The Great American Tragedy: Homelessness Among Our Veterans

The Great American Tragedy: Homelessness Among Our Veterans

VA Nursing Homes and Veterans Benefits An article in USA Today reports that on a given night, more than 75,000 veterans (male and female) are living homeless on the streets of their cities. Nearly half (40%) of all homeless males are veterans. The homeless are often looked down upon in American society. They are often seen as lowly beggars, leeching off of the system. The true tragedy is when we see our brave, courageous, strong soldiers fall to homelessness. What we often don't understand is what would cause our protectors, our soldiers, to give up on ambition and dreams to live an unfulfilled life on the corner of Main Street. We don't understand this because we will never know, as our soldiers did, the trauma of war.

Veterans have to deal with high rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and often may have traumatic brain injuries or sexual trauma. Due to their experiences in war, Veterans may often want to be secluded and are more likely to live unsheltered and outdoors. According to the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, Veterans are also most likely to experience long-term, chronic homelessness.

Generally, a homeless person is expected to have not graduated from high school, but studies show that 85% of homeless veterans have completed high school or received a GED. On the other hand, only 56% of non-veteran homeless have completed high school. Furthermore, our homeless veterans were not necessarily the 'problem soldiers' in the army. Eighty-nine percent of homeless veterans received Honorable Discharges and 67% served in the military for three or more years.

These men and woman risked their lives for our country. They gave of their time and their service honorably and without question. And now, nearly half of them are living alone on the streets, not knowing how to get the help they deserve. When faced with these statistics, most peoples' attention immediately turns to the government. They ask questions like "Why would the government allow their own veterans to suffer and beg on the streets?" and "Why has our government failed to help our homeless veterans?"

We may not currently see a large impact from government programs, but they are there, and they are helping. Our government cares about our veterans and so does our President. In 2011, President Obama set the goal to end chronic homelessness among veterans by 2015. When he set his goal, Obama implemented the plan entitled Opening Doors. Opening Doors is a federal strategic plan to prevent and end homelessness within five years.

Opening Doors implements five points. The first is to provide affordable housing to veterans and then second to provide permanent supportive housing. Supportive housing is shown to be a most affective bridge between homelessness and independent housing. A study was conducted as part of the Federal Collaborative Initiative to Help End Chronic-Homelessness, and it concluded that 95% of the participants were in independent housing after one year in a permanent supportive housing arrangement.

The third point is to increase meaningful and sustainable employment. It is important that the job a veteran receives matches his/her skills so that they feel their work is meaningful and that they are needed to remain in the job for a long period of time. The fourth point is to reduce financial vulnerability by enhancing information, reducing barriers, and improving access to services. This point emphasizes making homeless veterans aware of the government programs available to help them.

The fifth and final point is to transform the homeless crisis response system. This is the point at which the government transfers its burden to the community. There needs to be a quicker response to homeless veterans showing up in a city. People need to take notice and spread the word to these veterans about the help that is available to them. The community also needs to be involved with re-housing. The veteran will feel a greater connection to the community reaching out to them rather than the government. Government programs are fantastic, and they are helping many veterans, but according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, the VA Department of the United States is only able to serve about 25% of the veterans in need. This would leave approximately 300,000 veterans each year who are left to seek help elsewhere. When the government's reach cannot go any farther, the community has an obligation to step in.

These 300,000 veterans who are not able to receive help from the VA will turn to local government agencies and volunteer organizations. They will turn to their community for help. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans states that the most effective programs are "community-based, nonprofit, 'veterans helping veterans' groups." The community and the individual within that community has a chance to help decrease the amount of homeless veterans. Our veterans gave their all for our country; it's time that we take a moment to give back to them. The largest problem is a lack of information. In this area, community outreach can make a big impact on the amount of homeless veterans that are receiving help. Many veterans seclude themselves. According to a study of homeless veterans, 96% of them are alone rather than part of or near family. They don't have anyone else, and many of them have no idea that there is so much help available for them. Beyond government programs, there are countless volunteer organizations and also local government agencies. It is the responsibility of the individuals within a community to help spread the word of relief to the veterans who are currently without family and without a home. You can find more information on the government's plan to end veteran homelessness as well as information on what you can do to help the homeless veterans in your community by following this link: please give if you can $5,$10,or $25 to help us support the many who have no were else to turn paypal

You want to thank me on Veterans Day?

