HOUSING

This indicator reports the number of insecurely housed students identified by school districts as homeless, meaning they are living in motels, shelters, parks and doubling- or tripling-up in a home, as defined by the McKinneyVento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

The high mobility, trauma and poverty associated with homelessness and insecure housing create educational barriers, low school attendance, developmental, physical and emotional problems for students. Lacking a fixed, regular nighttime stay increases the chances that a student will require additional support services associated with their developmental and academic success. A homeless student or one living in a crowded environment may experience a greater tendency for stress and anxiety, not knowing where they are going to sleep each night; not having a consistent, quiet, permanent place to study; or not having a place to do homework. Lack of secure housing may be associated with lower standardized test scores in all areas.

• In 2015/16, 5.8% (28,450) of students in Orange County experienced insecure housing, which is 100% greater than in 2006/07, at 2.9% (13,140) and higher than California at 4.4%.1

• With regard to primary nighttime residence, in 2015/16: –

89.8% (25,545) of insecurely housed students were doubled or tripled-up in housing.

– 4.7% (1,336) of insecurely housed students were in hotels or motels. – 4.4% (1,254) of insecurely housed students were housed in shelters.

– 1.1% (315) of insecurely house students were unsheltered.2

• Of those students with insecure housing in 2015/16, elementary age students (pre K-5th grade) represent the highest percentage at 44.8%, followed by high school students (grades 9-12) at 33.2% and middle school students (grades 6-8) at 22.0%.3

* Data from 2014-2015 is lower due to a statewide data system error at the CDE that likely resulted in under-reported counts.

Source: California Department of Education

Source: California Department of Education

Note: ACCESS (Alternative, Community and Correctional Schools and Service) student population is unique in that it encompasses a wide range of youth, including students in group homes or incarcerated in institutions, students on probation or homeless, students who are parents or working full-time, students participating in a home schooling program and students who are referred by local school districts. ACCESS is a program that offers year-round educational options and services to students at over 75 sites located throughout Orange County.

Source: California Department of Education. Data provided by districts on their LEA Reporting Consolidated Application and Reporting System (CARS).