Posted on April 7, 2016 by Jacquelyn Simone Children are the often-unseen victims of the homelessness crisis, with nearly 24,000 boys and girls bedding down in New York City shelters tonight. The instability of homelessness has significant long-term ramifications for these young people, who are more likely to fall behind in school and suffer emotional and health obstacles. We know how to put an end to this tragedy: by investing in proven, housing-based solutions such as public housing, Section 8 vouchers, rental assistance programs and permanent supportive housing. President Obama recently proposed spending $11 billion over 10 years to combat family homelessness – incredibly welcome news – but an effective strategy must involve coordination from all levels of government. In his New York Times column today, Nicholas Kristof calls for further investments in permanent housing resources to end national family homelessness. In no place is this more relevant than New York City, where family homelessness continues to remain at near-record levels, bucking trends in other parts of the country: The United States has 64,000 families who are homeless, including 123,000 children, and many will be permanently harmed by the experience. We have growing evidence that traumas like homelessness can flood a child’s brain with a stress hormone, cortisol, and impair brain development. In a year in which there finally is serious talk about inequality, the ultimate poverty is lack of shelter. And the good news is that in the last decade or so, we’ve figured out what works to address it; the problem is not inevitable. The Housing First approach, which gets people quickly into permanent housing and then offers support services to keep them there, seems particularly cost-effective. Family homelessness is down almost one-fifth since 2010, and veteran homelessness is down much more — two states say they have functionally ended homelessness of veterans. Another reason for optimism: With almost no fanfare, President Obama’s budget proposal includes $11 billion over 10 years, which he says would end family and youth homelessness. This is a step to end a level of homelessness that just isn’t tolerated in other developed countries. So if we can have a robust national debate about the way Donald Trump’s campaign manager grabbed a reporter’s arm, let’s also muster a debate about whether candidates will help end family homelessness in America. This goes to the heart of American poverty — and values.