You want to thank me on Veterans Day?

After returning from war, I was privileged to do a lot of research. That research was heavily related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD). I learned a lot. Unfortunately, what I learned wasn’t refreshing at all. But this isn’t about PTSD.

It’s about individual actions. During my time researching the effects of war, I learned about the Veteran homeless dilemma. I also learned about the spike in numbers for children of veterans needing outpatient psychological counseling. I also learned about the overwhelming amount of substance abuse within the veteran population. And worse, I learned about the increase in suicides amongst our veterans.

“Happy Veterans Day” makes little sense to me. What is so happy about Veterans Day? Did you read the aforementioned? None of those things should make a person feel happy. At one point in time, the Veteran felt like he/she was truly living. They embraced their brothers-in-arms and fought the enemy. The adrenaline rush was overwhelming. And for many who returned unscathed, they should be grateful. For some, Veterans Day should be a happy day. But for me, it is not.

For me, Veterans Day sucks. In fact, I hate it. I lost friends overseas and I will never get them back. And like most veterans I know who served in war, they also lost a little part of themselves. Veterans Day reminds me of those times when I faced some serious mental anguish.

With all that aside, I personally believe that Veterans Day has become one big feel good sandwich considering many Americans talk a big game supporting the veteran but when it comes to their actions of support, very little can be witnessed. And yes, I realize many Americans support the veteran but look around you. How many in America don’t really do anything to support them?

I had written about some pretty prominent military friendly non-profit organizations in the past. One person actually said, “Why should I support these groups considering veterans have the VA?” Do not think for a second that one person who said this is alone in such thoughts.

“Thanks for your service.” What a crock. You want to thank me? Get off your butt and help out that homeless veteran. Of America’s homeless population more than 40% are veterans.

You want to thank me? See that woman getting out of her car that displays a military decal on it with two or three children sitting inside? Go up to her and her kids and tell them how awesome it is to meet the family of a real super hero—ask for their autographs or something.

Make those kids feel like their mommy or daddy who isn’t with them is much greater than Superman or Batman. Superman and Batman are fictional characters, our veterans aren’t. Over 2 million children of veterans who deploy today are under some form of psychological counseling. That’s more than the total active duty force of the entire US Armed Forces.

Ever see Superman or Batman tip the bottle? Me either. Some of our veterans have been tipping the bottle way too long. How many friends and family have the intestinal fortitude to confront these super patriots? You want to thank me? Help the veteran to recovery from whatever their addiction may be.

But do you really want to thank me? Ever see what a highly trained military veteran can do with a weapon? We are trained to be lethal in the art of killing. You have 80 minutes to start running. Don’t run away from the fire. No, run towards it.

That’s right. In approximately 80 minutes, a veteran will take his or her own life. On average 18 veterans take their lives each day. You want to thank me? Run toward the fire and fire for effect with love, courage, and wisdom. Stop that veteran from dying right now.

Do you really want to thank me? Please, I do appreciate the kind words. But kind words aren’t enough. No, the VA isn’t enough for our veterans. We need you. We need your actions. Actions speak louder than words. on Veterans Day, find a veteran and spend some time with them. Tell them how you feel about them, show them you love them, learn their needs, and help them on their feet again because truth be told, even the most impressive physically appearing veterans are likely hurting deep down inside today.

$5,$10,$15,$25,will assist us in obtaining sleeping bags for the homeless please give if you can $5,$10,or $25 to help us support the many who have no were else to turn paypal

Is it Torture When an American Veteran is Homeless?

Is it Torture When an American Veteran is Homeless?

Do Americans torture, or do we not! That’s the big question in the ongoing debate regarding a waterboarding technique used by the military and CIA to interrogate a few suspected terrorists in order to obtain information that could prevent any future attacks on the United States.

This back and forth battle of partisan politics has itself become torturous. As a result, everyone seems to have their own head under water because nobody is asking the most important question of the day: Is it torture when an American Veteran is Homeless? The answer is unequivocal: Absolutely! So why isn’t this the paramount issue and concern of every American that appreciates his or her own freedom and safety? And why isn’t our government protecting and defending those who have protected and defended America’s citizenry instead of making it a priority of defending and protecting thug terrorists that would like to kill every American citizen?

