Overlooked: The Far-Reaching Consequences of Late Identification of Homeless Students for Special Education Services

A new policy report examines when the special education needs of homeless students in New York City are most often identified, the impact of that timing on educational and behavioral outcomes, and the role that school stability plays in timely identification. Meeting the special education needs of homeless students as early as possible ensures this already marginalized group of children does not needlessly fall behind in school.…

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Housing Affordability in Concourse/Highbridge: The Promise of Affordable Housing May Bring False Hope

This community profile takes an in-depth look at “affordable housing” in the Concourse/High­bridge neighborhood of the Bronx—one of the poorest neighborhoods in New York City. A large percentage of new affordable housing units are financially out of reach for low-income residents in the neighborhood. Could new plans for development and affordable housing in the Jerome Avenue Corridor of the South Bronx destabilize this already vulnerable community?…

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On the Map: The Dynamics of Family Homelessness in New York City

Return to shelter is a critical factor contributing to the growth of family homelessness in New York City. Among families living in shelter at any point during the last half of 2014, 84% had entered shelter for the first time prior to 2014. This trend is reflective of the focus on moving families out of the shelter system as quickly as possible, with limited attention directed towards addressing the underlying reason that each family entered shelter in the first place. In order to further the conversation about the dynamics that drive family homelessness in New York City’s communities, this report provides a geographic analysis of demographic patterns and newly-available data on family homelessness.…

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Empty Seats: The Epidemic of Absenteeism Among Homeless Elementary Students

School absences are pervasive across New York City. Almost one in five New York City public school elementary students (19%) were chronically absent in SY 2013-14, missing 20 days or more of school. Worse, homeless elementary students were chronically absent at roughly twice the rate of elementary students overall. This report examines the disparities in absenteeism and its impact on educational achievement, comparing homeless students and their housed peers, regardless of family income level.…

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