Report Shows Steep Increase In Indiana Homeless Students

Associated Press

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (AP) — Data show that Indiana saw an 81 percent increase in the number of homeless students from 2008 to 2013.

The numbers come from the Indiana Department of Education and are included in a report released Monday by the nonprofit Indiana Youth Institute. The data show that the state had more than 16,200 homeless students during the 2013-2014 school year. The numbers cover students attending public schools and are the most recent available.

Glenn Augustine is interim CEO of the institute. He tells The (Fort Wayne) Journal Gazette that the data are a "cause for concern" that the students are getting services they need.

Statewide, the data show 82 counties had more homeless students over the time period. Eight counties had fewer homeless students and two counties' numbers were unchanged.

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