LEESBURG — According to the U.S. Department of Education, 71,277 Florida public school students were homeless last year, a figure that has grown since the Great Recession.
In Lake County alone, local school officials report homelessness affects more than 2,600 students.
Doug Major, special events coordinator for the Educational Foundation of Lake County, is not surprised government data shows the number of homeless youths has more than doubled in seven years. Nationwide, a staggering 1.3 million children were reported homeless.
“The need is continuously great, and it is a continual need,” Major said. “The needs have gotten greater.”
