately, these intersecting challenges create significant barriers to learning, with students experiencing homelessness consistently scoring lower in reading, math, and science compared to their stably housed peers. The student homeless population is particularly vulnerable, demanding targeted support from local, state, and federal governments. Amid ongoing federal uncertainty, it is more important than ever for state and local leaders to step up and ensure that students experiencing homelessness receive the stability, resources, and educational opportunities they deserve. This memo outlines key policy changes that will impact students experiencing homelessness and options state policymakers should prioritize to support them.
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      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Homeless People
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Aid
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Federal Legislation
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Legislation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Secondary Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Federal Aid
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      – SubjectFull: Emergency Programs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: COVID-19
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pandemics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Services
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Low Income Students
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      – SubjectFull: Federal Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Stewart B McKinney Homeless Assistance Act 1987
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Every Student Succeeds Act 2015
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: American Rescue Plan Act 2021
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Head Start
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Federal Policy on Students Experiencing Homelessness: Early Action for States in Response to Recent Changes. A Bellwether Memo
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            NameFull: Kelly Robson Foster
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              Y: 2025
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