SALISBURY, Md. – Wicomico County Public Schools is seeing a rise in students facing poverty and homelessness. Currently, 65% of students live in poverty, and 5% are classified as homeless. Nearly 700 families in the district are considered “in transition,” a term used to describe homelessness by the state of Maryland. The school district is facing significant challenges in providing the necessary resources for these students.
As the number of families in transition continues to grow, the district is working to meet the educational needs of students who are often dealing with difficult circumstances. In addition to the issues within the schools, the Christian Shelter in Salisbury has observed a rise in youth homelessness. The factors contributing to this increase include a lack of affordable housing, economic shifts, and generational differences. Wicomico County Public Schools also reported the largest enrollment increase by percentage across the state of Maryland in the most recent school year, adding to the strain on local resources.
