In the 2019-20 school year, 7.2% percent of all LSD students met the Department of Education's definitions of homelessness. That's 770 students who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. The groups with the highest rate of homelessness relative to race were multiracial students (9.7% of whom experienced homlessness) and Black/African descent students (9.0% of whom experience homelessness). The 2019-2020 school year was the first reporting year that MISchoolData provided student homelessness data disaggregated by race.

What we see here: While this sharp decline in student homelessness between 2020 and 2021 looks like a great improvement, it may actually be a sign of greater problems. We know that student enrollment dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic so this low number likely means that there are simply less homeless youth currently enrolled in school. When students began to learn from home, those without a fixed residence (and thus reliable wifi and technology to learn virtually) most likely fell through the cracks. This curve likely doesn't mean that there are fewer homeless youth in Lansing. It just means that there are fewer homeless youth who are in school. The increase coming into the 2022-2023 school year has been at least partially attributed a recent increase in the frequence of families living in their cars as affordable housing shortages continue throughout the state.

(data source: Michigan Center for Educational Performance and Information (CEPI) via Mi School Data)

Homelessness can be difficult to measure, especially for young people. Federal education law defines homelessness as youth lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Homeless students have the lowest graduation rate of any other demographic group in Michigan, and their dropout rates are on the rise. Nationally, Black or African American youth have an 83% higher risk for homelessness. In 2019, 54% of the homeless population in Michigan was African American even though African Americans only made up 14% of the state's total population.

Housing instability can lead to hunger, poor physical and mental health, and missed educational opportunities. Homeless youth are at higher risk for physical and sexual assault, neglect and abuse, mental health disturbances, substance use disorders, and police contact. Reducing youth homelessness will help prevent some of these negative outcomes and their disproportionate effects on BIPOC youth and their families.

• Rapid Re-Housing: Programs provide quick, short-term rental assistance and services to get individuals housed and supported as they take steps towards self-sufficiency and more permanent housing.
   
• Youth-specific drop-in programming and services: Most services for unhoused individuals are targeted towards single adults and families and do not address the specific needs of homeless youth and young adults. Providing drop-in services that are flexible and fit the unique needs of homeless youth increases the likelihood that youth will get the assistance they need. They are the most-used services among homeless youth and young adults.
  • K-12 students (and their families) affected by homelessness in any form have specific needs related to their education. Programs like the Lansing School District's Families Overcoming Rough Times (FORT), assist the families of students who have temporary or inadequate living conditions. The program works to provide transportation, food, school supplies, and more to make sure homeless students get the support they need.
     
• Increase access to affordable housing. The average monthly income for a family experiencing homelessness is $667 while the average Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Michigan is $906. Affordable housing must actually be affordable.
  • Ensure tenant protections like rent control and legal assistance to prevent evictions so that families who rent their homes will face less risk of eviction and homelessness.
     
• Foster social connectedness and strengthen social supports: for unaccompanied homeless youth (of which there are about 160 in the Ingham Intermediate School District), social isolation from family and supportive adults can make the transition out of homelessness difficult. Having at least one supportive person in their life on a long-term basis is of critical importance to homeless youth.
   
• Decriminalize poverty and homelessness. Housing is a human right and people without it should not be treated like criminals. Reducing the visibility of homelessness in a community does nothing to solve the problem and only further marginalizes individuals who need support.
   
• Expand healthcare: Homelessness is a public health concern. Pushing for universal healthcare could lead to the removal of barriers to healthcare and lessen the number of individuals who become homeless because of untreated health issues. Expanded healthcare would also begin to address the racial disparities in healthcare access and quality of care.

Ways to get involved now:

• Check out the movements for a MI Breathe Act, as well as a Lansing Breathe Act. Pursuing justice in institutions of education and strengthening communities are just some of the many goals of the federal Breathe Act on which local Breathe legislation is based. Do you have an interest in shaping policy or making community interests known to those who do? Join a monthly Lansing People's Assembly to learn about and participate in the crafting of a Lansing Breathe Act.

• Let us know about groups in Metro Lansing that are working at the intersection of racial justice and housing justice! We would love to learn about the work that's already happening and potentially create new partnerships to increase capacity and sustain the work. Fill out this Community Partners Form to help us make connections and find even more ways to uplift racial equity work.

COMING SOON

It's one thing to see the data, but another to see how these indicators actually affect the lives of our friends and neighbors. We want to hear from you! The Voices of Lansing tab will be where residents can share their thoughts and stories about how an indicator has affected their life. If you have a story or experience to share about being unhoused, open this survey and click on "share my story." We look forward to hearing your stories!

• Homeless Students Lack Basic Needs, Support during COVID19 Pandemic, by Lauren Young, Teen Vogue
• Homelessness for Unaccompanied Youth, by Sarah Ostyn and Parker James via the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP)
• Missed Opportunities: Youth Homelessness in America, from Voices of Youth Count
• Homelessness is affecting Black and queer youth at high numbers, by BET staff
• Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness website