Number Of Homeless Children In AISD Skyrockets

It's a shocking number and AISD says it's not going down any time soon.

The number of homeless students in AISD is surprising and AISDs Homeless Liason, Mike Murphy says he has seen a huge increase since last year.

"We had 62 children last January of 2008 identified as being homeless, this year I had 122 identified as homeless in January," says Murphy.

Murphy says the number continues to increase through out this school year.

"Well there is a lot of them this year, so far today we have identified 759...760."

Murphy believes that the increase of homeless students in AISD could be a result of one thing.

"It's a bad year economically, it's usually the barometer that, or natural disasters but I've never had that many before for economic issues," says Murphy.

Last year, Murphy says the numbers were a lot lower.

"Last year we had 567 for the entire year, this year I am going to hit 800."

Comparing to other same-sized districts in the state, he says AISD isn't doing so well.
 
"We are probably ahead in identification of districts our size."

Now there are many different ways for you to help social services.

You can be part of the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program to be a mentor to some of these children.
Also by helping the United Way or by calling 211 and letting them know you would like to help or volunteer for  Social Services.