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2009
Accomplishments
indianahousingnow.org
Promotional support
provided by
Integra Bank
:30 Radio Spot
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 Impact of Homelessness on
Children, Teens, & Young Adults
download PDF version
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On any given
night, 400 individuals are in shelters or transitional housing
programs in
Evansville.
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One third of these
individuals are children. (Numbers do not include those who are sheltered in
motels or “doubled up” by temporarily living with friends or family.)
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The 2000 Homeless
Survey found: Of 3,051 homeless households, 37% had a total of 1,626 children.
The 1,626 children ranged in ages from infants to 2 young adults. Of that number
, 49% were ages 5 and under.
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In the 2008-2009
school year, the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation identified 503
students who had experienced homelessness sometime during the school year.
(pdf version
of counts)
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208 or 41%
were teenagers (grades 7-12). (No data exists yet for knowing the number
of teens who were on their own or “unaccompanied.”)
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Of the total number
of teens identified, during their experience of homelessness, 70%
were doubled-up, 19% were sheltered, and 11% were in a hotel/motel.
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Most of those
teenagers were in 12th grade, or 33% were seniors.
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In shelters, the
highest number of teens were in 9th grade, followed closely by 10th graders.
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For K-6 grades, 2nd &
3rd graders were among the highest numbers experiencing homelessness. Most were
in doubled-up situations.
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The most prevalent
grade level of student in Sheltered situations was Kindergarten.
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At least 131 young
adults (ages 18-23) experienced homelessness in 2008.
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Approximately 60
families are homeless daily. (summer 2004 Homeless Survey)
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At least another
4,500 families are at risk of becoming homeless.
(America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, 2009 from
www.homelesschildrenamerica.org)
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More than 13,012 of
Indiana’s children experience homelessness each year. (McKinney-Vento
Educational Programs, 2007)
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Indiana ranks 27th in
the number of homeless children and 12th in the percentage of children who are
homeless. (McKinney-Vento Educational Programs, June 2007)
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Of the 285,000
children living in poverty in Indiana, one out of every twenty (5% ) are
homeless. (American Community Survey, 2006)
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(National Center for Homeless Education, 2007)
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30% of Indiana’s
homeless students enrolled in grades 3 - 8 took the 2005 state reading
assessment. Of those, 51% were proficient in reading, by NAEP standards. These
students were located in districts that received Mc Kinney-Vento subgrants.
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Similarly,
approximately 15% of Indiana’s 1,296 homeless high school students were tested
and 41% of those were judged proficient in reading.
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30% of homeless
students in grades 3 - 8 were tested in mathematics. Of those, 54% were
proficient in mathematics by NAEP standards.
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15% of homeless high
school students were tested in mathematics. Of those, 28% were judged proficient
by National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) standards.
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In Indiana,
approximately 90% of the households on the Section 8 waiting lists and 67% on
the public housing waiting lists are families with extremely low incomes.
(National Low-Income Housing Coalition, 2004)
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Child care is
essential for families seeking to secure and maintain work, search for housing,
attend school and job training opportunities and more. The average annual cost
for child care for a four-year old in Indiana is $5,408, which is slightly lower
than the national average of $5,719. (Children’s Defense Fund,
2007)
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Effects of Homelessness on Children
(Source: 1999 - Better Homes Fund)
Shortened Childhood
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Assume responsibility for younger children
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Lack of normal age appropriate activities, e.g.
birthdays, parties, sleepovers, play time, etc.
Increased Physical Problems:
Compared to children with homes, homeless children have:
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2x the rate of TB, hospitalizations, ear infections, respiratory infections
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4x as many asthma attacks
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5x more stomach problems
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6x as many speech problems
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7x the risk of anemia
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Impaired Child Development
Compared to children with homes, homeless children have:
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2x the rate of learning disabilities
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3x the rate of emotional and behavioral problems
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4x the rate of developmental delays
Impaired School Performance
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41% of homeless children attend two or more schools and
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28% attend three or more in one year
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75% of homeless children test below grade level in reading
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54% of homeless children test below grade level in math
Psychological Issues of Trauma
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Within a single year 97% of homeless children move, many up to three times.
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47% of homeless school age children suffer with anxiety, depression or
withdrawal, compared to 18% of housed children.
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Common Signs of Homelessness
(adapted from list compiled by Homeless Liaison,
Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation)
Physical
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Unwanted weight loss, frequent colds, dizziness
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Unmet dental needs
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Eczema
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Failure to thrive
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Sleep disturbances (fall asleep in class)
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Visibly tense
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Lacking immunizations
Emotional
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Social
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Difficulties with problem solving
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Difficulties with conflict resolution
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More likely to be physically aggressive (domestic violence)
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Socially withdrawn
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Lack empathy for others
Cognitive
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Can display cognitive deficits
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Can display problems in learning
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Difficulty paying attention in school—intrusive thoughts of safety or violence
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Less likely to play and explore freely
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Instability may lead to poor school performance
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Continuity Issues
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No records from previous schools
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May have attended many schools
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May not have medical records
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Can’t remember home address
Behavioral
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Hoards food
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Hygiene issues
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Overly concerned about safety of belongings
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Erratic attendance or tardiness
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Loses books/homework frequently
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Avoidance of class trips
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Need for immediate gratification
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Change in behavior
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“Old” beyond years
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Reactions from Children or Parents
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Anger or embarrassment when asked about current address
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Mention of staying with relatives, friends, or motel
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Parents appear unwilling to communicate with school
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Comments such as:
“We’ve been moving around a lot.”
“I don’t remember the name of my last school.”
“We’re going through a bad time now.”
“I don’t know where Mom/Dad are.” or
“I haven’t seen Mom/Dad for awhile.”
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