Homelessness is a negative factor for student achievement. But what exactly can be done to help the homeless? One of the first steps is to fund efforts to help homeless children get an education. Government programs such as the IDEA, or Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, are designed to help the homeless get an education. In addition, some state governments have also started a program to help homeless children get a CNA or other job training.
Homelessness is a serious negative factor that affects student achievement
Several studies have shown a link between homelessness and low academic achievement. The Buckner, Bassuk, and Weinreb study (2001) examined academic achievement among 60 sheltered homeless children and 114 low-income children. The children in the control group did not live in shelters; instead, they lived with other families. Neither homelessness nor poverty significantly affected academic achievement, though homelessness was found to be related to the number of schools children attended in the previous year. Although the findings of these studies have been mixed, most evidence suggests that homelessness negatively affects student achievement, and that the mechanisms behind homelessness are complex and interrelated.
While high residential mobility and homelessness appear to be significant factors affecting student achievement, their effects are not clear. The HHM episode disrupts achievement in an acute way. The findings in Rafferty (2004) support the underperformance view. The study examined the academic achievement of homeless students when they were homeless and after they were re-housed. Children who were homeless and HHM were at an elevated risk of chronic underperformance.
Federal agencies should promote the allocation of expanded and new resources to combat homelessness. These funds should be used to address other pressing social problems, such as the lack of resources to support low-income families. In addition, they should work to prevent the spread of homelessness by adopting a homelessness bill of rights and addressing barriers for people experiencing it. In addition, they should support tailor-made interventions for special populations.
Public policy must address this issue and increase access to affordable housing options and supportive services for homeless individuals. Evidence-based interventions such as Housing First, and Medicaid are available to those who are severely low-income. Permanent supportive housing for people with complex health needs can also be provided. Often, individuals do not have access to reliable public transportation. Language barriers limit access to essential information. In addition, they may not have enough money to pay fares.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and HUD are promoting the Housing First model and encouraging local providers to adopt this model. The Housing First model emphasizes low-barrier access to affordable housing for people with no income. The Housing First model emphasizes harm-reduction approaches to housing and a consumer-driven program structure. The federal government should fund the HCV program and U.S. Department of Agriculture should also contribute to this program.
Unemployment Rates for the Homeless
Unemployment rates for the homeless are high. Unemployment rates can reach 80 percent or more, with rates even higher for those with severe mental illness. Additionally, homeless individuals are also unable to obtain employment because of lack of access to psychiatric care, a phone, or stable housing. These factors may result in limited educational attainment and access to health care. These barriers also negatively affect a young person’s ability to exit the streets.
IDEA
De-institutionalization of mental patients was the main cause of homelessness before the 1980s. In the United States, one-third of the homeless population is diagnosed with serious mental illness, including schizophrenia. Substance abuse is also prevalent, with twenty to forty percent of homeless people struggling with addiction. Living on the street puts homeless individuals in contact with drug dealers and users. As a result, these individuals are at a higher risk of homelessness and are more vulnerable to violent crimes.
Many homeless people live paycheck-to-paycheck or month-to-month, meaning they are always one paycheck away from not making their mortgage or rent. Sometimes, short-term emergencies can cause people to become homeless, which is why homelessness prevention and awareness campaigns are so important. However, there are no guarantees that these programs will be effective. In order to make a difference, advocates need to change the negative perceptions about homelessness and ensure that their voice is heard by policymakers.
In 2002, children and families represented the largest group of homeless individuals. As a result, they presented new challenges to agencies. But, despite these challenges, a number of organizations aimed at alleviating homelessness were able to respond to these needs. Through the Homelessness Action Plan, these organizations have created a clear roadmap to help prevent future homelessness by using American Rescue Plan-HCY funds effectively.
The United States’ homeless population is composed of a significant percentage of chronically unemployed individuals. These individuals struggle with their finances due to a number of factors, including neighborhood gentrification, addiction to drugs, gambling, debt, and underemployment. People are also affected by the lack of affordable housing, discrimination, and lack of access to healthcare. If you or a loved one is struggling financially and you are interested in getting involved, please consider the resources of the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.
Homeless Education and Homelessness
This initiative is crucial to the elimination of homelessness in the United States. The federal government asked major cities to create a plan over a ten-year period to eradicate homelessness in the United States. While the Housing First program does not require any tests, it provides immediate housing without any sort of accountability for substance abuse. Housing First offers clients a higher chance of retaining housing. Ultimately, it can save the United States government billions of dollars.
Despite the importance of addressing homelessness, there are many challenges faced in the fight to end it. The American homeless population has reached record highs, despite the passage of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act in 1994. Despite this, the problem has not been eliminated, largely due to a lack of understanding. The National Alliance to End Homelessness published a policy document in 2001.
CNA
In the last decade, the number of homeless students attending public schools has increased, both in overall numbers and as a percentage of the student population. According to the National Center for Homeless Education, about one million U.S. public school students were homeless in the 2016-17 school year, nearly three percent of the total student population. This increase can be attributed in part to better identification practices and policies. However, it is important to note that some states have higher numbers of homeless students than others.
While a recent study shows that homeless students have a significantly higher chance of failing high school, there are no statistics available on how many children have been homeless for a long time. The study also shows that students from poor families have a higher likelihood of learning disabilities. While these statistics are not conclusive, it is promising to know that the government is working to improve education for homeless children. While these statistics are unfavorable, a number of policies can help address these problems.
Students experiencing homelessness often do not receive adequate support from their parents, so they are forced to work harder to complete assignments, find food, and find ways to get to school. These students are rarely seen in parent-teacher conferences and often stay in temporary housing. In many cases, they actively seek shelter or other means of support. In addition, students with families that are experiencing homelessness are likely to be ill-equipped for post-secondary education.
One study reported that the percentage of homeless students who were not enrolled in high school was almost three times higher than the percentage of enrolled students in the general population. Furthermore, the average income of those with a bachelor’s degree was higher than that of the unemployed youth. This result is consistent with the results published in Washington. Ultimately, there is a clear connection between education and homelessness. The study shows that homelessness has a significant impact on student achievement.
The numbers of homeless students in public schools have increased by 90 percent between 2008 and 2014, from 680,000 to 1.3 million. And, according to the National Center for Homeless Education, 35 percent of the nation’s homeless population is under 24 years old. Similarly, fourteen percent of community college students reported living without food or adequate housing. As a result, their academic performance often lags behind their peers. Educators can advocate for the rights of homeless students, especially in the areas of housing and food insecurity.
The YHDP also helps communities learn from the experience of others. Lessons learned from the YHDP are shared widely, and other communities can apply them to their own circumstances. A listserv for homeless education can be found at the National Center for Homeless Education or the NCHE. State coordinators can help other communities, as can McKinney-Vento liaisons or the school district’s McKinney-Vento liaison.