It disturbed us to read in the latest Kids Count Data Book that more Northeast Michigan children have experienced homelessness.

Across the Alpena-Montmorency-Alcona and Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle educational service districts, 584 children experienced homelessness in 2022, the most recent year data is available from the Data Book, a compilation of state and federal data on childhood well-being overseen in Michigan by the Michigan League for Public Policy.

That’s up roughly 19% from the 493 children who experienced homelessness in those areas in 2017.

That’s simply unacceptable.

We as a society cannot put up with even one homeless child, let alone hundreds.

When a child experiences the stress of homelessness, that child is less focused for school. If they struggle academically, it increases the likelihood they won’t graduate on time or at all. That increases the likelihood they’ll struggle to find a good-paying job. That, in turn increases the likelihood they’ll experience homelessness and, if they have kids, their kids will, too. A vicious cycle.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Legislature have enacted policies that can help today’s youngsters find future success, including expanded preschool, free community college for Michigan graduates, and opportunities for older Michiganders to enroll in community college. Research suggests preschool makes participating kiddos more likely to succeed later in their academic careers (in addition to providing child care so parents can work or look for work). Research also suggests people with at least some postsecondary education or skills training earn more money in the workforce than those without.

Over the long term, those programs should arm more Michiganders for success.

But we have to help children now.

We have to support policies that create an environment that makes it easier for businesses to create good-paying jobs so parents can earn enough to afford a good home. We have to support policies that make home-buying and renting more affordable.

We also need to do more to address the mental illnesses and substance abuse problems that contribute to homelessness.

Finally, we need to do all we can to support nonprofits and others working on the ground to address homelessness.

Children need stability — and a stable home is arguably most important — to succeed.

And we have to do our part to help.