Wisconsin Students Face Housing Instability
November's National Youth Hope Month spotlights more than 20,000 Wisconsin students experiencing housing instability.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Youth
More than 20,000 students across Wisconsin experience housing instability, including 2,000 unaccompanied minors with no adult caregiver. The Youth on the Move program partners with local organizations to offer support locations throughout November.
Why it matters
Youth in situations that interfere with education and housing stability are affected by housing instability. Families may be forced to double up or live in housing that is not adequate to meet their needs.
Wisconsin's student housing instability count of more than 20,000 includes 2,000 unaccompanied minors with no adult caregiver. Roughly one in 17 Green Bay Public Schools students was reported as experiencing homelessness in recent district counts, and the trend over time is not detailed in the available information.
The players
House of Hope
House of Hope operates Brown County's only emergency shelter for unaccompanied youth and runs a 24/7 drop-in center for anyone ages 12 to 24.
Foundations Health and Wholeness
Foundations Health and Wholeness runs connected programs in counseling, foster care and youth services, using licensed foster homes as short-term host homes.
Youth on the Move
Youth on the Move is a November program that partners with House of Hope and Foundations Health and Wholeness to offer support locations across the area.
The details
Foundations Health and Wholeness uses licensed foster homes as short-term host homes for young people. House of Hope operates Brown County's only emergency shelter for unaccompanied youth and runs a 24/7 drop-in center for anyone ages 12 to 24.
Timeline
Recent years: Green Bay district counts recorded roughly one in 17 students as experiencing homelessness.
November: National Youth Hope Month and Youth on the Move partner locations are active, with participating sites marked by green footprints on their doors.
Health Landscape
The observance of National Youth Hope Month directs public attention toward student homelessness as a measurable social issue. Counts of more than 20,000 Wisconsin students experiencing housing instability show the scale of the challenge within the state's youth population.
Young people who walk into participating locations can receive warmth, Wi-Fi access and backpacks with hygiene items and resources. Families facing crowded or inadequate housing may find these November support sites a practical starting point.
The takeaway
Recognizing that youth housing instability affects schooling and stability makes early connection to counseling, shelter and drop-in services a practical step for families and neighbors. Participating locations marked with green footprints are open to any young person who walks in.
Further reading
For more on how young people are supported across the state, explore the Youth section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wbay.
