Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless

Every three years since 1991, Wilder Research conducts a statewide survey of homelessness in Minnesota. Their most recent report shows troubling new trends in homeless families with children. Following decreases in 2003 and 2006, the number of homeless children and their families has increased to the highest level yet. At 3,251, the number of homeless children is more than 3 times the number found in 1991.

Why are we seeing more homeless families with children?

With changes in our economy in the past few years, more Minnesotans have lost permanent housing due to the following reasons:

• 11% of homeless parents had been laid off in the preceding 6 months
• 35% of homeless parents have experienced an eviction or foreclosure.
• 37% of homeless parents had left their last housing because they lost a job or had hours cut.

Asked what prevented them from getting housing, the most common response among homeless parents was a lack of housing they can afford. The median income of homeless parents is $532, but the fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in the Twin Cities is $873.

How does homelessness affect children in school?

Homeless children face many barriers to participating in school, including chronic stress, inadequate sleep or food, unsafe or unstable housing, and lack of necessary school supplies and clothing. However, a quality education is critical to ending the cycle of poverty. Some key facts from the 2009 study illustrate the importance of increased educational support for homeless children:

• 34% of homeless parents first experienced homelessness as a child, a 9% increase from 2006.
• 11% of parents reported that their children had trouble going to school because of their housing situation, an increase from rates below 10% seen in 2003 and 2006.
• Compared to other students, homeless students are equally likely to be identified as gifted or talented, but twice as likely to need special education services.
• Only 38% of homeless third-graders scored proficient or better on state math assessments in 2009-10, compared with 83% of all students.

What can we do to help?

Current state and federal funding is not enough to help school districts pay the cost of all the services needed to help homeless students succeed in school. You can help homeless students get the resources they need by making a gift to Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless to support our Education Fund. This unique grant program provides backpacks, school supplies, clothing, activity fees and much more so that homeless students can participate fully in school.

We also encourage you to read Wilder’s report on homeless children and families to learn more about issues homeless families in Minnesota face. By sharing this information with your friends, family and colleagues, you can help increase awareness of homelessness in Minnesota and inspire others to take action.