It’s because Americans do not torture and being a homeless Veteran is really not torture, right? After all, we would never inflict torture on anyone because we’re just too good to ever ill-treat, abuse or mistreat anyone. That’s what Third World and barbaric countries do, but never Americans! RIGHT: Is this torture? A homeless Veteran sleeps during the day outside the chained gates of the National Veterans Home because he must remain awake during the night for his own safety.

More importantly, America must show the world that we’re above all that and in order to prove it, we’ll even coddle and pamper a few brutal terrorists because they’ve purportedly been treated unkindly through aggressive interrogation, kept in isolation, and deprived of sleep at their residency on the tropical coast of Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. President Obama has called the interrogation techniques used on a few suspected terrorists to gain information as “a dark and painful chapter in our history.”

In the Meantime … Meanwhile, the Department of Veterans Affairs has declared that about one-third of the adult homeless population have served their country in the Armed Services. Current population estimates suggest that about 154,000 veterans (male and female) are homeless on any given night and perhaps twice as many experience homelessness at some point during the course of a year. Many other veterans are considered near homeless or at risk because of their poverty, lack of support from family and friends, and dismal living conditions in cheap hotels or in overcrowded or substandard housing. Think about it, more than 150,000 of America’s Veterans are without shelter and hungry and each must fend for his or her own safety on the dangerous and crime-ridden streets of America.

Who Really Cares? imageHow many of these homeless Veterans have been subjected to coercive and aggressive interrogation by street criminals as to how much money they have and would they like to voluntarily part with a few begged coins in exchange for their own lives? How many have been robbed of a sandwich or beaten into submission for sexual favors, maimed for life, or actually killed? How more isolated could an individual be than homeless, alone, and sleeping with one eye open for your own safety. Who knows and who really cares, right?

We know for a fact that our government and the so-called “human rights police” certainly do not care or they would’ve done something about this torturous treatment a long time ago. And why should government and human rights organizations care about a couple hundred thousand homeless Veterans living in crime-infested squalor when all of their time and energy is spent on protecting the safety, treatment and quality of living conditions for a couple hundred al-Qaeda terrorists who even their own countries do not want returned into their society? A Clueless Nation

The mantra of “Americans do not torture” is getting worn out. But do America really torture? Yes, we do! And so long as there’s one homeless Veteran living on the outside of our own society here on American soil, we are all guilty as charged! But what the heck, they’re just “vets,” a bunch of second-class citizens and prospective “domestic terrorists” as declared by our Department of Homeland Security. Just ignore the problem and it will go away. Is this torture? Two Veterans sleep alongside the multi-million dollar fence outside the Veterans Home during the day, the safest time for them to sleep. The senseless debate that’s taking place right now is the most disgraceful period in American history and it’s time to issue a cease-fire on both sides of the political spectrum about what is torture and what is not. Americans have become clueless as to what real torture is and we all need to face reality and demand that our homeless Veterans be protected and cared for with the same fervor as those whom they once fought against. A Place Called “Home”

imageHere in Los Angeles there are an estimated 20,000 homeless Veterans. This is the largest VA in the nation and the land it sits upon was exclusively deeded in 1888 “to be permanently maintained as a National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.” And the Home is backed up by an 1887 Act of Congress, which specifically stipulates: “That all honorably discharged soldiers and sailors who served in the regular and volunteer forces of the United States, and who are disabled by disease, wounds, or otherwise, and who have no adequate means of support, and by reason of such disability are incapable of earning their living, shall be entitled to be admitted to said home for disabled volunteer soldiers.” This is their rightful “Home,” yet politicians and VA bureaucrats have aided and abetted in the pillaging and plundering of this sacred land to the highest bidder, including giving away a billion dollar parcel “rent free” for a public park. A Grand Community Park

The group that manipulated this incredible land heist, Veterans Park Conservancy (VPC), which is not a Veterans organization but a wealthy homeowners group, wants to convert Veterans sacred land that has been preserved for over a century as a place of privacy and quietude for America’s Veterans “to heal from war,” into a “grand community park.” In a Q&A that was on VPC’s original website, the homeowner group was asked: Will the 16-acre park be a small neighborhood park? Their answer: “No. What we have in mind is a scaled-down version of a grand community park in the tradition of New York’s Central Park, San Francisco’s Presidio, or the Boston Commons.” A Sanctuary For Butterflies

