NYC Students in Homelessness Top 138,000
Advocates for Children of New York report 10% decline from the prior school year, driven by a 22% drop in students living in shelters.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Special Education
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Advocates for Children of New York reported that more than 138,000 NYC public school students experienced homelessness during the 2025-2026 school year. The figure represents approximately one in every eight children in the city's public school system, though it declined 10% from the previous year.
Why it matters
Homelessness among students is tied to lower attendance and academic outcomes, and the report's data shows shelter-housed students faring worst on measures of chronic absenteeism and reading proficiency. Tracking these figures helps families and schools understand where support is most needed across the city.
The count of 138,000 students is drawn from NYS Education Department data as compiled by Advocates for Children of New York, and it reflects a 10% drop from the prior year, with shelter-housed students down 22%. Reasons for the shifts in shelter and doubled-up counts are not detailed in the report summary.
The players
Advocates for Children of New York
A nonprofit advocacy organization focused on education equity for low-income and high-need students in New York City.
NYS Education Department
The New York State agency that oversees public education and supplied the underlying student data used in the report.
The details
The report found that 37% of affected students spent time in shelters, while 58% were doubled up, temporarily sharing housing because of housing loss or economic hardship. The Bronx had the highest rate of student homelessness and Staten Island the lowest, with more than one in five students in Districts 9, 23 and 32 affected.
Timeline
- 2024-25 school year: chronic absenteeism and dropout data measured for students in temporary housing.
- 2025: reading proficiency results recorded for students in shelters.
- 2025-26 school year: more than 138,000 students experienced homelessness.
- November 10, 2026: Advocates for Children of New York released the report.
Lifestyle Trend
The annual homelessness tracking reports from Advocates for Children of New York provide the baseline against which this year's 10% decline is measured. Comparing these figures across years shows whether the drop in shelter-housed students reflects a sustained shift or a single-year change.
Families with children in temporary housing may find that school attendance, reading support and transportation are areas where additional help is available through their schools. Parents in affected districts can ask school staff about the services that apply to students who are doubled up or in shelters.
The takeaway
Student homelessness affects roughly one in eight city public school children, and shelter-housed students face the steepest challenges. Families and educators can use district-level data to identify where targeted support is most needed.
Further reading
Explore more on special education coverage for New York City families.
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