Mission

To inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County.

The Big Idea

Housing for Kids is dedicated to seeing that every public-school student in Monterey County has a place to call home. According to the Monterey County Office of Education (MCOE), 12,959 public school students were homeless in the 2022-2023 school year, nearly 16% of the total population. We are funding a new program with MCOE to help unhoused families cover the expensive upfront deposits and fees required to rent a home and provide one-time emergency assistance for families threatened with eviction because of a short-term financial need. A generous donor is separately funding staffing to evaluate and vet families and collect data on school attendance and academic performance to measure the impact of stable housing. This information will be used for continuous improvement and targeting of funds.

In Monterey County, over 12,000 students annually face homelessness or are at significant risk of becoming homeless. Addressing this pressing issue by providing comprehensive resources and services is a fundamental step toward ensuring positive and successful outcomes for these vulnerable children and youth. As Program Coordinator for Homeless Youth Services for the Monterey County Office of Education, I work directly with all the schools in the county to serve this population. Our collaboration with Housing for Kids is instrumental in this endeavor, as it empowers us to extend vital services aimed at both securing stable housing for families currently experiencing homelessness and furnishing necessary resources to prevent at-risk families from losing their homes. This partnership is not only invaluable but also integral to our mission of supporting school districts across Monterey County, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a stable and supportive environment for all students.

- Donna Smith