Over 5,600 Connecticut students experienced homelessness this year

In Connecticut, more than 5,600 students faced homelessness during the current school year. This marks a 63 percent increase since 2021. Among these students, 85 percent are people of color, 26 percent have disabilities, and 29 percent are learning English. To tackle this issue, the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving has given a $142,725 grant to a nonprofit called RE!NSTITUTE. The goal is to improve education and homelessness support for students in the Greater Hartford area. RE!NSTITUTE has previously helped house 395 people through youth-focused initiatives. RE!NSTITUTE plans to foster teamwork among different sectors, such as education, housing, and employment. Their aim is to create effective solutions within 100 days to help more families find stable housing. This initiative involves 17 school districts, which make up about 10 percent of Connecticut's public schools. The foundation emphasized that homelessness creates significant obstacles for students' education. By addressing these challenges, they hope to enhance learning outcomes. Hartford Foundation President Jay Williams stated their commitment to helping students succeed by providing stable housing and eliminating barriers. The project aligns with the foundation's focus on improving employment and education opportunities for Black and Latine youth, who often face greater challenges. Governor Ned Lamont highlighted the importance of supporting students experiencing homelessness to ensure they receive a good education. The foundation provided various statistics that reveal the struggles of homeless students. They typically score lower on tests compared to their housed peers, have lower graduation rates, and face higher absenteeism. Factors like frequent school changes and family responsibilities contribute to their challenges.