Nowhere to go: Idaho’s Homeless Families and Youth
Idaho Homeless Enrollment by LEA Poverty Level
This map shows the correlation of poverty to homelessness in the state of Idaho. Statewide, approximately 47% of students qualify for free and/or reduced price lunches. National data trends show that approximately 10% of students qualifying for free lunch may be living in homeless situations.
In Idaho, we have students who have been identified as homeless living throughout the state in both urban and rural areas - though our more urban areas have a larger number.
Higher population areas with higher homeless percentages include: Coeur d’Alene, Boise, Nampa, Caldwell, and Twin Falls.
Additionally, students qualifying for free lunch are equal to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level and students qualifying for reduced lunch are equal to 185% of the Federal Poverty Level.
Five-year Historical Graph
This graph illustrates the number of unduplicated homeless students throughout the state of Idaho from 2013-2020 School Years (SY):
- SY 2013-2014: 6,447 homeless youth
- SY 2014-2015: 7,207 homeless youth
- SY 2015-2016: 7,143 homeless youth
- SY 2016-2017: 7,512 homeless youth
- SY 2017-2018: 8,080 homeless youth
- Eight Year District Historical Data (Numbers include duplicated students that may have moved or attended school in more than one district.)
Homeless - Where are they Staying?
This pie chart shows the percentages of homeless students based on where they were living during the 2017-2018 school year:
- 83% were doubled-up with friends or family
- 6% were living in Shelters or Transitional Housing
- 6% were living in hotels or motels
- 5% were unsheltered
Information comes from the district reported numbers.