Definitions of Homeless Families
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2010) Definitions of homelessness pertaining to families differ, depending upon whether HUD’s (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) or the Department of Education (ED) McKinney-Vento criteria are being used.
The HUD definition of homelessness (below) is used to determine qualification for participation in HUD programs. It does not include individuals living doubled-up or in hotels/motels, situations in which homeless children often are found. According to the HUD definition, an individual who is homeless:
lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
has a primary nighttime residence that is --
a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for people with mental illness);
an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
The ED definition is broader than HUD's as it includes children in the HUD definition plus those who are living doubled up due to economic distress.
According to the ED definition (U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 119, Subchapter I, § 11301), the term “homeless children and youths”:
means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 11302 (a)(1) of this title); and
includes --
children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 11302 (a)(2)(C) of this title);
children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
migratory children (as such term is defined in section 6399 of title 20) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this part because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (A) through (C).
The HUD definition of homelessness (below) is used to determine qualification for participation in HUD programs. It does not include individuals living doubled-up or in hotels/motels, situations in which homeless children often are found. According to the HUD definition, an individual who is homeless:
lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
has a primary nighttime residence that is --
a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for people with mental illness);
an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.
The ED definition is broader than HUD's as it includes children in the HUD definition plus those who are living doubled up due to economic distress.
According to the ED definition (U.S. Code, Title 42, Chapter 119, Subchapter I, § 11301), the term “homeless children and youths”:
means individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence (within the meaning of section 11302 (a)(1) of this title); and
includes --
children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 11302 (a)(2)(C) of this title);
children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;
migratory children (as such term is defined in section 6399 of title 20) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this part because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (A) through (C).
Common Misconceptions of Homelessness
The Homeless Alliance of Western New York (2014) is a not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to improving the system of care for the homeless. Their website busts commons myths and misconceptions of the homeless and supports them with facts.
Myth #1: “People are homeless because they don’t want to work”
Fact: 40-60% of homeless people DO have jobs and more than you’d think have education beyond high school.
Myth #2: “Those who are homeless choose to be homeless”
Fact: The greatest need identified by those experiencing homelessness was permanent housing. Transportation and education/training were also cited as important needs. Shelter allowances provided by the Department of Social Services ($214 per month for a single parent with children) is not enough to pay for housing anywhere.
Myth #3: “The majority of homeless people are adults that have made bad choices in life and are suffering the consequences.”
Fact: The average age of a homeless person is 9 years old!
Myth #4: “There are a lot of people who just want to rip off the system and live off the government.”
Fact: In a study of homeless and very low-income persons frequenting soup kitchens and food pantries conducted by the Homeless Alliance, those receiving public assistance such as Food Stamps and Medicaid at the time of the study were less likely to be homeless. However, the grants available for public assistance have not been raised significantly in many years and the cost of basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation, and health care have risen significantly.
Myth #1: “People are homeless because they don’t want to work”
Fact: 40-60% of homeless people DO have jobs and more than you’d think have education beyond high school.
Myth #2: “Those who are homeless choose to be homeless”
Fact: The greatest need identified by those experiencing homelessness was permanent housing. Transportation and education/training were also cited as important needs. Shelter allowances provided by the Department of Social Services ($214 per month for a single parent with children) is not enough to pay for housing anywhere.
Myth #3: “The majority of homeless people are adults that have made bad choices in life and are suffering the consequences.”
Fact: The average age of a homeless person is 9 years old!
Myth #4: “There are a lot of people who just want to rip off the system and live off the government.”
Fact: In a study of homeless and very low-income persons frequenting soup kitchens and food pantries conducted by the Homeless Alliance, those receiving public assistance such as Food Stamps and Medicaid at the time of the study were less likely to be homeless. However, the grants available for public assistance have not been raised significantly in many years and the cost of basic necessities such as food, housing, transportation, and health care have risen significantly.
Statistics of Homeless Children
- According to research done by the National Center on Family Homelessness (2009) estimates of the number of homeless children range from 800,000 to 1.2 million. 1 in 50 children in the U.S. are homeless. These numbers are even greater today!
- Nationally, approximately half of all women and children experiencing homelessness are fleeing domestic violence (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2001)
- Children without a home are in fair or poor health twice as often as other children, and have higher rates of asthma, ear infections, stomach problems, and speech problems (Better Homes Fund, 1999). Homeless children also experience more mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal.
- One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population are families with children. In 2007, 23% of all homeless people were members of families with children (US Conference of Mayors, 2007).
Homeless Children: Update on Research, Policy, Programs, and Opportunities. (n.d.). <i>Homeless Children: Update on Research, Policy, Programs, and Opportunities</i>. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/10/homelesschildrenroundtable/index.shtml
Myths and Facts about Homelessness -. (n.d.). <i>Homeless Alliance of WNY</i>. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://wnyhomeless.org/myths-and-facts/
National Center on Family Homelessness. (n.d.). <i>Homeless Children Fact Sheet. 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.familyhomelessness.org/?q=node/5/.
(n.d.). <i>National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (n.d.). <i>National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2001. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.ncadv.org/
U.S. Conference of Mayors. (n.d.). <i> A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities: 2004, 2005, 2007 reports. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from www.usmayors.org.
Myths and Facts about Homelessness -. (n.d.). <i>Homeless Alliance of WNY</i>. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://wnyhomeless.org/myths-and-facts/
National Center on Family Homelessness. (n.d.). <i>Homeless Children Fact Sheet. 2009. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.familyhomelessness.org/?q=node/5/.
(n.d.). <i>National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (n.d.). <i>National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. 2001. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from http://www.ncadv.org/
U.S. Conference of Mayors. (n.d.). <i> A Status Report on Hunger and Homelessness in America's Cities: 2004, 2005, 2007 reports. Retrieved April 12, 2014, from www.usmayors.org.