The number of homeless students in California is up nearly 10%, according to the state’s latest data release. However, some experts say this increase could be attributed to better identification abilities.
Recognizing the signs of homelessness
There are currently 230,443 homeless students in California, according to the state’s Department of Education. The increase may be because school officials are now better at recognizing the signs of homelessness in schools.
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Former Assemblymember Luz Rivas, a Democrat who represented parts of the San Fernando Valley, authored a bill in 2021 aimed at helping educators see the signs of homelessness. Some of the indicators, according to the National Center for Homeless Education, include erratic attendance and tardiness, wearing the same clothes for several days, inconsistent grooming and many more.
The bill required schools to train all personnel to recognize these signs. It also required schools to designate liaisons to ensure students can access necessary support services.
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More than 230,000 students are now homeless in California — up from over 187,000 in the 2022 school year.
The bill appears to have been effective, as the number of homeless students has increased significantly each year since its implementation, while enrollment has remained relatively stable.
For the 2022-2023 school year, the state reported that more than 187,000 students were homeless. That number increased nearly 13% the next year to more than 210,000, followed by the increase this year.
Funding for homeless students
The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, passed in 1987, is designed to ensure that homeless students can enroll and succeed in school. The act also provides funding to hire liaisons for homeless students, help with transportation, and even provide books and clothing.
More funding for homeless students came during the pandemic through the American Rescue Plan, which was the federal COVID-19 relief package. According to CalMatters, that plan included $800 million for schools to hire counselors or train staff to help homeless students. Nearly every school in California received money.
However, much of that money is going away.
CalMatters reports most of the pandemic relief money has already been spent. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s spending bill that just passed the Senate does not include McKinney-Vento funding starting in 2026-2027.
Student performance
Data from the California State Department of Education also shows homeless students have more performance issues than other students, with 36% of homeless students noted as chronically absent compared to 19% for non-homeless students.
Homeless students also have a nearly 3% higher suspension rate and a 13% lower graduation rate.
California homeless problem
The other factor that could be leading to an increase in homeless students is the continuing rise of homelessness overall in the state.
Nearly 25% of all homeless people in America live in California, according to the Public Policy Institute of California. The number of homeless people in California rose by 3% this year.
Just this week, Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers amended a landmark environmental law to expedite the construction of more homes.
