When Lily started high school, she had dreams like any other student: joining clubs, playing sports, and working toward graduation. But as her family struggled with housing instability, those dreams became harder to hold onto.
“Starting my freshman year, it wasn’t how I expected it to be,” Lily shared. “My parents told me I could drop out if I wanted to, but I wanted to stay in school and experience new things.”
That determination was tested when her family faced eviction during her junior year. “It made it really hard to want to go to school,” she said. “I was thinking about things other kids didn’t have to, like where I’d sleep, how I’d get food, whether I had clean clothes. I was drained.”
The Reality for Thousands of Washington Students
Lily’s story is not unique. Across Washington, more than 42,000 students experience homelessness each year. Without stable housing, students face immense barriers such as frequent school changes, long absences, and difficulty enrolling without a fixed address.
These challenges make it harder to stay connected to school, leading to lower academic performance and higher dropout rates. Yet education is one of the most powerful tools we have to break the cycle of poverty and prevent future homelessness.
Why State Supports are Essential
For decades, the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act has been a lifeline for students like Lily. It ensures that children and youth experiencing homelessness can stay in school and access support like immediate enrollment, transportation, and connections to local resources.
But this federal safety net is now at risk under the current administration. Proposed cuts to McKinney-Vento funding would threaten the only federal program dedicated to helping students experiencing homelessness stay in school and succeed. For Washington’s students without stable housing, that loss would be devastating.
That’s why now, more than ever, state-level programs like the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP) are essential. HSSP builds on McKinney-Vento’s foundation, helping schools and nonprofits identify students in need and connect families to housing, transportation, and other supports that make learning possible.
A Model That Works: HSSP in Action
For Lily, that support came through her school’s Native Education Coordinator.
“She made me feel comfortable and safe,” Lily said. “She gave me options like rides to school, gas vouchers, help with food and clothing. But more than anything, she listened. Without her, I wouldn’t be here today.”
Lily graduated from high school and is now attending college. “I’m so grateful,” she said. “This program changed my life. I wouldn’t be where I am without it.”
Investing in Students, Investing in the Future
But thousands of students are still waiting for that same opportunity. In the last HSSP funding cycle, demand far outpaced available resources, three times what OSPI could fund and nearly five times what the Office of Homeless Youth could provide.
With 42,000 students experiencing homelessness, 64% of whom are youth of color, Washington has an opportunity to lead with equity and impact.
During the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers reduced funding for the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP), restricting it to just one year. Without renewed investment in the upcoming session, this vital funding will expire, which leaves schools without the resources to connect students experiencing homelessness with the housing supports and nonprofit partners that help them find stability and stay on track in school.
By renewing $1.2 million in funding for the Homeless Student Stability Program, our state can expand its reach, provide stability, and protect the promise of education for every student, especially as federal protections hang in the balance.
Every Student Deserves the Chance to Succeed
Lily’s story reminds us that behind every statistic is a student with hope and determination—someone who deserves the stability needed to succeed.
Education can’t wait, and neither can the students who depend on it. With continued investment in programs like HSSP, more young people like Lily will have the opportunity to turn their dreams into reality.
Learn how you can take action to help advance stability and educational equity for students experiencing homelessness.
