Posted on February 10, 2016 by Jacquelyn Simone The final budget that President Obama sent to Congress on Tuesday included a proposal for spending $11 billion over the next 10 years to combat the national crisis of family homelessness. The widening gap between incomes and housing costs across the country has forced a staggering number of families out of their homes in recent years. With nearly 24,000 children sleeping in NYC shelters tonight, the urgent need for coordinated action by the federal, State and City governments is clear. The proposed federal budget emphasizes housing vouchers, which research has consistently shown to be effective in helping families extricate themselves from the trauma of homelessness – and remain stably housed long-term. Nikita Stewart covered the budget announcement for The New York Times: In his 2017 budget, to be presented on Tuesday, President Obama will propose spending $11 billion over the next 10 years to fight family homelessness, a phenomenon that is closely linked to the dearth of affordable housing in New York and other big cities. Of that amount, $8.8 billion would go to housing vouchers and $2.2 billion to more short-term assistance. Homelessness among veterans has dropped by 36 percent around the country since 2010, and in several cities, including Houston, New Orleans and New York, the decreases have surpassed the national average. But family homelessness has proved more persistent as low wages fail to keep pace with skyrocketing housing costs in many cities. … About 26 percent of homeless families are in New York State, which had the largest one-year increase in family homelessness from 2014 to 2015, with the bulk living in New York City. As of Wednesday, about 12,000 families with children were in shelters overseen by the city’s Department of Homeless Services. “We can see that in New York City specifically, there is a tremendous need,” said Julián Castro, the federal housing secretary. “As New York City goes, so goes the nation.”
