OLYMPIA, Wash. — For the ninth year in a row the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction says the number of homeless students in the state has increased.
Data shows nearly 41,000 students were reported homeless last school year, which is an increase of 3.2% from the 2015-16 school year.
Superintendent Chris Reykdal says it is difficult to pinpoint direct causes of homelessness on the state level, but says many community factors like lack of affordable housing or unemployment often contribute.
The McKinney-Vento Act as well as the State Homeless Student Stability Program are working to make sure students can still go to school and help them get what they need.