Council for the Homeless Debunks Myths about Student Homelessness
On May 14, Council for the Homeless (CFTH) joined partners from across the state in Shelton, WA, for the Homeless Student Stability Program (HSSP) Community of Practice, Stronger Together: Collaborating Across Educations and Housing Systems to Support PreK-12 Students Experiencing Homelessness. CFTH staff members Terrell Berry, Chief Impact Officer, and Gina Ochoa, Diversion Manager, attended the conference to advocate for student homelessness and raise awareness about families living in doubled-up situations.
Gina was invited to speak on a three-person panel for an activity called “Mythbusters,” where she represented community-based organization and addressed common misconceptions. The audience included school district staff and community partners eager to deepen their understanding of how HSSP functions and who it can serve.
One key myth Gina tackled was the belief that families cannot receive support if they are “doubled up,” temporarily living with another household due to a lack of stable housing. Gina made it clear: HSSP does serve doubled-up families, and CFTH works daily to connect these families with the resources they need to move toward long-term stability.
How do we support student homelessness and families in doubled-up situations?
We provide tailored assistance that includes housing navigation, coaching, help with rental applications, and financial support for move-in costs. This approach empowers families to resolve their housing crisis quickly and sustainably, often without needing to enter the shelter system.
Gina’s co-panelists included representatives from Building Changes and the Office of Homeless Youth (OHY), two of our key funding partners. “Gina did a great job sharing Council for the Homeless best practices and highlighting our work to prevent and end homelessness in Clark County,” said Terrell. “She represented our mission with clarity and heart.”
Gina reflected that the most valuable part of the day was learning from other organizations.
“It was great to hear different approaches and strategies. I learned more about HSSP than I knew before, which will strengthen my work moving forward,” she said. “I hope the audience walked away understanding how beneficial HSSP is and how critical collaboration is to our success.”
The event also highlighted the importance of capacity building, even in the face of possible funding cuts. It served as a reminder that cross-system partnerships and open dialogue are more essential now than ever. Together, we can support student homelessness and further assist families living in doubled-up situations. Learn about more facts and myths on homelessness.
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