Breaking Barriers: The Hidden Crisis of Homelessness and Its Impact on Education
January 11, 2025 · Tyesha West
When I joined the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness (RICEH), I was driven by more than just statistics—I was driven by my own story.
As a child, my family experienced homelessness after a tragedy uprooted everything we knew. It was just my mother, my siblings, and me. There were nights we slept in her car because we had nowhere else to go, but she always made sure we got up in the mornings and went to school. She juggled keeping us fed, finding a place to stay, and maintaining a job, even though it became nearly impossible when we moved into a shelter.
Living in a shelter was a different kind of struggle. There were dangers lurking around every corner—perpetrators who were also victims of the same system. Even as a small child, I understood how survival could lead people to make desperate choices. I saw firsthand how a lack of mental health care and financial stability created a cycle of suffering.
That experience shaped me. It showed me that homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head—it’s about systemic inequities that perpetuate poverty and neglect. Even back then, I knew I wanted to be part of something bigger, something that could help break those cycles and create a future where no family has to endure what we did.
The Growing Crisis in Education
Today, over 1.3 million public school students in the United States are experiencing homelessness. These children face overwhelming barriers to education:
Frequent school transfers disrupt learning and relationships.
Emotional stress, trauma, and lack of sleep make it difficult to focus.
Limited access to basic resources, like stable internet or hygiene facilities, hinders their ability to complete assignments.
Already underfunded schools are left to fill the gap as federal funding for homeless education programs dwindles. Programs under the McKinney-Vento Act, which provide transportation, counseling, and other critical services, are at risk of being defunded, leaving vulnerable students and families with fewer lifelines.
Equity and Systemic Disparities
Homelessness doesn’t exist in isolation—it’s the result of deeply rooted systemic inequities. Urban communities, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by:
Redlining and housing discrimination excluded Black and brown families from wealth-building opportunities for generations.
Underfunded schools in low-income areas struggle to provide the resources students experiencing homelessness need to succeed.
Income inequality and lack of affordable housing force families to choose between rent and other necessities.
These disparities create cycles of poverty that are nearly impossible to escape. I’ve seen these inequities firsthand—not only in my childhood but also in my work at RICEH. They’re baked into the systems meant to protect us, from housing policies to mental health care, and they disproportionately affect communities of color.
Unlearn & Relearn: Challenging the Myths
If we’re going to address this crisis, we need to start by unlearning the myths we’ve been taught about homelessness and relearning the truths that demand action.
Unlearn: The belief that homelessness is a personal failure or the result of poor decisions.
Relearn: Homelessness is the result of systemic inequities—policies that prioritize profits over people and fail to address the needs of marginalized communities.
By shifting the narrative, we can focus on real solutions that address the root causes of homelessness and education inequity.
What Needs to Be Done
Homelessness isn’t inevitable. It’s a policy choice—and it’s one we can change. Here’s how:
Expand Federal Funding for Homeless Education Programs: Programs like the McKinney-Vento Act provide lifelines for students experiencing homelessness. We must fight for their renewal and expansion.
Invest in Affordable Housing: Stable housing is the foundation of education, employment, and opportunity. Increasing affordable housing options is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty.
Equip Schools to Support Students: Trauma-informed teaching practices, mental health resources, and educational liaisons can help schools meet the unique needs of homeless students.
A Call to Action: Join the Movement
This isn’t just about statistics—it’s about the lives behind the numbers. It’s about the students who dream of a better future but can’t concentrate because they’re hungry. It’s about the families who work tirelessly but are trapped by systemic barriers. And it’s about all of us—because no one should have to choose between survival and success.
I’ve created a petition calling for expanded federal funding for homeless education programs, stronger tenant protections, and incr
eased investment in affordable housing. By signing it, you’re taking the first step in a revolution that prioritizes equity and inclusion.
Click here to sign the petition and join the movement.
Let’s unlearn the myths, relearn the truths, and work together to build a society where every child has a chance to succeed—no matter their circumstances.
Why This Matters
Equity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of a just society. Addressing homelessness is about more than providing shelter; it’s about dismantling the systemic disparities that perpetuate poverty and exclusion. Together, we can create a future where no one is left behind.