How Many Bensalem Schoolchildren Are Homeless?

Some 26,000 schoolchildren in Pennsylvania are homeless, according to the Department of Education’s most recent numbers, which are from 2014-2015.

And those children are spread across nearly every single school district in the entire state.

According to the data, there are 111 homeless children in the Bensalem School District.

Here’s how a few of the nearby districts within the county compared:

• Bristol Borough - 22
• Bristol Township -118
• Centennial - 145
• Central Bucks - 30
• Council Rock - 43
• Morrisville Borough - 30
• Neshaminy - 44
• New Hope-Solebury - less than 10
• Palisades - 21
• Pennridge - 45
• Pennsbury - 37
• Quakertown - 64

In total, there are 906 homeless schoolchildren in Bucks County, Department of Education data shows.

The actual number of homeless children could be much higher, as the data only reflects the homeless population which the state served using designated funds.

The numbers include children experiencing homelessness “who have been served in any way through McKinney-Vento funds. The served population includes children and youth ages birth through 21 that are not enrolled in schools.”

The McKinney-Vento Act works on a national level to help provide homeless children with access to the same free public education as their peers, and provides money for school districts to handle homeless students. Qualifying students receive free lunches and transportation if necessary, among other benefits.