A recent study has found that providing housing assistance to homeless students can have a significant impact on their educational outcomes, including boosting graduation rates.
Homelessness is a pervasive issue in the United States, with an estimated 1.5 million students experiencing homelessness in the 2017-2018 school year. The instability and stress of homelessness can have a detrimental effect on a student’s ability to focus on their studies and succeed in school.
In response to this challenge, many communities have implemented housing assistance programs to help homeless students secure stable housing. A recent study conducted by researchers at Temple University and the University of Michigan found that these programs can have a significant positive impact on students’ educational outcomes.
The study, which focused on homeless students in Philadelphia, found that students who received housing assistance were more likely to graduate from high school than their peers who did not receive assistance. Additionally, these students also had higher rates of post-secondary enrollment and lower rates of incarceration.
The results of the study highlight the importance of stable housing in supporting homeless students’ academic success. By providing a safe and stable home environment, students are better able to focus on their studies and achieve their educational goals.
Furthermore, the study also found that housing assistance programs can be cost-effective in the long run. Although providing housing assistance comes with a price tag, the researchers found that the savings from decreased incarceration rates and increased earnings potential for graduates outweighed the initial costs.
Overall, the study underscores the importance of addressing the housing needs of homeless students in order to support their academic success. By providing stable housing, communities can help ensure that all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential and achieve their educational goals.
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