Helena Public Schools reported that 253 students met the McKinney‑Vento definition of homelessness about a month into the 2025–26 school year, an increase of 43 students compared with the same point last year. The rise highlights an escalating local need for housing stability and wraparound services in Lewis and Clark County, officials said, and comes as district staff work to keep children connected to classrooms and essential services.

Under the federal McKinney‑Vento Act, students who lack fixed, regular and adequate housing are eligible for supports intended to reduce barriers to education. In Helena, district leaders said those supports include transportation to school, clothing, school supplies and other services aimed at reducing obstacles to attendance and learning. East Helena Public Schools also reported students experiencing homelessness, and school officials encouraged community members to contribute through local nonprofits to help meet immediate needs.

The growing number of students without stable housing carries direct implications for public health and educational equity. Families without consistent shelter face higher risks of disrupted health care, missed immunizations and untreated chronic conditions, as well as stressors that can worsen mental health and developmental outcomes for children. For schools, increased rates of student homelessness can translate into greater demands on counselors, nurses and social work staff, and more need for targeted interventions to prevent chronic absenteeism and falling academic performance.

Local nonprofits and community organizations often provide crucial short‑term relief—food, clothing, hygiene products and transitional housing referrals—but the spike in identified cases suggests systemwide pressures. School districts must stretch existing budgets and staff capacity to deliver McKinney‑Vento services while also navigating broader challenges such as limited affordable housing stock and cost of living pressures that affect many Lewis and Clark County residents.

The situation raises policy questions for county and municipal leaders about coordinating housing, health and social services. Advocates for students experiencing homelessness emphasize that stable housing is foundational to health and education outcomes, and that investments in affordable housing, accessible mental health care and coordinated case management can reduce long‑term costs by preventing deeper crises.

For families and students currently affected, the school districts’ provision of transportation, clothing and supplies aims to keep children in school and reduce immediate barriers to learning. School officials and community partners are seeking support from local residents and nonprofits to bolster those efforts and meet rising needs across Helena and East Helena.

As the school year progresses, tracking changes in student homelessness will be important for school planning and public health response. The increase documented early this fall serves as an alert for community leaders and residents alike to consider stronger, coordinated responses that center equity and the well‑being of children across Lewis and Clark County.