The American Almanac of Family Homelessness State Rankings Josef Kannegaard Senior Policy Analyst, The Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness January 14, 2016 Todays Presentation I.Introduction to The American Almanac of Family Homelessness II.The State Rankings A.How were they created? B.What did we learn? C.How can you use them? III.Discussion Groups A.What challenges have state policies created for you? B.How could other states models be applied where you live? IV.Lessons from Discussion and Q&A American Almanac of Family Homelessness 2015 edition includes: 1.State Rankings Ranks states across 10 homelessness indicators 2.State Dashboards Offers homeless services statistics by state 3.Ideas for Action Provides policy recommendations 4.Issue by Issue Highlights research on family homelessness and interventions State Dashboards Ideas for Action Policy Recommendation Enact state laws to protect survivors of domestic and sexual violence from housing discrimination and increase federal funding for domestic violence shelters. Issue by Issue A closer look at six topics Definitions, Demographics, and Trends in Student and Family Homelessness Macroeconomic Causes of Family Homelessness Effects of Homelessness on Families and Children Educating Homeless Children Federal Homelessness Policy Mainstream Social Safety Net Programs State Family Homelessness Rankings 2 Goals To evaluate how well states identify and assist homeless children as they progress through school. To compare states policies with regard to serving the broader needs of homeless families. 10 indicators (5 each) were used to create the 2 rankings. Complete rankings and methodology can be viewed in the Almanac at State Education Ranking AgeIndicator U.S. average Birth pre-K Percentage of children in Early Head Start and Head Start who are homeless 4.6% Homeless children as a percentage of poor children in pre-kindergarten 3.9% Grades K12 Homeless children as a percentage of extremely poor children in grades kindergarten through % Number of school-aged children living doubled up for every school-aged child staying in shelter 4.9 College Percentage of unaccompanied homeless FAFSA applicants assisted by a homeless program 47.3% Birth to Pre-K We know how important early education is. Early education spurs socioemotional development and improves later educational outcomes (less grade retention, higher rates of graduation). Funding does not equal access for homeless children. Cities and states that have expanded or universal pre-K still face challenges of raising awareness and encouraging participation among homeless families Measuring homeless students as a proportion of poor children controls for a states level of poverty (i.e. states are not penalized if they have high participation but low raw numbers). K12 and College McKinney-Vento guarantees equal education for homeless children, but these rights can be hard to provide. Students face different challenges depending on whether they are living doubled-up or in a shelter. Many doubled-up students may not have been identified and are disconnected from services. Comparing the ratio of doubled-up to sheltered students approximates the rate of under-identification when compared to the national average. Mississippi, Utah, and Louisiana have the most doubled-up students per those living in shelter. A college education correlates with higher lifetime earnings, but the application process can require information homeless youth do not have. Helping homeless applicants while filing for financial aid lowers this barrier to entry. The Education Rankings Key Findings from the State Education Ranking Birthpre-K States that serve the lowest percentage of children in Early Head Start and Head Start who are homeless are located in the Southeast. Homeless children are under-enrolled in pre-K programs in the majority of states, compared to enrollment in later grades. Grades K12 In 17 states, fewer than 1 in 5 extremely poor students were identified as homeless. The ratio of doubled-up to sheltered students varies dramatically, from over 20:1 to less than 2 doubled-up students per every one in shelter. College Fewer than half of unaccompanied homeless youth receive the waivers necessary to apply for federal financial aid as independent students, which would make college more affordable. Success Stories Montana In 201213, Montana had 29 Head Start or Early Head Start programs. 12% of children served in the state were homeless, a 38% increase since 200708. Wisconsin 17.3% of all poor children enrolled in the state pre-K program were homeless, the highest participation rate in the country. Only 3 states serve more homeless children. Maine 67.9% of unaccompanied homeless youth who applied for federal aid were assisted by a liaison or administrator. Other predominantly rural states were also highly ranked, such as Nebraska and South Dakota. State Policy Ranking AgeIndicator U.S. average Housing Affordable and available rental units per 100 extremely low-income households 31 Minimum wage as a percentage of the wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent 38.6% Child care Number of policies that reduce homeless families barriers to accessing child care 7 total Domestic violence Number of laws that protect survivors of domestic and sexual violence from housing discrimination 16 total Food insecurity Number of policies that reduce homeless families risk for food insecurity 3 total HousingHousing costs covered by minimum wage Hawaii 22.6% New York 28.7% New Jersey 29.2% Maryland 29.6% California 31.0% Massachusetts 33.3% Virginia 35.0% Delaware 35.1% New Hampshire 35.4% Connecticut 35.5% Available units per 100 ELI households Nevada 15 California 21 Arizona 22 Oregon 22 Florida 23 Colorado 24 Utah 24 Texas 25 Washington 28 Georgia 29 Examples of State Policies Child Care (The Child Care and Development Fund) A separate eligibility category for homelessness Making homeless children a priority population to serve Higher reimbursement for child-care during non-traditional hours Domestic Violence Categorize DV survivors as homeless and establish a right to shelter. Allow lease bifurcation, permitting landlords to evict perpetrators alone. Enable survivors to terminate leases early without penalty Food Insecurity Allow SNAP recipients to use standard deduction rather than excess shelter deduction in calculating income. Increase Low-Income Home Energy Assistance to compensate for 2014 changes to Heat and Eat SNAP deduction. Tailor WIC packages for families without clean water, cooking facilities, refrigeration, or storage [partial credit given]. The Policy Rankings Housing All but three states have fewer than one affordable rental unit available for every two extremely low-income families. In 28 states, the minimum wage covered less than half the cost necessary for a single full-time worker to afford a two-bedroom apartment. Child care Forty-one states do not prioritize homeless children for federal child care subsidies. Domestic violence 33 states have four or fewer of 16 key statutes that protect survivors of domestic violence from housing discrimination and homelessness. Food insecurity Only five states offer two income deductions that increase homeless and at risk families SNAP benefits. Key Findings from the State Policy Rankings West Virginia State minimum wage goes the furthest in West Virginia, with 59% of the fair-market rent for a 2 bedroom apartment covered by a wage of $7.25 an hour. West Virginia has since increased its minimum wage to $8.75 an hour. Massachusetts Six out of the seven policies known to improve subsidy access for homeless families are in place. Massachusetts was also the first state to establish a separate agency overseeing early childhood education services. Wisconsin Has 12 statutes protecting the housing rights of domestic violence survivors. Less common protections include eviction defense, which prevents survivors from being considered to pose a threat, and lease bifurcation. Success Stories Raising Awareness and Advocacy Discussion GroupsNow we want to hear from you! In your group, please share any challenges (or successes) youve had in your particular issue area as a result of the policies of where you live. