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Imagine having a place to learn, but no place to call home.

We lead statewide efforts to improve academic and housing outcomes for students experiencing homelessness in Washington.

Our Work

What We Do

We use an interdisciplinary approach to advocate for change at the systems level. Working with a wide array of partners, including schools, school districts, housing providers, policymakers, advocates, and community members, we:

  • Analyze and share data and research on student homelessness in Washington state
  • Identify strategies and develop tools for addressing the unique needs of students experiencing homelessness
  • Influence policy and advocate for adequate and sustainable resources and capacity for the education and housing systems
  • Hold the education and housing  systems accountable to advance and adopt racially equitable and culturally responsive policies, practices, and community partnerships
  • Facilitate leadership buy-in and cross-systems collaboration

Why We Do It

Students and families impacted by housing crises are inadequately served by the education system. As a result, academic outcomes for students experiencing homelessness remain well below those of students who are housed. This is due to the education system being insufficiently resourced, its overall lack of capacity, and inconsistent buy-in among leadership. Another factor is inadequate knowledge on how best to meet the needs of students experiencing homelessness—especially those of color, who make up more than 60% of all students experiencing homelessness in our state.

Did You Know?

  • There are nearly 40,000 students experiencing homelessness in Washington State.
  • 64% of students experiencing homelessness in our state are students of color.
  • Students experiencing homelessness have academic outcomes well below those of students who are housed.

(Source: Students Experiencing Homelessness in Washington’s K-12 Public Schools: Trends, Characteristics and Academic Outcomes, 2015-2022)

Featured Resources

  • Article

ABC Tool: Building better support systems for students experiencing homelessness

When students experiencing homelessness receive the right support, they thrive. But to make this a...

  • Education
  • Evaluation
  • Students

Publish Date: September 30, 2024
  • Article

Q&A: Insights into Building Changes’ education work

No child should have to worry where they’re going to sleep at night, but nearly...

  • Education
  • Families
  • Students

Publish Date: June 17, 2024
  • Article

Fostering collaboration: Communities of Practice

Finding time for reflection and building vital connections with colleagues and partners is often challenging...

  • Education
  • Families
  • Homeless Student Stability Program
  • Students

Publish Date: June 17, 2024
  • Article

Homeless Student Stability Program: A new approach to grantmaking

The first program of its kind in the nation, the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP)...

  • Education
  • Housing Crisis
  • Homeless Student Stability Program
  • Students

Publish Date: March 27, 2024
  • Report

Students Experiencing Homelessness in Washington’s K–12 Public Schools: Trends, Characteristics, and Academic Outcomes, 2015-2022

  Imagine having a place to learn but no place to call home. According to...

  • Education
  • Housing Crisis
  • Data Analysis
  • Policy
  • Students
  • Youth/Young Adults

Publish Date: November 2, 2023
  • Article

Impact and reach of our statewide education work

For students experiencing homelessness, schools and community-based organizations are a lifeline to critical services, stability,...

  • Education
  • Students

Publish Date: October 10, 2023

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Access recordings from our student homelessness training series.

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