How Ignite Addresses the Needs of Chicago’s Growing Unhoused Student Population During the School Year
CHICAGO—With nearly 1.2 million children facing homelessness nationwide during any given school year, Chicago is experiencing a sharp rise in the number of unhoused students. Ignite, a local non-profit focused on youth homelessness, is taking a holistic approach to address the urgent needs of this vulnerable population, providing housing, academic support, and preventative services to ensure unhoused students thrive during the school year and beyond.
Recent data shows that more children in America live in a state of homelessness than in 28 individual states combined[1]. Families are increasingly unable to maintain stable housing, driven by rising costs of living. This issue has particularly impacted Chicago, where many students face the dual burden of homelessness and academic challenges. Chicago Public Schools (CPS) reported that 26,800 students experienced homelessness during the 2023-2024 school year[2], which is a 51% increase from the previous year. Ignite anticipates this number continuing to increase without the necessary programmatic infrastructure and intervention. Without stable housing, these young people struggle to access basic needs like food, school supplies, and safe environments for study, which puts their academic success at risk.
Ignite has developed an array of services that not only provide immediate relief but also offer long-term solutions for students experiencing housing instability. Housing solutions and programming include Belfort House, a transitional living facility which offers safe spaces and crisis intervention for young people starting at age 14. Prevention is the key factor in eradicating youth homelessness and Ignite works with youth as young as 10 who present a risk of homelessness.
Through preventative programming cultivated in their Bronzeville Youth Shelter and their Drop-In Resource Hub, Ignite addresses the multifaceted challenges that often lead to homelessness. Close collaboration with Chicago Public Schools, the public safety representatives, and other juvenile service agencies, helps Ignite divert young people from being at the greatest risk of harm, and instead provide community-based case management services that offer stability and support during critical developmental periods.
Homelessness presents a profound impact on education for many Chicago students. By offering tutoring services, educational advocacy, and GED referrals, as well as housing solutions and preventative measures, Ignite ensures that all young people have the tools to pursue their academic goals and break the cycle of poverty and housing insecurity.
As the school year progresses, Ignite is calling on the Chicago community to help provide more in-depth ways to reach and access resources and support for unhoused students. Spreading awareness and support like donations of school supplies, financial contributions, and volunteer time can make a significant difference in ensuring that every student has access to the tools they need to succeed.
Visit https://www.ignitepromise.org/ to get involved and support an end to youth homelessness.
Sources:
[1] “Nationwide, More Children Live in the State of Homelessness than in Most American States.” National Alliance to End Homelessness, 27 Aug. 2024, https://endhomelessness.org/resource/nationwide-more-children-live-in-the-state-of-homelessness-than-in-most-american-states/