By: Gisselle Lyon and Peyton Fronek

Homelessness

Causes:-Family problems

-Economic problems-Residential instability

Consequences• Anxiety and depression

• Poor health and nutrition• Low self-esteem

• Obtaining education• Supporting themselves

emotionally and financially.

Did you know?The homeless population is:

-42% African American -39% American-13% Hispanic

-4% Native American-2% Asian

Why are children homeless?• Poverty

• Family disputes• Unemployment

• Eviction• Violence

• Lack of affordable housing

Most Common Housing for Homeless: -Vehicles -Makeshift housing -Tents -Boxes -Caves -Boxcars

Statistics:Of 23 cities surveyed… -94% of homeless people are single adults-4% are part of families-2% are unaccompanied minors

In Emergency Shelters…-70% are single adults-29% are part of families-1% are unaccompanied minors

What Emotions Can Homelessness Cause?

• Much stress in your life• Makes you feel powerless• Makes you feel afraid if you don’t know what is

going to happen

Homelessness Over the Years:• In the 1800’s, homeless people went to almshouses

• In 1987, 1.7 million had mental problems or couldn’t hold a job

• From 1987-1992, household healthcare payments rose to 56%• In 1995, over 37,000,000 Americans lived below poverty level• Also in 1995, San Francisco issued over 27,000 arrests and

citations

WHO are Homeless?• Large proportion are teenagers

• Runaway or “throwaway” kids whose parents want nothing to do with them

• ½ of all homeless children in NYC are teens• 76% of homeless people in NYC are families with children• Teens are among the fastest growing homeless groups

• 135,000-400,000 veterans are homeless today• Over 70,000 homeless children don’t attend school

regularly• There are about 500 street kids in San Diego, CA

• 750,000 Americans are homeless on any particular night

What happens to their life:• More years on the street means they become

less mobile• Drink more and worry less

• They scavenge, beg, and panhandle• Majority of homeless people would not say

they chose the lifestyle, but that it just happened to them

Did you know?According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, young people are about 15-

20% and almost 1/2 experienced violence in their

homes.

City Laws Against homelessness:

-5 out of 50 cities are named ‘meanest streets’ because of laws of homeless

residents on public property.

Here are some stories…

In the U.S...

And life in a private shelter?

Not easy

Here’s how YOU can help!

You can help by simply CAREing:

-Contribute (food drives, money, etc.)-Advocate-Reach out (volunteering)-Educate

Needed items include:• Clothing• In-kind services and materials• Household goods and other items• Books• Homeless “survival kits”

So don’t turn away!HELP OUT!

Bibliography:• Criswell, Sara Dixon. Homelessness. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. • "National Coalition for the Homeless - How You Can Help End

Homelessness." National Coalition for the Homeless. National Coalition for the Homeless, 27 Mar. 2012. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nationalhomeless.org/want_to_help/index.html>.

• O'Connor, Karen. Homeless Children. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1989. Print. • "How Many People Experience Homelessness?" National Coalition for

the Homeless. National Coalition for the Homeless, 15 Dec. 2011. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/How_Many.html>.

• "Why Are People Homeless?" National Coalition for the Homeless. National Coalition for the Homeless, 27 Mar. 2012. Web. 06 Apr. 2012. <http://www.nationalhomeless.org/factsheets/why.html>.