HOMELESSNESS Families and Youth Prevent Child Abuse Conference April 4, 2016

Definitions of Homelessness HUD -Individuals living in emergency shelter, transitional housing or a place not meant for human habitation, such as a car, abandoned building, or on the streets – are literally homeless U.S. Department of Education - Individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, individuals who are sharing the housing of other persons; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds or are awaiting foster care placement

The Numbers 2.5 million Children lacked a permanent home at some point during 2013 An estimated 550,000 youth in US experience homelessness for more than one week 2014: 2,786 people in homeless families – 9.9% decrease since 2013 (HUD) In School year 18,006 students were homeless – an 81.9% increase from 2006 – 2007 So HUD is showing a decrease in families in shelter while Dept. of Education is showing a huge increase of families doubled up or unstably housed

Who are Homeless Families? 84% are female headed household Average age 27 – 32 years 92% have experienced domestic violence 29% are working Most have school age children; 42% under age 6 By age 12, 83% of children have been exposed to at least one violent event

Who are Homeless Youth?  Some have aged out of foster care – VA has the highest rate of children aging out of foster care at age 18  Up to 25% aging out of foster care become homeless within one year  Just under 2 million are runaway and homeless youth under age 18 with majority ages 15 – 17  Up to 40% are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender (LBGT) which is well above general population of 5 %

Consequences of Homelessness  Three fourths perform below grade level  One third have repeated a grade  For both children and older youth there are consequences in the form of mental health problems, substance abuse, victimization, criminal activity, and unsafe sexual practices

Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Mental health  Rate of major depression, conduct disorder and PTSD were 3 times higher for runaway/homeless youth than general population  Suicide leading cause of death of street youth Substance abuse  30-40% report alcohol use  40-50% report drug use

Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Victimization/Criminal activity  One fifth report stealing; up to one-half report gang participation  The longer and more often children/youth are on streets, the higher the risk for victimization – including Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC)  Estimated that 39,000 runaway children are sexually assaulted or victimized by CSEC

Consequences – Runaway/Older Youth Unsafe sexual practices  95% sexually active with 13 being median age of first time  One third engage in survival sex – trading sex for food shelter or drugs  50% have a pregnancy experience compared with 33% in shelter and 10% in a household  3 times as likely to be pregnant, impregnated someone, or already be a parent  At any given time 5 – 13% of homeless youth living with HIV  HIV prevalence 2 to 10 times higher than other adolescents

The Solution/Resources US - United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH) has committed to support communities in the development of:  Prevention, Identification and Early Intervention  Coordinated Entry and Assessment  Emergency and Crisis Response  Tailored Services & Housing Solution VA - Interagency Partnership to Prevent & End Youth Homelessness (IPPEYH) Strategic Plan: Goals and Strategies to: provide stable housing, permanent connections, education/employment and social emotional well-being for homeless youth ages 14 – 24 years Fostering Futures

Housing Solutions RVA –  No shelter or drop-in center specifically for 18 – 24 year olds  Possibilities Project – 18 – 25 year olds who have aged out of foster care  SJV – Rapid Rehousing (RRH) for families – this year Youth RRH Pilot for 18 – 24 year olds

Working with Homeless Families  The stress of homelessness affects all cognitive functioning & impacts decision making  Without the basic need of housing – without an address – a home Families are not as receptive or able to utilize services (“like ping pong balls”) Hard to connect with tutoring, mental health, health care Kids react to stress; parents less tolerant of negative behaviors  Once housing secured, parents able to establish routines/structure –  We try to help them develop a sense of “rootedness”  In-home meetings  Trauma-informed care

Homeless Families and RRH  We assume there’s a level of trauma  We reduce programmatic barriers  Don’t place additional demands  Help/teach them to create structure – family routine and rituals  Regular meals, regular bedtime, reading time  Help them identify natural support networks and create more formal supports (counselors, pastor, teachers, doctors)  Rebuild bridges  Families with strong family bond more resilient – kids and parents  We try to help them create that  Even parents really struggling are motivated by wanting their kids to succeed THERE IS DIGNITY IN HOUSING!

Resources National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth (NAEHCY) Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness Center for Social Innovation Project Hope – VA Homeward

Contact Info Kimberly Tucker, Director of Housing & Homeless Services St. Joseph’s Villa