Iowa Department of Education’s Post

Schools can play an important part in preventing youth homelessness. Check out this important essay by Bryan Samuels.

A recent Department grant assisted 21 schools to establish resource hubs that support students and their families who are facing homelessness. See how school districts at Colfax-Mingo and Ottumwa are using their resource hubs to provide vital supplies for students and reduce barriers to attendance and learning. https://bit.ly/4gCT6eY

ADDRESSING YOUTH HOMELESSNESS: CatholicCare’s plans to support young people on the Central Coast Member CatholicCare Diocese Of Broken Bay has plans to deliver a 57-bed Youth Foyer in Wyong, one of ten new Youth Foyers slated by The Foyer Foundation over the next three years. Foyers offer integrated learning and accommodation for young people aged 16-24 years who are at risk or experiencing homelessness. Wyong faces significant socio-economic challenges, with only 68% of young people completing Year 12. Youth-specific housing solutions are critical, as young people on the Central Coast currently wait an average of 19.4 months for housing, disrupting their education and career prospects. This Youth Foyer is part of CatholicCare’s broader efforts to address housing and homelessness on the Central Coast, complementing services like Mary Mac’s Place, KEYS young parents’ homelessness service, and transitional accommodation with casework support. By providing dedicated housing and support, CatholicCare aims to positively impact young lives, helping them complete their education and start successful careers. This project not only addresses immediate housing needs but also invests in the long-term potential of the region’s youth, fostering a brighter future for the entire community. The Foyer Foundation is seeking federal funding to build ten new Foyers to help 3,500 more young people. Members Mission Australia and Uniting NSW.ACT are already supporting young people through this proven model. #youthhomelessness #housingcrisis #CentralCoast

Record number of homeless school students in New York City—one in eight by Steve Light The New York City public school system had a record 146,000 students experiencing homelessness during the 2023-2024 school year, according to data released in November by Advocates for Children (AFC). This amounts to one of every eight children in the largest school district in the United States with a million students. Fifty-four percent of these children spent some time “doubled up,” or unavoidably sharing the housing of others, while another 41 percent are in families that sought space in city shelters, leaving over 7,000 children who may have spent some nights on the streets or the subway system. There are currently at least 350,000 people in New York City without a home, a rise of 19 percent over the past two years, according to a report by the Coalition for the Homeless (CFH). The city’s longstanding problem of homelessness is compounded by inadequate government support for refugees, more than 210,000 of whom have arrived in the past two years, according to city statistics, about one-third of them school-age children. ... read the entire article here: https://lnkd.in/dnZN7dMn

Millions of schoolchildren in the U.S. experience homelessness, but conflicting data keeps many of them invisible. At Community Solutions, we know data is critical to solving homelessness. Built for Zero communities are leading the way by using real-time, by-name data to address homelessness at the local level. #HomelessnessIsSolvable Read this article from Invisible People to learn more: https://bit.ly/4aFJs9p

Did you know that a quarter of people experiencing homelessness in Victoria are aged between 12 and 24? Today is Youth Homelessness Matters Day – a day that recognises the resilience of young people affected by homelessness. While vulnerable young people need support in every part of Victoria, pockets of regional cities are some of the most disadvantaged in the nation.  Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy recommended the Victorian Government invest in 6 Youth Foyer facilities in regional Victoria. These facilities provide options for young people at risk of homelessness and help tackle youth unemployment and disengagement from education. We identified Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Morwell, Wangaratta and Wodonga as suitable locations for Youth Foyers due to existing public transport links and access to education and community services in those cities.     The Victorian Government is building more than 130 new homes for young people across Victoria, which will include youth foyers. Delivering more Youth Foyers aligns with other Victorian Government programs to support young people such as Home Stretch and Raising Expectations. Independent evaluations of Youth Foyers show improvements in educational attainment, housing stability and health outcomes.     You can read more about our recommendations to foster regional Victorians’ health, wellbeing and inclusion in Victoria’s 30-year infrastructure strategy https://lnkd.in/gBPFjbEG 