VPC also stated they want the park “to provide butterfly gardens … and a home for birds and other wildlife.” Imagine that! There are more than 20,000 homeless Veterans in the Los Angeles area and this group’s primary interest is in providing a sanctuary and home for winged insects, feathered creatures and wildlife critters while showing absolutely no respect or compassion in providing necessary shelter for homeless Veterans at their own sanctuary, the National Veterans Home. Apparently in VPC’s self-serving world, a safe haven for our fellow human beings that served to protect their own homes is far less important than providing a secure refuge for butterflies and whatnot. Their mission goes beyond any notion of torture purported against thug al-Qaeda terrorists! This is rubbing salt into mental and emotional wounds of all America’s Veterans whose blood has been shed for the safety of our nation. The VPC group has also proclaimed that there will be “family picnics and community celebrations,” including “military reenactments” at their grand community park. How much more insensitive can this group really be by wanting to celebrate and create the reenactment of war as public amusement on sacred land where Veterans are actually trying to erase the anguish and horrors of combat so they can heal from war? Democratic Party Rejects Veterans Resolution

Over the weekend the California Democratic Party (CDP) held it State convention in Sacramento to vote on Resolutions and other interests. One was the “Resolution to Protect a National Sacred Trust,” submitted by the Party’s Veterans Caucus, which sought to end all of this VPC nonsense and called for the CDP “to support an immediate halt to any giveaway of any of the Los Angeles National Veterans Home property, either to a non-veterans organization or for any non-veteran-related purpose, and the revocation of any extant agreement to do so.” This noble Resolution was blocked on the floor and denied a vote, the second time it has been blocked or voted down by the CDP. Why would they do that? Well, when Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman Henry Waxman are the major supporters of this wealthy homeowner’s group that “wants” Veterans sacred land for a public park then Veterans “needs” become irrelevant.

The Los Angeles National Veterans Home is right in the middle of Congressman Waxman’s wealthy 30th District that includes Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Westwood, Bel Air, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood. So the torture of homeless Veterans continues while the wealthy homeowners who live in multi-million dollar mansions take away their sacred land for healing and use it for their own playground. With gratitude like that who needs ingrates? A New Era of Responsibility

President Obama campaigned on bringing our Troops home from Iraq so why can’t he initiate a campaign to bring our Veterans home that are missing from action in America? He also campaigned that he was a uniter and not a divider, yet our nation has never been more divided since the Civil War, and it’s getting worse instead of better. In his inaugural speech, President Obama called for remaking America with a "new era of responsibility” and declared that his Presidency will emulate the revered qualities of President Abraham Lincoln. He even placed his hand on the bible of our nation’s 16th President when he took the Oath of Office to become the 44th President of the United States.

President Lincoln ended his second inaugural speech in part: “to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan.” In addition to calling for a healing of our nation’s divisiveness after the Civil War, Lincoln also established a new era of responsibility when he charged our nation with the moral responsibility to care for America’s Veterans, particularly those who had faced the tragic horrors on the battlefield.

President Obama needs to show the same kind of Lincoln leadership and bind up our nation’s wounds by diverting the public debate over torture of suspected terrorists, to that of caring for those who are indeed being tortured, America’s homeless Veterans. He can accomplish this by opening all National Veterans Homes across America and provide an exclusive safe haven for our Veterans to heal not only from the rigors of war, but from the torturous wounds inflicted on the battlefield of homelessness. It’s time for President Obama to bring an end to this “dark and painful chapter in our history.” Investing in Your Karma

There are more than 150,000 homeless Veterans who are disabled in body, mind and spirit and they have no adequate means of support or are incapable of earning their living, as stipulated in the Congressional Act of 1887. They are without jobs, shelter and food and we the people are leaving them behind to live broken and destitute lives. This is the worst form of torture because it goes on 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And we are guilty of inflicting this pain and suffering upon our fellow citizens who were once the defenders of our freedom and independence, because we refuse to do anything about it.

