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Imagine having a place to learn, but no place to call home.

We lead a statewide effort to improve academic and housing outcomes for students experiencing homelessness.

Our Work

What We Do

We use an interdisciplinary approach to advocate for change at the systems level. Working with a wide array of partners, including schools, school districts, housing providers, policymakers, advocates, and community members, we:

  • Analyze and share data and research on student homelessness in Washington State
  • Identify strategies and develop tools for addressing the unique needs of students experiencing homelessness
  • Influence policy and advocate for adequate and sustainable resources and capacity for the education and housing systems
  • Hold the education and housing  systems accountable to advance and adopt racially equitable and culturally responsive policies, practices, and community partnerships
  • Facilitate leadership buy-in and cross-systems collaboration

Why We Do It

Students and families impacted by housing crises are inadequately served by the education system. As a result, academic outcomes for students experiencing homelessness remain well below those of students who are housed. This is due to the education system being insufficiently resourced, its overall lack of capacity, and inconsistent buy-in among leadership. Another factor is inadequate knowledge on how best to meet the needs of students experiencing homelessness—especially those of color, who make up more than 60% of all students experiencing homelessness in our state.

Did You Know?

  • There are more than 40,000 students experiencing homelessness in Washington State.
  • 60% of students experiencing homelessness in our state are students of color.
  • Students experiencing homelessness have academic outcomes well below those of students who are housed.

(Source: Students Experiencing Homelessness in Washington’s K-12 Public Schools: Trends, Characteristics and Academic Outcomes, 2015-2019)

Featured Resources

  • Other

Our Solidarity Statement in Support of Homeless Student Liaisons

Homeless Student Liaisons: WE STAND WITH YOU! With more than 30,000 K-12 public school students...

  • Education
  • Homeless Student Stability Program
  • Students

Publish Date: May 18, 2023
  • Article

Our state’s Homeless Student Stability Program deserves more funding – here’s why

Every student deserves a fair shot at success in and out of schools. For students...

  • Education
  • Homeless Student Stability Program
  • Students
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: November 8, 2022
  • Article

New tool helps school districts strategize support for students experiencing homelessness

When students experiencing homelessness are supported in schools, that experience lays the groundwork for their...

  • Education
  • Students
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: November 8, 2022
  • Training

McKinney-Vento Deeper Dive into Practice

Targeted to school district McKinney-Vento (MKV) liaisons and support staff, this training is supplemental to...

  • Education
  • Racial Equity
  • Students
  • Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: February 15, 2022
  • Other

McKinney-Vento Rights and Services School Flyer

The federal McKinney-Vento Act provides rights, protections, and services to children and youth experiencing homelessness....

  • Education
  • Families
  • Students
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: July 2, 2021
  • Toolkit

Menu of Strategies

Menu of Strategies is a working collection of recommendations for schools, districts, and community partners...

  • Education
  • Families
  • Students
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: October 1, 2021

Help Build Change

Attend the School/Community Partnerships Convening

Gather in-person with your peers to support students and families experiencing homelessness.

Register

Come to a Training

Register for our student homelessness training series.

Learn More

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