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Committee hears data showing rise in underhoused students; McKinney‑Vento staff describe supports
Summary
Committee members reviewed city and subcommittee reports showing increases in identified underhoused or unhoused students and heard McKinney‑Vento updates on outreach and community resources; staff noted improved identification methods and community assistance programs.
A city council ad hoc report and a health-and-safety subcommittee update prompted discussion Feb. 26 about a rise in students the district identifies as underhoused or unhoused and about services under the McKinney‑Vento program.
Adam Platt, the city council representative on the committee, summarized an ad hoc homelessness report presented to the city council and pulled numbers the council used. He said the count of underhoused students rose from 58 in 2019–20 to 234 in 2023–24 and that the 2023–24 tally included 46 unaccompanied students, figures he said illustrate a roughly 400% increase over five school years. "I just wanted to share that data," Platt said.
At the health and safety subcommittee, staff reported a different district count and emphasized that improved identification accounted for some of the increase. The subcommittee minutes reported 84 students districtwide identified as underhoused or unhoused, an increase from 62 at the same point last year; staff said the upward trend is largely attributed to better identification methods.
Sasha (McKinney‑Vento lead) provided an update on services and outreach. Subcommittee members discussed increased absences driven by flu, RSV and COVID, the strain on counseling and mental‑health services, and waiting lists for behavioral-health support. The subcommittee also reported work by guidance staff and outreach with community partners.
Staff noted local community support: a program called the "store next door" is offering $12,000 in annual funding to support students with clothing, hygiene items and graduation supplies. Committee members asked what the district and community can do to help; the presenters said they would share follow‑up information with councilors and committee members.
No formal motions were made on the homelessness reports during the meeting; members said they would follow up with questions and seek more detail on available tools and supports.
