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Local Poverty Rates & Student Homelessness

Poverty data can be a useful tool for districts in estimating the approximate number of students who may experience homelessness. According to the Urban Institute (2001 report available here), approximately ten percent of children living in poverty will experience homelessness in a given year. Poverty data can be accessed through the U.S. Census Bureau.

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Please note that there are many factors outside of poverty that contribute to homelessness (for example, natural disasters, house fires, domestic violence) that may affect the reported number of homeless students. These data should not be viewed as quotas but as rough guidelines to assist school staff and service providers in thinking about the possible prevalence of homelessness in a community.

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This spreadsheet includes data broken down for each NYS school district with the following information:

  • Estimated number of children ages 5-17 (school-age children) living in poverty (2019 data)

  • 10% of children ages 5-17 living in poverty

  • Total number of students identified as homeless by the district (2019-20 data)

  • Number of students possibly under-identified as homeless

The poverty data come from the U.S. Census Bureau. The homeless data come from the State Education Department. The number of students possibly under-identified was calculated by subtracting the homeless data from the 10% of children living in poverty data.

NYSTEACHS.org

749 E 135 Street

Bronx, NY 10454

41 State Street, Suite 403

Albany, NY 12207

34 South Broadway, Suite 601

White Plains, NY 10601

We provide information, referrals, and trainings to schools, school districts, social service providers, parents, and others about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness in New York State. NYS-TEACHS is funded by the New York State Education Department.
 

Tel: 800.388.2014 | Fax: 212.807.6872 | info@nysteachs.org
 

If you are unable to access files on our site, please contact the team at NYS-TEACHS and we will provide you with the information in an alternative format.

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The New York State Technical and Educational Assistance Center for Homeless Students (NYSTEACHS.org) is operated by Measurement Incorporated under a contract with the New York State Education Department.

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The content of this website does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the
New York State Education Department. 

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