Hidden Hardships: The Growing Crisis of Homeless Students in Bay Area Schools
In our ongoing exploration of the far-reaching consequences of the Bay Area's housing affordability crisis, we examine the precarious housing situation of homeless students in public K-12 schools.
Before delving into our findings, it's crucial to acknowledge that these figures likely underestimate the actual number of families facing housing challenges, as they rely on self-reporting through school questionnaires and do not capture substandard housing conditions.
Homeless K-12 Students
As of the 2022-2023 school year, 23,374 students in Bay Area public schools lacked permanent housing, representing 2.5% of the total student population. This marks a 35% increase from the 2.1% level in 2020.
Santa Clara County had the largest number of students without proper homes at 6,787, an increase of over 80% from 2020.
San Francisco County reported the highest rate of student homelessness in the Bay Area, at 5.3%. Over the 3-year period, Marin was the only county that reduced its percentage of homeless students, going from 4.0% to 3.5%.
Temporary Residences: Where Homeless Students Find Shelter
In terms of where students without homes find temporary shelter in the Bay Area:
71% of homeless students were temporarily doubled-up with another family or friends.
15% lived in shelters
8% lived in hotels/motels and the remaining 6% lived without shelter
At the county-level, the most striking difference was in San Francisco, as 29% of homeless students lived in shelters and 19% in hotels/motels, double the average for the Bay Area as a whole. At 8%, Santa Clara had the highest percentage and number of students without any shelter.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the housing affordability crisis in the Bay Area has had a significant and growing impact on K-12 students. The increase in homeless student populations, particularly in counties like San Francisco and Santa Clara, underscores the need for comprehensive solutions. As the majority of these students find themselves doubled-up with other families or friends, it's clear that some traditional definitions of homelessness may not capture the full scope of the problem and challenges these students face.
