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Young Mothers: Targeting Housing and Services Conference Overview

Explore the challenges faced by homeless young mothers in accessing housing and services, their unique needs, and the impact of trauma on their lives. Discover strategies to address homelessness among young mothers at the National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference.

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Young Mothers: Targeting Housing and Services Conference Overview

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  1. Young Mothers: Targeting Housing and Services National Alliance to End Homelessness Conference February 9, 2007

  2. Young Mothers: Targeting Housing and Services Research Overview Katie Volk, MA

  3. Who Are Homeless Families? • Mother with two children. • 42% of sheltered children under 6 years old. • 43% African-American; 38% White, non Hispanic; 15% Hispanic; 3% Native American. Burt, M. & Aron, L. (2000). America’s Homeless II: Populations and Services (Washington, DC: The Urban Institute).

  4. Homeless Mothers • 53% without a high school diploma. • Minimum wage jobs with no benefits or flexibility. • Mean income 46% of poverty level. Burt, M, Aron, L., Douglas, T. et al. (1999). Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve. Urban Institute.

  5. Many Homeless Families Are Hidden • Unsheltered families include: • Doubled up • In campgrounds, cars, parks • Hotels/motels • 29% of shelter requests by families went unmet in 2006. • 86% of cities turned families away from emergency shelters due to lack of resources. Source: US Conference of Mayors, 2006. US Conference of Mayors. (2004). Hunger and Homelessness Survey 2004.

  6. Homelessness and Trauma:Mothers’ Experiences • Homelessness is traumatic. • 92% experience severe physical and/or sexual abuse in their lifetime. Homeless Children: America’s New Outcasts (1999). Newton Centre, MA: The National Center on Family Homelessness.

  7. Impact of Homelessness and Trauma Homeless mothers have: • Three times the rate of PTSD (36%) • Twice the rate of drug and alcohol dependence (41%) • Twice the rate of major depressive disorders (45%) Bassuk, E.L., Buckner, J., Perloff, J., & Bassuk, S. (1998). Prevalence of mental health and substance abuse disorders among homeless and low-income housed mothers. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(1): 1561-1564. Bassuk, E.L., Weinreb, L., Buckner, J. , et al. (1996). The characteristics and needs of sheltered homeless and low-income housed mothers. JAMA, 276(8): 640-646.

  8. Young Mothers • 26% of family homeless population is 17-24 years old. (1) • One-third who exit shelter likely to become homeless again within 10 years. (2) (1): Burt, M, Aron, L., Douglas, T. et al. (1999). Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve. Urban Institute. (2): Smith N et al. Understanding family homelessness in NYC. Vera Institute of Justice. 2005.

  9. Homelessness and Foster Care • Overrepresentation in homeless population. • Those with a foster care history tend to become homeless at an earlier age than those who do not have a foster care history. (1) • Childhood placement in foster care can correlate with a substantial increase in the length of a person's homeless experience. (1) (1): Roman, N. and Wolfe, P. (1995). Web of Failure: The Relationship Between Foster Care and Homelessness. Washington, DC: National Alliance to End Homelessness.

  10. Housing and Services: Challenges and Opportunities

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