Homelessness is shaping the future of our schools and communities. Over 1.3M students in the U.S. are experiencing homelessness, creating barriers to education, stability, and opportunity. This issue is personal for me—I lived it as a child. In my latest article, I share my story, explore the systemic inequities that perpetuate homelessness, and outline actionable solutions. This is about more than housing; it’s about education, mental health, and equity. I’m calling on educators, advocates, and policymakers to join me in this fight. Read the full article and sign the petition to demand funding for homeless education programs and affordable housing. Together, we can create lasting change. #EndHomelessness #EducationEquity #SystemicChange #SocialJustice #AffordableHousing @RICEHomeless @NAEHomelessness @EdTrust @UrbanInstitute @GovDanMcKee @SenJackReed

The recent article from Slate highlights the rising homelessness rates in the U.S. and the urgent need for actionable solutions. While encampments and shelters provide temporary relief, the root of the issue lies in the lack of affordable housing and systemic barriers faced by vulnerable populations. In Ohio, homelessness among children and families remains a significant concern. During the 2022-2023 school year, the Ohio Department of Education reported that 24,046 students experienced homelessness, accounting for approximately 1.6% of the state's total student population. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report found that 3,214 individuals in Ohio belonged to families with children, highlighting the widespread impact on families across the state. As someone passionate about advocating for families and equitable policies, I believe this conversation demands our immediate attention. Communities, policymakers, and organizations must work together to ensure housing is accessible and sustainable for everyone. What strategies do you think are most effective in addressing homelessness? How can we ensure families, particularly those with young children, have access to stable housing and resources? Let’s collaborate to create a future where everyone has a safe place to call home. #AffordableHousing #HomelessnessCrisis #Advocacy #Families

A brighter future for Moreton Bay’s youth In 2022-23, more than 300 young people in the Moreton Bay region were experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The Foyer Foundation, in partnership with The Y Queensland is proposing a 40-unit Youth Foyer in Mango Hill, offering: 🏠 Stable housing near employment opportunities, transport, and leisure activities. 🎓 Access to YMCA services, including vocational training, youth workers, counsellors, and work experience in recreation and retail. 🌟 Support to gain education and employment, building skills for their future. This five-storey complex is more than housing — it’s a place for young people to create better lives and contribute to our community. Youth homelessness is a crisis we can’t ignore. Foyer offers a real solution. It’s not just about shelter; it’s about hope, opportunity, and investment in the future. This Christmas, imagine the difference we can make in Moreton Bay. Let’s give these young people the chance they deserve 🌟 #10NewFoyers #50FoyersBy2030 #YouthHomelessness #TransformingLives #housingcrisis #housingsolutions #YouthFoyers #12DaysOfChristmas #EndYouthHomelessness #MangoHillYouth

🌟 Today marks Youth Homelessness Matters Day in Australia, a pivotal moment to shine a light on a pressing issue that affects thousands of young lives across our nation. 🌟 It's crucial to recognise that homelessness isn't just about not having a roof over one’s head. It's about lacking the security, stability, and sense of belonging that every child and young person deserves. The absence of these fundamental needs can have lasting impacts on education, mental and physical health, and future opportunities. Creating more housing for children and young people who find themselves homeless is not just a matter of social justice; it's an investment in the future of our society. Safe and stable housing is the first step towards empowerment, enabling our youth to pursue education, employment, and personal development free from uncertainty and instability. By now, you might have come across Home time campaign. A coalition of over 100 organisations, including homelessness services, peaks, housing providers, unions and others launched home times campaign. That calls on the government to unlock Australia’s housing system for 16-24-year-olds who are homeless and unable to access housing. Let's pledge to be part of the solution by supporting the Hometime campaign. Because every child and young person deserves a place to call home, a place to grow, and a chance to thrive. 💡✨ Link : https://lnkd.in/gp7GFuJU #YouthHomelessnessMatters #EndYouthHomelessness #HomeTime Homelessness Australia (HA) Council To Homeless Persons Melbourne City Mission (MCM) Harriet Shing Kids Under Cover The Foyer Foundation Yfoundations Homelessness NSW Shorna Moore Ben Vasiliou Morgan Cataldo Conor Pall Douschka Dobson Sandhya Jadunundun Associate Professor Jess Heerde Keith Waters Kealey Nutt Stephen Nash Trish Connolly Dom Rowe Wayne Merritt Sally Capp AO City of MelbourneKatie Hooper Zoë Robinson Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing Vicki Sutton Lisa Dalla-Zuanna Di McDonald David Rennick Sally Lasslett Youth Projects Ltd Youth Affairs Council Victoria