Homeless students increase in public schools

The New York Department of Education assures that one in ten students have lived in shelters during the 2022-2023 school year.

Eli Cil has experienced firsthand the difficult situation of facing eviction from his own home due to his economic situation.

And although she has managed to give her children a stable roof, she is aware that children without a permanent home suffer the consequences.

“You can’t live in this country, the rent is too expensive. Imagine, you already have to look for other places where you can live because let’s say I’m already behind on electricity, gas…, and many families like that it happens,” he points out.

According to New York child advocates, the lack of permanent housing greatly impacts students’ academic outcomes and school well-being, as they face tremendous obstacles to success.

According to data, homeless high school students dropped out of school 3 times more often than students who do have a permanent home.

“And that also affects children, walking around and not having a stable place,” adds Cil.

According to DOE data, more than 40,000 students or 34% lived in shelters during 2022, more than 72,500 or 62% lived in shared housing, and nearly 6,000 lived in hotels and motels.

In total, more than 120,000 children in New York have spent time living in shelters.

“Now it is worse than before because many people are arriving seeking asylum. I believe that it cannot accommodate everyone, but there are also so many empty apartments that the city does not use and can give to families that do not have money,” he says. Mary Cercéelo.

The problem is worsened with recently arrived immigrant students. According to the city’s new policies, they can currently only stay 28 days in hotels and 60 days in hostels. After that, his future is uncertain.

This period marks the eighth consecutive year in which more than 100,000 students were identified as homeless or homeless.

The DOE has the funds to mitigate this problem but bureaucracy is holding back that help.

The Bronx County remains the hardest hit, with an average of 1 in 6 students living in shelters during the 2022-2023 school year.