Children with disabilities make up about 20% of all public school students experiencing homelessness in the United States, even though they represent only 15% of the overall student population. 

Key Homelessness Statistics for Children with Disabilities

• Over-representation: Students with disabilities are disproportionately affected by housing instability. Federal data highlights that roughly 221,000 children with disabilities experience homelessness in a given school year out of 1.1 million total homeless student IDs.

• Regional Rates: A study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 4.7% of all students with disabilities experienced homelessness across seven evaluated states and Washington, D.C.—a rate 58% higher than their peers without disabilities. 
• Vulnerability: Children experiencing homelessness face double the rate of learning disabilities and triple the rate of emotional and behavioral challenges compared to stably housed children. Early identification of special education needs (such as Individualized Education Programs) is often delayed or disrupted by housing loss. 

Supporting homeless youth and housing-insecure children to go to school requires meeting both their immediate survival needs and their educational requirements.

We Must Provide Essential School Supplies

• Backpacks and stationery: Donate notebooks, pens, pencils, erasers, and calculators.
• Uniforms and clothing: Provide clean school uniforms, shoes, and weather-appropriate jackets.
• Hygiene kits: Stock items like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and feminine products. 

    Cover Hidden Costs

• Fees and activities: To pay for school registration, exam fees, field trips, and sports or club activities.
• Meals: Ensure children have access to daily school lunches or food packs to prevent hunger from disrupting learning.