But this is America and we supposedly do not torture. If you believe that, then ask any one of these homeless Veterans if it is torture to live homeless in the most prosperous nation on earth, a nation that they defended in our behalf, yet nobody cares or is willing to defend them in their hour of need. That is real pain—torturous pain! Make no mistake; this is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it’s an American responsibility. We are a nation of people that prides ourselves in living by the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as we would like others to do unto us.” It’s also making a smart investment in your Karma portfolio. Torture Yourself

Now if you do not think it’s torture when we ignore our homeless Veterans when they’re down, then carefully heed the advise of Zen Master Wei Wu Wei: “When you give a shilling to a beggar, do you realize that you are giving it to yourself? When you help a lame dog over a stile, do you realize that you yourself are being helped? When you kick a man when he is down, do you realize that you are kicking yourself? Give him another kick, if you deserve it!” please give if you can $5,$10,or $25 to help us support the many who have no were else to turn paypal

How Many Families Are Homeless?

The Characteristics and Needs of Families Experiencing Homelessness We developed this fact sheet to help you understand the scope, causes, and impact of homelessness on children and families. We encourage you to use it as well as the publications cited in its footnotes as tools more about homelessness. How Many Families Are Homeless? Among industrialized nations, the United States has the largest number of homeless women and children. Not since the Great Depression have so many families been without homes. The statistics below are the best estimates of the extent of homelessness, but it is important to note that they are undercounts.1 • Homeless families comprise roughly 1/3 of the total homeless population.2 • Approximately 1.6 million children will experience homelessness over the course of a year.3 In any given day, researchers estimate that more than 200,000 children have no place to live.4 • People counted in the single adult homeless population (about 2.3-3.5 million annually5) are also part of families:6 • Among all homeless women, 60% have children under age 18, but only 65% of them live with at least one of these children.7 • Among all homeless men, 41% have children under age 18, but only 7% live with at least one of their own children.8

The National Center on Family Homelessness is determined to end family homelessness. While sheltering a family provides safe haven, this is only a temporary solution. By addressing the issues that lead to homelessness, families can change their lives forever.

Through research, we learn what families need to rebound from the economic, social, medical, and mental health problems that put them on the streets. Through program evaluation, we identify strategies that work. We use this knowledge to design innovative practices, bring training and technical assistance to community-based shelters and service providers, and improve policy across the nation. Whether made homeless by economic hardship, domestic violence, the trauma of war, or physical or emotional challenges, these families have lost more than their homes.

They’ve lost their health, safety, and the capacity to support themselves. The children are young; they have witnessed violence in their families and on the streets; they are anxious, depressed, and withdrawn. Today, they need a shelter. To build a life, they need support. With the power of knowledge, we can end family homelessness and give every child a chance.

Why Are Families Homeless? Family homelessness is caused by the combined effects of lack of affordable housing, extreme poverty, decreasing government supports, the challenge of raising children alone, the changing demographics of the family, domestic violence, and fractured social supports. As the gap between housing costs and income continues to widen, more and more families are at risk of homelessness. For families with vulnerabilities or little safety net, even a seemingly minor event can trigger a catastrophic outcome and catapult a family onto the streets. Lack of Affordable Housing • In a detailed analysis of the US rental market, the National Low-Income Housing Coalition concluded that our country is experiencing a significant and prolonged shortage of affordable housing that has continued to decline.*9 • 5.8 Million units are needed to fill the gap in affordable housing for extremely low-income households. • 9.3 million home owners and 10.1 million renters face severe housing cost burdens including 66.4% of households earning under $15,000 annually.10 • Housing costs outpace wages. A full-time worker earning minimum wage cannot afford a one-bedroom unit priced at the Fair Market Rent anywhere in the United States. Nationally a full-time worker must earn $18.32 per hour to afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent.11 • Federal support for low-income housing fell 49% from 1980-2003.12 • The average wait for public housing is twenty months.13 • The average wait for a Section 8 Voucher is thirty-five months.14 Poverty • Among the nation’s working families, 10 million are poor or near poor.15 • 24 million US jobs (one-fifth of all jobs) do not keep a family of four out of poverty.18 • Between 1997 and 2007, the federal minimum wage remained $5.15 per hour.19 It was recently increased to $7.25 per hour20, which still leaves even a single full-time wage earner living below the Federal Poverty Line. • Many families do not earn adequate wages: 17% of all American families with two parents16 and 34% of all single parent families lived below the poverty line in 2009.17 • The 2010 Federal Poverty Level (FPL) is $22,350 for a family of four, $18,530 for a family of three, and $14,710 for a family of two.21 • On average, families need an income twice as high as the Federal Poverty Level to meet their most basic needs.22 • For economic reasons, families are “doubling up” with one another in housing.23 *The federal standard of housing affordability is that housing is considered affordable if a household pays no more than 30% of its income to housing expenses (housing expenses include monthly rent or mortgage plus utilities, less any portion that may be covered by government subsidies). page 2 of 9 200 Reservior Street, Suite 200 Needham, MA 02494 T: 617.964.3835 F: 617.244.1758 www.familyhomelessness.com

