Overview of Schools struggle to address rising student homelessness
This Marketplace report examines the growing problem of student homelessness in the U.S. and how it places new demands on schools, which are legally responsible for identifying homeless students and connecting them to needed services. The story focuses on a rural Maine high school where a dedicated liaison helps students navigate both basic survival needs and the complex process of staying in school and planning for college.
Key Takeaways
-
Student homelessness is rising sharply.
The report cites more than 1.3 million homeless students in the U.S. in 2017, more than double the number from a decade earlier. -
Schools are on the front line.
Under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, districts must designate liaisons to support homeless students and families with access to education and related services. -
Resource gaps remain a major problem.
Advocacy expert Barbara Duffield notes that many districts have historically lacked:- awareness of how widespread student homelessness is
- enough funding
- enough staff time to address it effectively
-
The 2015 reauthorization of McKinney-Vento increased pressure on districts.
Lawmakers made homeless students a higher priority, pushing schools to do more to identify and support them.
Inside the School Support System
Cecilia Sirianni’s role at Massabesic High School
At Massabesic High School in Maine, Cecilia Sirianni spends much of her time helping students with:
- donated clothes
- snacks and food
- transportation challenges
- health care access
- housing instability
- paperwork and school-related forms
Her office functions as a practical support hub for students dealing with instability while trying to keep up with school.
Why this support matters
The report highlights the strain on students who must handle “adult” responsibilities while still being teenagers trying to fit in and succeed academically. Sirianni’s support helps remove barriers that might otherwise keep students from graduating or continuing to college.
Savannah’s Story
A senior identified only as Savannah describes being forced into homelessness after a difficult foster home placement. She left with her belongings in trash bags and stayed with a friend’s family.
Her experience shows how homelessness can complicate nearly every part of a student’s life:
- finding food
- getting transportation
- accessing health care
- completing financial aid and college applications
Savannah says having Sirianni’s help made a major difference. Without that support, she believes she would have had to navigate everything alone.
Outcome and Broader Significance
- Savannah was accepted to the University of Southern Maine and hopes to study psychology.
- She says she wants to help improve the system so future students have a less difficult path.
- The story underscores a larger issue: schools are increasingly expected to serve as safety nets for students experiencing homelessness, even though many districts still lack the resources to do so adequately.
Main Insight
The piece shows that addressing student homelessness is not just about housing—it’s also about ensuring students can stay engaged in school, access basic necessities, and get help with the complicated systems that can determine whether they graduate and move on to college.