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About NCHEP

The North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) is the Education for Homeless Children and Youths Program for the state of North Carolina. In January 2009, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction contracted with SERVE at UNC Greensboro. 

The North Carolina Homeless Education Program (NCHEP) is the Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program for the State of North Carolina. It is under the Federal Program Monitoring and Support Services Division with the NC Department of Public Instruction.

NCHEP is located at The SERVE Center at UNC Greensboro. NCHEP ensures that all children and youth experiencing homelessness in North Carolina have access to the public education to which they are entitled under the federal McKinney-Vento Act. NCHEP works towards this goal by ensuring that state policies comply with federal law, providing technical assistance to North Carolina’s local homeless liaisons, and providing informational and awareness materials to educators and the community.

NCHEP’s work as the technical assistance center for homeless liaisons ensures that each school district can successfully identify qualifying homeless children and youth, enroll immediately, and fully participate in school. Tutoring, school supplies, uniforms, and other academic needs are provided to homeless students through the McKinney-Vento subgrant funds and/or by utilizing Title I set-aside funds for homeless children and youth. In addition, homeless liaisons inform families of their rights within the law, and unaccompanied homeless youth are provided with an advocate for enrollment purposes, academic guidance, and success. Ensuring school stability, transportation services, and access to free meals is another critical part of the work for homeless liaisons as well as for NCHEP.

Program Priority Areas:

  • Ensure compliance with federal law in all LEAs and Charter Schools
  • Conduct, oversee, and monitor subgrant program
  • Monitor all LEAs and Charter Schools
  • Annually, oversee Federal Data Collection for Homeless Education in North Carolina
  • Conduct professional development opportunities for Homeless Liaisons, LEAs/ Charter Schools, and community stakeholders
  • Administer Regional Compliance Forums for Homeless Liaisons on an annual basis
  • Policy review and development
  • Ensure collaboration with SBE and community stakeholders

Note: Homeless student data may contain “duplicated” counts for the 2022-2023SY, 2023-2024SY, 2024-2025SY, and the 2025-2026SY; meaning one or more students may be identified and served by one or more school districts. The data presented is derived from information entered into the Student Information System by the homeless liaison on an annual basis.

School YearsStudent Count
2021-2022SY
30,247
2022-2023SY
35,282
2023-2024SY
37,197
2024-2025SY
39,248
2025-2026SY
34,137

During the 2025-2026 school year, North Carolina public schools reported 34,137 students enrolled in grades PK-12 as experiencing homelessness. Student identification decreases were attributed to an overall lower number of students enrolled in public school units in North Carolina, high turnover in school district staff working with the homeless population, a statewide transition to a new student information system, and an increase in school districts using online enrollment, which reduced face-to-face communications. It was also reported that there was an increase in hesitancy among families to disclose housing instability, particularly those with concerns related to immigration status, who may be reluctant to complete forms or share personal information with school personnel.

While the majority of North Carolina students experiencing homelessness live in the more populous regions of the State, both urban and rural regions face unique challenges in identifying and serving the educational needs of these students. 

RegionPercentage
Northeast
3%
Southeast
8%
North Central
31%
Sandhills
6%
Piedmont-Triad
13%
Southwest
27%
Northwest
5%
Western
7%

North Carolina public schools report data for the type of primary nighttime residence used by students based on four categories: doubled-up, shelters and transitional housing, hotels or motels, and unsheltered. The doubled-up category includes students who are sharing housing with others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason. The shelters and transitional housing category includes all types of emergency, family, youth, and transitional shelters. The hotels or motels category includes students residing in hotels or motels due to a lack of alternative, adequate housing. The unsheltered category includes students staying in substandard housing, cars, parks, abandoned buildings, or other places not meant for humans to live. It also includes students staying in temporary trailers and campgrounds due to inadequate alternative housing. 

Historically, the percentage of homeless students living in a particular type of housing remains relatively stable, with students who are doubled-up composing approximately 71% of all students experiencing homelessness at the point of identification by the homeless liaison. This aligns similarly with data from across the country.  

Shelters are not available in all areas of the state. They may be full and have stay limits for families, which contributes to the large number of doubled-up identifications. When living in a double-up situation, the family or youth may be confined to one room or area of the house, live in fear of being kicked out, and experience additional stress due to overcrowding in the home. Students experiencing homelessness living in doubled-up situations often lack sufficient sleep and a space to study, which leads to them being unable to perform well in school. 

Housing TypePercentage
Doubled Up
71%
Hotels / Motels
18%
Sheltered
7%
Unsheltered
4%
School YearsStudent Count
2021-2022SY
2,722
2022-2023SY
3,218
2023-2024SY
3,334
2024-2025SY
3,258
2025-2026SY
3,489

Unaccompanied Homeless Youth (UHY) are children and youth who experience homelessness (lack a fixed, regular, and adequate residence) and are unaccompanied (not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian).  Approximately 10% of the students experiencing homelessness during the 2025-2026 school year were UHY in North Carolina. Homeless liaisons are conducting targeted outreach to assist in the identification of UHY, which is the first step in ensuring they receive the educational support needed to succeed.

Early identification of 0-5-year-old siblings who are not enrolled in school and experiencing homelessness is crucial, as it allows families to have equal access to early childhood programs and other valuable services. Identification in the early years can also reduce trauma-related challenges, support family stability, and strengthen family resilience. 

School YearsStudent Count
2021-2022SY
1,918
2022-2023SY
2,327
2023-2024SY
2,550
2024-2025SY
2,071
2025-2026SY
2,297

Homeless Liaisons Navigate Challenges in North Carolina 

Every school district nationwide has homeless liaisons, the mostly unsung champions for students experiencing homelessness. North Carolina has a well-trained cadre of homeless liaisons serving students and their families. The video takes you across the state to see and hear the homeless liaisons in action. 

Caring Schools Make the Difference 

Family and youth homelessness come in many forms. Schools are a constant island of security. In this video, courageous moms and youth share their stories with the hope that the viewers will learn more about the challenges of homelessness and the importance of school officials who help however possible. 

National Data on the Education for Homeless Children and Youth