Video: Rate of Homeless Students in Mississippi Reaches Record High

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LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — Mississippi’s jobless rate showed signs of improvement just last month but some families continue to struggle. A new report released by the US Department of Education shows that the number of homeless students in Mississippi is at an all-time high.

Mississippi has seen a 12 percent increase in homeless students, outpacing the national rate by 4 percent, in the last year. Lowndes County Schools Assistant Superintendent Peggy Rogers, said the economy is playing a large role in the rising number of homeless students.

“If there are several adults in a home and there’s only one household. So that has a lot to do with the high unemployment rate especially in various communities,” Rogers said.

The US Department of Education defines homeless students as those temporarily staying with relatives, runaway or abandoned children and those living in shelters or motels.
Lowndes County Schools use a grant from the state Department of Education to help homeless students.

“A homeless child is entitled to everything that any other child is entitled to in the school system. If they remediation or help, we refer them for that. Also free and reduced lunch,” says Selma Lash, Homeless Liason for Lowndes County Schools.

The Lowndes County School District has assisted over 300 homeless students in the last five years. Homeless Liaison Selma Lash says the program gives kids a boost to go on and lead better lives.

“If they can move beyond their poverty, move beyond that level, many may go on and get better jobs or go on and get better education,” says Lash.

The report also says more than a million children are classified as homeless in the United States.