Concord schools see uptick in student homelessness

The number of students in Concord schools without permanent housing spiked in the first two months of this year, with 124 students currently experiencing some form of homelessness.

The Concord School District has had between 80 and 100 students facing housing insecurity the last several years, according to enrollment reports. Last school year, the total was at the lower end of that range; before the start of 2026, it was up to the higher end.

But local housing instability and an influx of new residents have contributed to a further increase, according to Erin Cayer, the district’s homeless coordinator.

“We’ve seen an increase of families coming to Concord, specifically from other states: Washington, Ohio, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina,” Cayer said.

In the first two weeks of January, 25 additional students entered into the total count, which currently sits at 124 students.

The vast majority – just under 100 – of the 124 students are living in “doubled-up” situations, meaning they’re staying temporarily with extended family or friends. Twenty-four are living in a local shelters, six are in hotels or motels and four are “unaccompanied youth” not in the care of a parent or other legal guardian.

Cayer sees several factors behind the trend, including the still-rising cost of living and a recent increase in the number of families moving to Concord from out of state and struggling to find stable housing.

They do so for a variety of reasons: to be closer to relatives, to look for work, to flee domestic violence. Not only have more people than usual moved to Concord over the last few months but, with a constrained housing market, many families have had a harder time securing a place to live, according to Cayer.

“I think it’s both,” she said.

Economic instability and the high cost of living, including necessities like health care and groceries, compound housing challenges.

“We’ve seen a lot of families being evicted for non payment,” she said. “Families lose their their job, their income, they can’t pay their rent, they’re forced to leave.”

Communities measure homelessness differently, and the school district’s count is relatively unique in its inclusion of people living in “doubled-up” situations, similar to what is commonly described as “couch-surfing.”

The district’s tally of the number of students experiencing homelessness reflects the students whose lost or lack permanent, legal housing Cayer’s office has learned about and who the district has helped with a range of resources – from food to clothing to services.

When she looks at the current data, Cayer sees what she considers an under-count.

Often it’s teachers, school counselors or social workers who hear from or identify families going through a tough time. Fear of stigma and mistrust of the system can keep people from coming forward on their own. Older students, especially, are more likely to keep their struggle finding stable housing to themselves, she said.

New families facing housing challenges are less likely to fly under the district’s radar because, typically, those families are already in contact with district supports when they enroll their children, accounting for some of this year’s uptick.

Cayer emphasized that the district works to provide wrap-around services for families who are worried about their housing situation.

“The district is here,” she said. “If there is concern that you’re going to be facing an eviction, or you’re not sure where you’re going to sleep tomorrow night, reach out to us, because we’re here to help.”

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