Across the United States, homelessness is currently on the rise and in the 2013-2014 school year, more than 1.3 million homeless children and youth were documented. Based on an email sent to Parent Herald, homelessness across the nation extremely affects children and families.
According to the data released by the Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness (ICPH), there are more than 116,700 homeless students in the state of New York and 83 percent of them live in urban centers up- and downstate. In addition, the data showed New York has the third highest percentage of homeless students and the second largest homeless student population in the country, noting that for every 100 public school students in the state, 4.3 students are homeless.
"Student homelessness in New York State reaches beyond New York City, with over 22,000 homeless students located outside the State's urban areas," ICPH Principal Policy Analyst Josef Kannegard said. "The vast majority of these students, 81 percent are sleeping in temporary, unstable conditions such as other families' homes or motels rather than in shelters.
Due to the recent statistics, ICPH President Dr. Ralph da Costa Nunez urged policy-makers to not ignore the "complex challenges" faced by the homeless children and their families. Nunez added, "Unless we enact common sense public policies that address the educational and economic needs of homeless families, today's homeless children may become tomorrow's homeless parents."
Homeless students are often neglected by legislators when it comes to education policies. But enhancing outcomes and supports for homeless students could assist "teachers, parents and schools who struggle to help students cope with the trauma of homelessness along with the challenges of poverty."
As New York City's homeless students continue to rise. That's is why getting to school has been quite hard for them, as per New York Times. Schools, on the other hand, are also struggling to keep up with the homeless student population, Watchdog.org noted.
So, what are your thoughts on the increasing number of homeless students in the United States, especially in New York? Sound off below.
