The number of public-school students who identify as homeless in the state of Michigan is rising, but the numbers are not back to pre-pandemic levels.
For the 2018-19 school year, the state identified nearly 35,00 homeless students enrolled in public schools. That number fell to just below 27,000 for the 2020-21 school year.
New state data for the 2021-22 shows the number of public-school students who qualify as homeless increased by over 2,000 students.
The increase is being tied to the end of pandemic-era resources. Students who were in unpredictable housing situations at the start of the pandemic likely experienced a little more stability, at least for a while. Housing moratoriums went into effect and the federal government stepped in with funds to assist people.
But those programs were not meant to last forever, and the number of children without stable housing is expected to continue its rise.
Michelle Williams is Michigan’s coordinator for Homeless Education programs at the Department of Education.
"And so we anticipate that those numbers will continue to increase as some of the resources that were put in place during the pandemic, start to expire, start to run out," said Williams
Williams said the long periods of student absences also decreased the state’s ability to identify at-risk students and to ensure they received benefits they were entitled to, which "could include tutoring, it could include supplies, sometimes it includes, you know, just additional funds for them to fully participate in school activities," said Williams.
According to Williams, homeless students are also entitled to remain at their school of origin, which is tied to more positive outcomes for student success.