Domestic Violence24 • Those fleeing domestic violence are more likely to become homeless or have a problem finding housing because of their unique and often urgent circumstances. They may have: • Difficulty finding apartments due to poor credit, rental, and employment histories as a result of their abuse • Few tangible social supports. • Limited ability to collect and/or enforce child support and alimony payments. • Compounding the challenges faced by low-income women in violent relationships are rules that govern public housing. Through a “one strike” policy, women may be evicted for a violent activity regardless of the cause or the circumstances. Although the eviction of women in domestic violence situations might violate federal and state housing acts, few states provide mandatory protection for these women and children. Who Are Homeless Families? A typical sheltered homeless family is comprised of a mother in her late twenties with two children.25 • 79.6% of homeless adult women are in a family, compared to just 20.4% of homeless adult men.26 • Most single-parent families are female-headed (71%).27 Single-parent families are among the poorest in the nation and, as such, are extremely vulnerable to homelessness.28 • Many family shelters do not accept men into their programs, causing families to separate when they become homeless. • Families of color are overrepresented in the homeless population.29 Nationally: • 43% are African-American • 38% are White, non-Hispanic • 15% are Hispanic • 3% are Native American • Families experiencing homelessness usually have limited education.30 • 53% of homeless mothers do not have a high school diploma. • 29% of adults in homeless families are working.31 • 42% of children in homeless families are under age six.32 What Are the Experiences of Homeless Mothers? The impact of homelessness on mothers is profound. Many experience anger, self-blame, sadness, fear, and hopelessness. Mothers experiencing homelessness have significant histories of interpersonal violence. For them, the experience of becoming homeless is another major stressor amidst already complicated, traumatic experiences. • Over 92% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/or sexual abuse during their lifetime. 63% report that this abuse was perpetrated by an intimate partner.33 200 Reservior Street, Suite 200 Needham, MA 02494 T: 617.964.3835 F: 617.244.1758 www.familyhomelessness.com • Homeless mothers often had violent experiences as children: • 43% were sexually molested, usually by multiple perpetrators.34 • 66% experienced physical violence.35 • 44% of mothers lived outside their homes at some point during childhood. Of these women, 20% were placed in foster care.36 • Foster care placement has been identified as a childhood risk factor that predicts family homelessness during adulthood.37 • 63% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical assault by an intimate male partner.38 • 32% report that they have been the target of severe violence by their current or most recent partner.39 • Almost 27% reported needing medical treatment because of a partner’s violence.40 • Mothers experiencing homelessness struggle with mental health issues. • They have three times the rate of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (36%) and twice the rate of drug and alcohol dependence (41%).41 • About 50% of mothers experienced a major depressive episode since becoming homeless.42 • Mother’s often are in poor physical health. • Over one-third have a chronic physical health condition (e.g., asthma, chronic bronchitis, hypertension).43 • They have ulcers at four times the rate of other women.44 • 20% have anemia, compared to 2% of other women under age 45.45 What Are the Experiences of Homeless Children? Children experience high rates of chronic and acute health problems while homeless. The constant barrage of stressful and traumatic experiences also has profound effects on their development and ability to learn. Experiences of Violence • Violence plays a significant role in the lives of children. • By age twelve, 83% of homeless children had been exposed to at least one serious violent event.46 • Almost 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families.47 • 15% have seen their father hit their mother.48 • 11% have seen their mother abused by a male partner.49 • Children who witness violence are more likely than those who have not to exhibit frequent aggressive and antisocial behavior, increased fearfulness, higher levels of depression and anxiety, and have a greater acceptance of violence as a means of resolving conflict.50 Physical Health • Children experiencing homelessness are sick four times more often than other children. They have: • Four times as many respiratory infections.51 • Twice as many ear infections.52 • Five times more gastrointestinal problems.53 200 Reservior Street, Suite 200 Needham, MA 02494 T: 617.964.3835 F: 617.244.1758 www • Children living below the poverty line are almost twice as likely to have asthma as those living above. One in nine homeless children are reported to have asthma related health conditions.54 • In one study, 69% of asthmatic children entering the New York City shelter system had visited the emergency room at least once in the past year