Homelessness among K-12 students in Stanislaus County has increased across all racial demographics and school districts since the COVID-19 pandemic. It has doubled among Latino and Asian students.
During the 2024-25 school year, 2,932 students across the county experienced homelessness, up 73% from 1,697 during the 2019-20 school year. The increase in students experiencing homelessness is in line with statewide trends, according to data from the California Department of Education.
Pandemic funding, in addition to new legislation requiring districts to administer a housing questionnaire to families, has helped both identify and assist students experiencing homelessness since 2021. And while improved identification efforts, in part, contribute to higher numbers, so do rising costs and housing challenges, according to the Public Policy Institute of California…