Why Do Homeless NYC Students Struggle in School?



Homeless NYC Student Struggles in School


Every year for the past nine years, the number of New York City students without permanent housing has topped one hundred thousand. [1] The latest analysis from the New York State Education Department reports that 146,000 students - or one in eight - experienced homelessness or housing insecurity at some point during the 2023/2024 school year. Naturally, a lack of stability will negatively impact a child’s ability to learn. This article and its sequels will examine why and how homeless NYC students struggle in school. 

Which Students Are Considered Homeless?

Before we delve any further into this discussion, we must define what constitutes a “homeless student.” For the purposes of this article, we will apply the definition laid out in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. This federal law defines “homeless children and youths…[as] individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence.” Suffice it to say, that includes a disconcertingly large number of people. So, for a more complete explanation of all children and youths who qualify under this definition, we suggest reading the link provided here. 

Why Do Homeless NYC Students Struggle in School?

If you don’t have to worry about having a safe, reliable place to lay your head at night, you can focus on other things. Children are no different. It may sound obvious, but when schoolchildren are too preoccupied with where they will live when school lets out, they can’t focus on Reading, Math, Science or any other subject. Unfortunately, diverted attention is only one of the struggles that homeless students will face.

How Do Homeless NYC Students Struggle in School?

Missed assignments and bad grades are just the most visible and immediate symptoms of a lack of permanent housing. Homelessness can have lasting, long-term effects on a student’s quality of education, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • A substantially higher dropout rate

  • Placement in special education programs 

  • Chronic absenteeism

  • Developmental delays 

  • Disruptions due to frequent relocation 


Subsequent articles will address each of the above-mentioned in greater detail. 

How Do We Help Homeless Students Struggling in School?

To support homeless students, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires school districts and charter schools to designate liaisons, whose job it is to coordinate services to keep students at their school of origin and thereby ensure a stable learning environment. By keeping children and youths at their schools of origin, they can establish support systems with familiar peers and adults, whose influence may counter the negative effects of housing instability. 


In an ideal world, federal law would be sufficient to keep kids in schools and break the cycle of homelessness. But for one reason or another, homeless students may not receive the services they are entitled to. While a homeless student’s parent or legal guardian should always seek remedy through the court system, that process can take a long time, during which said student’s academic outlook may darken. 


In the meantime, disadvantaged students and their families ought to engage the services of nonprofit organizations, such as Mentor A Promise and their network, to fill in the gaps. 

Contact Mentor A Promise Today 

Our organization recognizes the immense potential within each individual and seeks to provide them with the educational resources and opportunities they need to thrive. To that end, we have built a strong network of family shelters, educational institutions and community organizations to support homeless children, youths and their families. Click these links to learn more about what we offer or to get involved. Together, we can break the cycle of homelessness. 

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