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Why are there so many
homeless families?
The factors that contribute to homelessness are similar for both single adults
and for families. The two main factors that have been identified for the
rise in homelessness over the past 15 to 20 years are the increase in
poverty and the simultaneous shortage of affordable housing.
The number of homeless families with
children has increased over the past decade and families with dependent
children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.
According to the National
Coalition for the Homeless, the number of homeless families with
children has increased significantly over the past decade; families with
children are among the fastest growing segments of the homeless population.
In its 2001 survey of 27 American cities, the U.S. Conference of Mayors
found that families comprised 40% of the homeless population, a definite
increase from previous years (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2001). On a
national level, the numbers are higher: the Urban Institute found that
approximately 39% of the homeless population are
children (Urban Institute 2000).
According to the 1999 HUD report on
Homelessness, homeless family households reported a mean monthly income of
$475 (for the 30 days prior to being questioned). This amount is only 46%
of the 1996 federal poverty level of $1,023 a month for a family of three.
As welfare reforms are enacted, fewer
people are receiving government benefits. However, this does not mean that
these people are employed or are fairing better economically. Some early
findings suggest that while more families are moving from welfare to work,
many of them are fairing poorly due to low wages and inadequate work
supports. Many of these new jobs pay far below the poverty line. Extreme
poverty is increasing for children, especially those in female-headed and
working families. Due to the loss of benefits and unstable or low-paying
employment, many of these families struggle to get healthcare, food and
housing. Housing is generally not affordable for families leaving welfare
for low-paying jobs and when subsidized housing is limited.
How does homelessness
affect children?
Homeless children face significant
barriers to receiving the same public education as their non-homeless
peers. As many as one third of homeless children may not be attending
school on a regular basis (US Department of Education, 1992).
Children who are homeless with their
family members often suffer not only disruption in their education, but
serious emotional and developmental problems that can persist long after
their families find permanent housing. African American children use
shelters at the highest rate of any group (Culhane
et al., 1993).
What is the situation
really like for homeless people here in San Francisco?
In 1999, 159 homeless people died in San Francisco, the
largest number of deaths since this information has been recorded. (The San
Francisco Department of Public Health has not counted homeless deaths since
1999.) Within the City there are only about 1,400 shelter beds serving
those in need.
In 1999, when the Section 8 waiting list
reopened, there were 38,000 applicants. Of these, 10,000 families met the
eligibility criteria to be on the list. The average wait for a Section 8
voucher in San Francisco
is 12 months.
In December of 1998 San Francisco initiated a "No
Turn-Away Policy" for homeless families. As of March 1999, 105
families are on the waiting list for emergency shelter.
With
a housing vacancy rate of 1.0%, San
Francisco has one of the tightest housing markets
in the nation. San Francisco
also has the highest rents in the country.
A San Francisco Family on TANF
(Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) receives $611 a month. The market
rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,000 a month.
According to the 1999 Status Report on
Hunger and Homelessness, San
Francisco anticipates the number of requests for
emergency food and shelter to increase in 2000. In the Spring of 2000 the
first 1,000 families will come off Calworks
(State Cash Aid for families). Many of these families will be forced to
rely on City services for support while they continue to adjust to the
transition from welfare to work. Continued economic growth, coupled with a
reduction in the City's housing stock will result in an increased demand for
public assistance. Though families and single adults are moving out of
homelessness, they are quickly replaced by others seeking assistance and
shelter.
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