Homeless Education and Awareness

Homeless Facts

According to data from the 2005 Iowa Statewide Homeless Survey

• There are about 21,280 homeless people annually in Iowa
• Nearly 6,008 homeless people find themselves homeless annually in Polk County
• Close to 50% of Iowa's homeless population are children
• Families with children make up 61% of all homeless households in Iowa

Homeless Youth (under age 18)

• In Iowa, there are 22,636 homeless youth
• In Polk County alone, there are 3,100 homeless youth
• 45% of homeless youth are male and 55% are female

Reasons Teens are Homeless

• Original families are disrupted so there is no longer a family home - lack of affordable housing - lack of well paying job - health care costs - living at 'near homeless' level and pushed over edge by loss of job, etc
• The family home is abusive or unsafe
  • 80% report being physically abused at home
  • 25% report being sexually abused at home
  • 50% report substance abuse by parents
• Behavior problems that lead families to tell teens that they cannot live at home
• Mental illness that limits ability to work
• Lack of education that limits ability to work
• Addiction to alcohol and drugs
• Decisions to spend limited resources on things other than housing

What it means to be Homeless

• Not knowing where you will sleep on a given night
• Running out of friends and acquaintances who will help you out
• Sleeping in a tent, boxcar, shed or automobile
• Having no bathing or restroom facilities
• Not knowing where your next meal will come from
• Not knowing how or where to get a job
• Not having transportation to any job you might get
• Not having a telephone number a prospective employer can call
• Being easy prey to those who would abuse you

Concerns of Homeless Youth

• Safety - violence - rape - accidents
• Health - acute illness - chronic illness - sexually transmitted disease - pregnancy
• Education - goal is to complete high school or get GED - some start college
• Employment - job seeking skills - work expectations- employers who will take a chance on these young people

Measuring Success

• Getting a job
• Getting a job and keeping it
• Completeing a drug or alcohol treatment program
• Staying sober and free of drugs
• Staying clean
• Going to school regularly
• Graduating from middle or high school
• Getting a GED
• Starting college or post-high school program
• Moving from the street to a supported living situation
• Getting a room or an apartment

Moving out of Homelessness is a Step by Step Process

• Bottom: Living on the street, under a bridge, in a camp, or in a boxcar
• Step 1: Staying in an emergency shelter like CISS or Bethel Mission
• Step 2: Doubling up with friends a few days at a time, moving frequently
• Step 3: Living in a sleeping room with no cooking facilities
• Step 4: Living in a transitional living facility like Buchanan House or the Lighthouse
• Step 5: Living in a supported apartment
• Step 6: Living independently in an apartment or renting a house
• Step 7: Home ownership

Not everyone follows every step, but each step upward is a step toward independence.  Some skip steps and move directly to the next level; many who go directly to step 6 from step 2 fall backwards and have to begin again.