Homeless Families - An Overview

Many people believe that the vast majority of homeless people are single. However, more homeless families are becoming a larger part of the homeless population than any time since the Great Depression.

The heads of households of most homeless families are in their twenties or thirties and they have either one or two children. Approximately half of all homeless families are comprised of women who have children, while approximately one quarter of all homeless families in the United States are married.

Homeless families are less likely to have been in jail and a smaller percentage of them have mental disabilities. And they are less likely to have any problems with substance abuse.

However their education is usually limited. Approximately fifty percent have a GED or a high school diploma. And because they are facing economic challenges, like any other family they are likely to experience depression.

Like many other low income families, homeless families face a relatively high risk of being exposed to domestic violence.

Nonetheless, when a homeless family has support services available to them and when they are given the chance to live in a safe community they often end up contributing to the well-being of their community.

One quarter of all poverty in the United States starts with the birth of a child. It's been found that when support services are available to these families that these services are one of the major factors that help to keep these families from becoming homeless.

Nonetheless, the risk of a poverty stricken family's becoming homeless does increase as their children get older. That's usually because their parents are constantly battling an economic tidal wave. They have to earn enough money to support themselves and their children, as well as paying for child care.

Most families who become homeless first tend to rely on their family and friends as well as on child support before they turn to a homeless shelter.

Middle and upper income families are now finding that it is very difficult for them to help their friends and families who are facing homelessness. Because of the current economic environment, it is becoming even less likely that friends and relatives of low income individuals will be able to help each other.

Once a family becomes homeless there are three major challenges that will prevent them from once again become independent.

• The first challenge is that the majority of homeless families have an average income of only $418 a month.

• The second challenge is that these families don't have a social network that is strong enough to help them.

• The third challenge these families face is that it is unlikely that they will have access to any housing subsidies.

On a positive note, a recent study of 19 cities that have a homeless population has shown that 75% of the families were able to leave homeless shelters quickly and not return when affordable supportive housing became available.

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