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Homeless, with Homework

A series on homelessness in schools and its connection to housing. As costs rise and the rental market has low availability, nearly 2,500 students in Kent ISD public schools are facing homelessness. These stories look into what’s led to the issue and how it impacts students.

For once-homeless mother and daughter graduates, ‘dreams do come true’

Grads with Grit Erin Albanese

Ayjia Jones and her mother, Monique Williams, are both graduates of the Class of 2021. Their accomplishment comes after two years living in motels, searching for housing and pathways to stability...

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Student homelessness tied to lack of affordable housing

Homeless, with Homework Brett Atwood

AJ, 16, is one of nearly 2,500 students in Kent County who are homeless. She is one of many young people affected by the lack of affordable and available housing...

A and B student strives for success, from a motel room

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

A homeless Kent County teen talks about stressors, family, schoolwork and life in a motel...

‘It’s more than just me’

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

He couch-surfed as a homeless teen. Now Ja-Quari Moore-Bass works with other youth to help create a blueprint for housing that combines shelter with mentorship and a plan for success...

‘I would love to have a house that I own where my kids could play outside’

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

Local coalition’s research shows one in seven African American children in Kent County were in the homeless system in 2018...

Living in cars, campers, motels and ‘doubled-up,’ homeless students struggle to succeed

Homeless, with Homework Erin Albanese

Schools -- urban, suburban and rural -- are seeing increased numbers of homeless students and fewer options for housing because of high rents and scarce vacancies...

‘We didn’t notice they’re gone’

Homeless, with Homework Charles Honey

A West Side resident with two children in Grand Rapids Public Schools, Jim Davis worries about the families who can’t afford to live in that booming area and the impact on schools...

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