In classrooms across Boston, thousands of children are carrying more than backpacks. They are carrying uncertainty—about where they’ll sleep, how long they can stay, and what tomorrow will bring. 

A new report developed through a partnership between Boston Public Schools, FamilyAid, Boston College School of Social Work, and United Way of Massachusetts Bay brings that reality into sharper focus. It also offers something just as important: clear evidence that when we intervene early—when we stabilize housing—we can change the trajectory for children and families. 

The scale of the challenge is striking. In the 2024–2025 school year, more than 5,400 Boston Public Schools students were identified as experiencing homelessness. Massachusetts is home to one in ten families experiencing homelessness nationwide, and on a single night in January 2025, more than 3,300 people in families across Boston were without stable housing. 

These numbers are more than statistics—they reflect daily instability that disrupts learning, strains families, and widens inequities. Students experiencing homelessness are significantly less likely to meet academic benchmarks—by as much as 45 to 50 percentage points—and far more likely to miss school. 

“We’re about to be homeless again soon… it’s very stressful,” a parent shared with researchers. - EHIP participant 

*Note: the names of all research interviewees are confidential.  

The Early Homelessness Intervention and Prevention program—EHIP— was created by BPS and FamilyAid with a clear goal: to reach families before crisis becomes catastrophe. Through a partnership between schools and housing providers, families are identified early and connected to the support they need to stay housed and stable. 

Since 2019, the program has served nearly 3,000 families across more than 100 schools, helping more than 1,300 families secure permanent housing. 

For many, that support is life-changing. 

“They paid the realtor’s fee, they paid the security deposit… they followed up weekly… they were very helpful,” -EHIP participant 

This is what effective partnership looks like—schools, housing providers, and community organizations working together to meet families where they are. 

What happens next is where the story becomes even more powerful. 

Over two years, families in the program experienced a dramatic increase in housing stability—from 49 percent to 84 percent living in their own homes. 

With that stability comes something deeper than shelter—it brings relief. 

“The change in our home helped a lot… now we know we have this home to live in.” - EHIP participant 

Parents reported improvements in physical and mental health, including reduced anxiety and depression. And children began to show up differently—at home and in school. 

Chronic absenteeism declined significantly, dropping from 61 percent to 52 percent, and students missed fewer days overall. 

For some families, the impact was immediate and unmistakable.  

“The day I showed him our apartment, he just cried… he was so happy. He loves that he has his own space.” Parents also reported early signs of improved learning behaviors and emotional wellbeing: 

“Emotionally since we’ve moved, I noticed a change… he’s definitely happier.”- EHIP participant 

These are the moments behind the data—the shift from instability to possibility. 

The findings also underscore a critical truth: housing stability is necessary, but not sufficient. 

Even after securing housing, many families remain on the edge. Only 14 percent reported being able to cover a $500 emergency expense, and more than 60 percent continued to experience food insecurity. 

Families are making progress—but they are still navigating financial hardship, limited support networks, and ongoing uncertainty. 

Many participated in the research with the hope that their stories would lead to change: 

“Maybe this study will make a difference… I hope people will notice that there needs to be a change.” EHIP participant 

The report makes clear that while programs like EHIP are effective, broader, coordinated action is needed to sustain and scale impact. It calls for increased investment in affordable housing and rental assistance, including expanded access to housing vouchers, alongside stronger coordination across schools, housing agencies, and social service providers to better connect families to supports.  

The findings also highlight the need for improved systems to identify students experiencing housing instability earlier, such as routine screening in schools, as well as sustained funding to support staffing and infrastructure for these partnerships. Together, these recommendations point to a comprehensive approach—pairing prevention with long-term economic and social supports—to ensure families can achieve and maintain stable housing. 

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