Raising Awareness About the Intersection of Housing Instability and Educational Access
Housing insecurity is a far-reaching issue that disrupts nearly every aspect of a family’s life, and its impact on children’s education is particularly profound. In 2024, we worked to raise awareness about how unstable housing directly affects academic performance and overall well-being for students…a task that was far more daunting in practice than theory.
Part of the work we needed to do was dispelling myths about homeless and housing insecure students. Many of the educators we spoke to felt that students who were in their classrooms were adequately equipped to participate at a high level. By engaging with educators, administrators, and community leaders, we opened a dialogue about the challenges faced by children experiencing frequent moves, overcrowded living conditions, or homelessness.
Collectively, we discussed and debated how and why disruptions to housing make it difficult for students to focus, stay on track academically, or build meaningful relationships in their schools.
Creating holistic solutions that address both housing and education as interconnected issues is of critical importance to all members of the academic community. By advocating for policies and programs that support stability, we’re working toward a future where no child’s education is derailed by circumstances beyond their control.
