Blog.WBRU

The economic crisis isn’t just bad for bankers. It can affect those too young to even have bank accounts.

In Newport, the number of homeless schoolchildren has risen. Currently there are 12 families with 20 kids in area schools homeless. In October, there were 13 families with 24 schoolchildren.

Social service providers told the Newport Daily News that until last month, they hadn’t seen more than seven homeless families with kids in school at one time.

They worry that the number of homeless families and schoolchildren will continue to grow as Newport’s tourism industry continues to do poorly and unemployment grows.

Some of the families have had to split up to stay with friends and relatives, while others are currently in shelters or hotel rooms.

-Dustin Sposato

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report. Photo courtesy flickr user StJenna.