By Karen Gentry
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org

It could be a hotel, car, a park, shelter or campground … or doubled up with another family or couch surfing at a friend’s house. That’s where many students and their families reside.

The number of Kentwood Public Schools students qualifying for services was 359 last year district-wide in grades K-12. The numbers have increased since COVID and Sarah Weir, Student Services Liaison for KPS, estimates around 10 percent of students could qualify for services.

When students in Kentwood register for school and don’t have a permanent address, Weir steps in to help. As the Student Services Liaison, she follows the federal McKinney-Vento Act that mandates services to students experiencing homelessness. The law allows students to stay in their “school of origin” by providing transportation, educational support and help with other needs. Weir has served in this role for 10 years.

“We end up connecting with the family and find out a little bit more about the situation and help them get to school,” Weir said. Kentwood Public Schools provides transportation to school, and helps them with school related items and field trips. 

A budget of $6,000

Weir works with a budget of about $6,000. Although no food items are provided, Weir directs them to local food pantries and Kentwood’s monthly food truck.

“I can provide hygiene items, shampoo, conditioner and things like that,” Weir said. She can also provide winter coats and boots thanks to local businesses and the Knights of Columbus who help out.  

“If they participate in an extracurricular activity we cover that, from sports gear to band fees, and art supplies,” Weir said. 

Student Challenges

Although it’s not always evident about a student’s living situation, these students face challenges.

“Most people don’t realize the student is unhoused. I haven’t had instances of students being treated differently,” Weir said.  “There’s plenty of situations. You could be asked to leave at any time.”

She believes the biggest barrier for students is not getting a good night’s sleep. 

“Sharing a room with strangers, moving often, sleeping on the floor are all reasons students are not getting the rest they should,” Weir said.

She noted that it’s hard for students to stay focused on a math equation if they are hungry, or don’t feel safe. 

Dropout rate high

Unfortunately, the dropout rate is high with unhoused students. Kentwood Public Schools does offer an online program.

“It (online) has to make sense for them. I think in-person is an easier way to learn for more people,” said Weir, who has seen some success stories including a family who left her caseload after seven years. They just got housing and Weir is keeping her fingers crossed that they can keep it.

The greatest challenge and most rewarding parts of her job go together. 

“I love that we are able to make the school day easy for students and families,” Weir explained. “We can get them here, feed them, provide great instruction and care for them while their parents work on a tough situation. We can give the family about seven hours of peace each day.”

Systemic Issue

Weir said the problems related to a housing crisis are much bigger than the school day. 

“Systemic policy changes such as livable wages are needed to make an impact on the housing crisis,” Weir explained. “I have families who can afford rent, but because they have a bad credit score, they don’t get the chance to get in anywhere. It would be great if landlords were willing to consider other evidence besides a credit score number.”

Weir also serves on the Kentwood Planning Commission that is looking at housing in the area. 

“We really need to focus on paying people livable wages. We don’t have any kind of cap on how much housing costs.”