When people first hear that homeless student counts in California are up, the reaction is usually concern and alarm. But for many educators and advocates, these higher numbers tell a different story — one about better support, stronger outreach, and a real shot at helping thousands more kids who might have slipped through the cracks.
Why More Students Are Being Counted
In places like Kern County, the shift started with one small but powerful change: stop calling kids “homeless.” School staff now use phrases like families in transition or struggling with stable housing. By removing the stigma, more families open up about unstable living situations. As a result, Kern County’s homeless student count rose 10% last year to over 7,200. Those students got bus rides to school, new backpacks, tutoring, and other essentials to help them stay in class and keep learning.
Statewide, the trend is similar. The latest California enrollment data shows about 230,443 homeless students — a 9.3% jump from the previous year. While California’s tough housing market plays a role, the bigger reason is that schools are getting better at identifying students who qualify for help under the federal McKinney-Vento Act.
Why Accurate Counts Matter
Homeless students face unique obstacles. They’re more likely to miss school, switch schools often, struggle academically and fall behind. Only 16% met state math standards last year — among the lowest of any group.
Accurate counts mean schools can step in with help. As Barbara Duffield of Schoolhouse Connection says, “Schools can’t solve homelessness, but they can make sure students are safe, supported, and learning. That starts with finding them.”
How Schools Identify Homeless Students
Under McKinney-Vento, schools must identify and help homeless students each year. The definition is broad: living in cars, motels, shelters, or doubled-up with other families counts too. The problem? Many families don’t know this — or they fear filling out the form. Some worry about child welfare agencies, while immigrant families fear drawing attention from immigration authorities.
A 2021 bill by former Assemblymember Luz Rivas tackled this by requiring California schools to train staff — from teachers to bus drivers — to spot signs of housing insecurity. Signs can include frequent address changes or kids who struggle to return paperwork. The result? 21,000 more students identified last year, even as overall enrollment dropped.
Still, experts think it’s an undercount. The National Center for Homeless Education estimates the real number is closer to 5% to 10% of students who qualify for free or reduced lunch. That’s potentially 138,000 California kids not getting the help they qualify for.
More Funding, For Now
Better counts also come thanks to federal funding. The American Rescue Plan pumped $800 million into schools nationwide for homeless student support. Schools used the money for counselors, rides to school, and extra staff training. California schools got a big share of that pot.
Plus, 120 California districts got McKinney-Vento grants last year, adding $15.9 million more for essentials like tutors, mentors and supplies.
Funding at Risk
But this progress is fragile. Most COVID relief money is already spent. And recent budget proposals do not guarantee future McKinney-Vento funding. Meanwhile, policy changes like cuts to Medicaid or food assistance could push more families into housing crises. Add California’s sky-high housing costs, and the picture gets more urgent.
Joseph Bishop, a UCLA education professor, warns, “California is the epicenter of this crisis. We need dedicated support. Folks should be extremely alarmed right now.”
How Local Schools Step Up
Counting kids is only the start. In Kern County, students get matched with mentors, laundry tokens, college tours and leadership programs. One unique project is the Student Voice Ambassadors program, where students speak up about what they need to stay in school.
When students asked for cleaner bathrooms, they got them. Better cafeteria food? Done. Two years ago, 45% of Kern County’s homeless students were chronically absent. Last year, that dropped to 39%. Still too high, but a step in the right direction.
But these wins rely on funding. “Without McKinney-Vento funds, the Student Voice Ambassador program would go away,” says Curt Williams from the Kern County Office of Education. “How will we keep it going? I don’t know.”
Key Points Families Should Know
- Homelessness includes doubled-up living, motels, shelters, or cars
- Schools can help with rides, tutoring, supplies and staying enrolled in your original school
- Families should fill out housing forms honestly — schools won’t report you to immigration or welfare
- Students have the right to stay at their original school, even if they move
- Many districts have staff who specialize in helping homeless families navigate resources
The Bigger Picture
When we hear that homeless student counts in California are up, it should remind us that more kids are being seen and supported. But to keep that progress, advocates say schools need stable funding, stronger outreach, and policies that protect struggling families.
Better data means a better chance to break the cycle. Schools alone can’t solve California’s housing crisis — but they can give every student a fair shot to succeed, no matter where they sleep at night.
Homeless student counts rising is not about a worsening problem — it’s about shining light on students who were always there, but hidden in plain sight. The challenge now is keeping the support strong enough so that every child has a safe place to learn and hope for a better tomorrow.
