As someone who works with APS students and families, you are in a unique position to help us identify students who may be experiencing homelessness and need assistance. 

Identifying students experiencing homelessness 

Being homeless does not always mean living in a shelter or on the street. “Homeless” is defined as lacking a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence. 

This includes any child: 

• living in a shelter.
• living in a motel or campground due to the lack of an alternative, adequate accommodation.
• living in a car, park, abandoned building, or bus or train station.
• doubled up with other people due to loss of housing or economic hardship.
• not living with a parent or guardian due to hardship or an emergency circumstance.

Common signs that a student may be experiencing homelessness: 

• lacks basic utilities
• attends different schools; lacks personal records; inability to pay fees
• unmet medical or dental needs
• sick often; chronic hunger or fatigue
• attendance issues
• poor hygiene
• lack of basic supplies
• consistent loss of books and supplies
• marked change in behavior 

Please contact us for a full list, or visit nche.ed.gov.

If you believe a student you work with may be experiencing homelessness, please contact: [email protected].