Increase in family homelessness impact children the most

An alarming report from the U.S. Census Bureau released October 20th, indicated that the total number of homeless in America for 2008 was increased by 7 million, or a total of 47.4 million people; approximately 15.8% of the U.S. population. Even more alarming is that poverty continues to rise even more in 2009, as the economic crisis and job losses are yet to bottom out.

Many people think in terms of non-married men falling victim to homelessness as a result of their own poor life choices. But that is not the reality for the 8,100 families housed by the Los Angeles Union Rescue Mission.

Rev Andrew Bales, CEO and spokesman for The Union Rescue Mission, shares that this year, their downtown facility housed an additional 21 families per night, a 126% increase from last year, with 40 additional children per night or an increase of 160% children. Bales adds, "At our Hope Gardens Family Center facility in Sylmar, we had a 37% increase in the number of families and a 32 % increase in the number of precious children, average 14 additional kids per night, from 2008. The numbers and increases are incredible, but the picture of the many families living in tent like structures, called EDARS, in our chapel, community rooms, and conference rooms is an even more amazing sight to behold." Though the Union Rescue Mission built an entire new wing last December to house the additional guests in 2009, it has already proved not to be enough.

The National Center on Family Homelessness reveals that families who have experienced homelessness have much higher rates of family separation than other families, gravely impacting the most innocent of homeless victims. Some family separations are dictated by the shelter system due to physical accommodation capabilities. Other family separations and worse result from the stress of homelessness:
• One- fifth of homeless children are separated from their immediate family at some point;
• Families may send their children to stay with relatives and;
• Foster care placement homelessness are strongly linked;
• By age 12, 83% of homeless children are exposed to at least one serious violent event;
• Almost 25% have witnessed acts of violence within their families;
• Homeless children are 4 times more likely to show delayed development and are twice as likely to have learning disabilities as non-homeless children;
• At least 30% of children in foster care could return home if their parents had access to housing.

A new study by the United Way of Greater Los Angels shows that providing housing for the vast homeless population in Los Angeles may actually save taxpayer's money. The study revealed that those living on the street may incur more expenses than those incurred by public housing, through more frequent trips to the hospital, mental health clinics, and jail which are funded with tax dollars. However, providing public housing isn't a perfect solution; as with any complex situation, there is no easy fix. And the question remains in light of recent failed government bail-outs, is the best solution through the federal government or private enterprise?

Joshua P. Host, Principal with Stone Equity Group, the second fastest growing business in the United States, is promoting the solution for families to find affordable homes through the private sector. Through a unique program of buying distressed properties with enterprising individuals and business owners, and restoring them, homes are made available to families for a very low monthly payment the first ten years of their mortgage. Host's housing program is soon to be available in California.

Though the economic crisis and under and unemployment matters are nation-wide, it is the West along with the Northeast, that saw bigger jumps in poverty largely due to having cities with higher costs of living such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. Nationally, the poverty line for a family of 4 is an annual income of $22,050.00. Comparing the income for a family living in Boise, Idaho earning that, to a family living in Los Angeles, then income is adjusted to $33,692.00, using data provided by researchers at CZER.

The reason for the change in the 2008 report is due to the Census Bureau and the national Academy of Science altering the formula for measure to include factors such as rising medical care, transportation, child care, geographical variations in living costs, and non-cash government aid. The reason for the increase in family homelessness in 2009 is clearly due to the current economic crisis and serious under and unemployment, for which our children pay the greatest cost.