Public schools identified over 1.2 million homeless students in the 2012-2013 school year, an 8% increase nationally from the previous year, and an 85% increase since 2007. While services for children and families have stagnated or decreased, child and youth homelessness has become a crisis in rural, suburban, and urban areas, with 86% of homeless students living in unstable, shared housing. To address this growing national crisis, child and youth homelessness must become a higher priority through increased state and federal support programs that provide services like education, childcare, housing, and youth assistance.

1. Child and youth homelessness is a
growing, national crisis
 Public schools identified 1,258,182 homeless
students in the 2012–13 school year.
 34 states reported an increase over previous year.
 An 8% increase nationally over previous year.
 An 85% increase since 2007.
 Services for children and families are stagnant or
decreasing.
 Crisis in rural, suburban, and urban areas.
 86% of homeless students live in unstable, shared
housing; only 7% live in shelters.

2. Child and youth homelessness must
become a state and federal priority
 Local Control and Accountability Plans
 McKinney-Vento program
 Access to higher education and child care
 State interagency work and funding
 Runaway and Homeless Youth Act
 Homeless Children and Youth Act
 helphomelessyouthnow.org