Nowhere to go: Idaho’s Homeless Families and Youth



Idaho Homeless Enrollment by District Poverty Level

Idaho Homeless Enrollment by LEA Poverty Level illustration

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 and or reduced price lunch may be living in homeless situations.

On average the percentage of students living in McKinney-Vento eligible situations is 2.5% of our total student population.

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 total number.

Idaho Student Living Situations

Where are they Staying Pie Chart

This chart shows the percentages of homeless students based on where they were living during 2024-2025:

  • 6,381 were living in shared housing or doubled-up (living with friends of family
  • 643 were living in hotels/motels
  • 664 were unsheltered (living in cars, campers without utilities, or substandard conditions)
  • 492 were living in shelters or transitional housing

Information comes from the district reported numbers.


Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Map of Unaccompanied Homeless Youth in Idaho

An Unaccompanied Homeless Youth is an individual who meets the McKinney-Vento definition of lacking a fixed, regular, and adequate living situation AND is also not in the physical custody of his/her parent or guardian.