UCLA Center for the Transformation of Schools

What do we know about the nearly 1.4 million students experiencing homelessness in the U.S.? Our latest brief, “1.37 Million and Rising: Understanding the National 25% Spike in Student Homelessness” explores national patterns for housing insecure youth across the U.S. Students without stable housing, one of several highly mobile student populations, are more likely to miss school, face disciplinary actions, and fall behind academically. Yet many remain invisible in national education data.

This brief builds upon our research on students experiencing homelessness in California, the epicenter of the student homelessness crisis, and highly mobile youth—including an overview of these student populations and an accompanying policy brief—to uplift the importance of their stability and success.

Understanding these trends is crucial to advancing educational equity. This is critical reading for anyone shaping education policy or practice—from the classroom to the Capitol.

Learn more on the CTS website.