Why Are Homeless NYC Students Chronically Absent?

chronically absent homeless nyc students

In our previous blog posts, we have discussed how and why homeless New York City students might not be mentally present while in the classroom. Today, we will discuss how and why they might not be present altogether. Chronic absenteeism is a national epidemic, but it is especially prevalent among homeless students. As a result, it is a major driver of their poor academic performance and the heightened rate at which they dropout of school. To combat the larger issue of homelessness, we must understand why homeless NYC students are chronically absent from school. 

How Does a Homeless NYC Student Qualify as Chronically Absent? 

The United States Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent or more of school attendance. Simply put, if a student misses one in every ten days of school, he or she will count as chronically absent. That’s one absence in every two-week period. 


According to that same source (U.S.D.O.E.), the national rate of absenteeism reached approximately 28 percent in the 2022/2023 school year. Among homeless students, the rate of chronic absenteeism is 48 percent. 

What Are The Effects of Chronic Absenteeism Among Homeless NYC Students?

When any student is absent from school, he or she misses out on critical instructional time, which jeopardizes his or her overall academic performance and well-being. Among all populations, this can result in chronically absent students failing to meet grade level standards or other educational milestones. These difficulties are compounded by housing instability. Together, these factors contribute to a lower graduation rate among the homeless population. This in turn makes them exponentially more susceptible to homelessness as adults. 

Why Are Homeless NYC Students Chronically Absent?

There are many reasons why a homeless student may be chronically absent from school. Among the most common reasons are the following:

  • Frequent school transfers 

  • Lack of transportation 

  • Lack of a fixed address required for enrollment 

  • The stigma and fear associated with homelessness, and 

  • Illness 


It really can’t be understated that many homeless students experience truly deplorable and inhumane living conditions. As alluded to in our previous blog post, many homeless students reside in locations which are unsuitable and unfit for human habitation, such as abandoned cars or derelict buildings. Even when they occupy spaces specifically designated for human habitation, the facilities tend to be overcrowded, poorly maintained and rife with environmental toxins, such as black mold. For example, it’s not uncommon for this population to suffer from frequent and prolonged respiratory issues, which physically prevent them from attending school. 


It should also be stated that many of these issues occur concurrently with each other, further compounding a homeless student’s learning deficit. 

How Do You Help Chronically Absent Homeless Students? 

It may sound absurdly simple, but for any student to flourish, he or she needs stability and continuity of education. In a perfect world, a student would stay at their school of origin and have a safe and reliable place to live when school lets out, as mandated by city, state and federal law. Unfortunately, we don’t live in that perfect world. In that case, we urge you to exercise your rights as detailed in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. For a brief, but comprehensive summary, click this link.


In the meantime, unstably housed students and/or their guardians should reach out to Mentor A Promise and their extensive network of partner organizations for access to full and comprehensive support. 

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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