for asthma treatment.55 • They go hungry at twice the rate of other children.56 • Nutritional deficiencies in homeless children often lead to high rates of overweight and obesity.57 Mental Health • Children experiencing homelessness have three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems compared to non-homeless children.58 • Among young homeless children: • One out of six have emotional disturbances. This is twice the rate of other children.59 • 16% of homeless preschoolers have behavior problems including severe aggression and hostility.60 • Among school-age homeless children: • 47% have problems such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal, compared to 18% of other school-age children61 • 36% manifest delinquent or aggressive behavior, compared to 17% of other school-age children.62 Developmental Milestones and Academic Performance • Children experiencing homelessness are four times more likely to show delayed development.63 They also have twice the rate of learning disabilities as non-homeless children.64 • Thanks to the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Act, children experiencing homelessness have a greater chance of achieving educational stability • 85% of homeless children and youth regularly attend school.65 • However, homeless children still experience significant educational disruption: • Although 42% of children and youth experiencing homelessness are below the age of five, they are significantly underrepresented in pre-school programs.66 • Of homeless elementary students, only 21.5% are proficient in math and 24.4% in reading. It is even worse among high school students, where 11.4% are proficient in math and 14.6% in reading.67 • Poor students are twice as likely as non-poor students to have to repeat a grade, be expelled, get suspended from school, or drop out of high school.68 What Are the Experiences of Homeless Families? Families experiencing homelessness are under considerable stress. They may stay in multiple settings throughout the time they are without a home. Many double-up in overcrowded apartments with relatives and friends. Others sleep in cars and campgrounds or send their children to stay with relatives to avoid shelter life. Once in shelter, families must quickly adjust to overcrowded, difficult, and uncomfortable circumstances. Despite the efforts of dedicated staff, many shelters are noisy and chaotic; overcrowded and lacking privacy. Homelessness also increases the likelihood that families will separate or dissolve, which may compound the stress the family feels. 200 Reservior Street, Suite 200 Needham, MA 02494 T: 617.964.3835 F: 617.244.1758 www.familyhome • The impact of family stress during times of homelessness is not lost on children. • 74% worry that they will have no place to live.69 • 58% worry that they will have no place to sleep.70 • 87% worry that something bad will happen to their family.71 • Families who have experienced homelessness have much higher rates of family separation than other low-income families.72 • Some separations are dictated by the shelter system. 55% of the cities surveyed by the US Conference of Mayors report that families may have to break up in order to be sheltered.73 • Other Families separations result from the stress of the experience. Families may send their children to stay with relatives to avoid shelter life. One-fifth of homeless children are separated from their immediate family at some point.74 • There is a strong link between foster care placement and homelessness. • Mothers with a childhood history of foster care placement are more likely to become homeless,75 and they tend to become homeless at an earlier age than those who do not have a foster care history.76 • Homeless children are at particularly high risk for being placed in foster care. • 12% of homeless children have been placed in foster care, compared to 1% of other children.77 • Homelessness is also a barrier to reunification for some families. At least 30% of children in foster care could return home if their parents had access to housing.78 What Can I Do? By working together, we can end family homelessness in America. You can help by: • Volunteering with local community organizations working to end family homelessness. • Supporting local, state, and national programs that help families out of poverty. • Considering issues of poverty, affordable housing, violence prevention, and health care when determining who earns our vote in local, state, and federal elections. • Donating to organizations such as the National Center on Family Homelessness and others that are working to end homelessness in our country. • Educating others about the extent and causes of family homelessness and what to do about it. Where Can I learn More? The National Center on Family Homelessness has extensive resources on homelessness, particularly concerning families. Visit our website to learn more: www.familyhomelessness.org. You also may want to visit the Homelessness Resource Center: www.homeless.samhsa.gov, operated by our sister organization, the Center for Social Innovation. 200 Reservior Street, Suite 200 Needham, MA 02494 T: 617.964.3835 F: 617.244.1758 www.familyhomelessness.com page 7 of 9 1To

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