Council hears testimony on curbing BPS student homelessness
Boston council hears BPS student homelessness data, funding gaps. City Councilor Brian Worrell chaired the Education Committee hearing in Chair Julia Mejia's absence, on a docket sponsored by Councilor Benjamin Weber, Council President Liz Breadon and Mejia.
City Council · Meeting of September 17, 2026
Boston council hears BPS student homelessness data, funding gaps. City Councilor Brian Worrell chaired the Education Committee hearing in Chair Julia Mejia's absence, on a docket sponsored by Councilor Benjamin Weber, Council President Liz Breadon and Mejia. BPS Chief of Student Support Cory McCarthy said 5,405 students were identified homeless in 2024-25, more than 10 percent of the district, calling it a number that "should make all of us uncomfortable." Mayor's Office of Housing Stability Director Danielle Johnson said non-payment drives more than 70 percent of evictions citywide, concentrated in three zip codes.
Family Aid has helped more than 1,300 families secure permanent housing, while Higher Ground's Dr. Brandi Brooks said Boston students represent "one in six" of the state's homeless students. Weber said EHIP earmark funding fell to $450,000 this year after federal pandemic aid expired.
No votes were taken.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,556 words
Source: the City Council meeting of September 17, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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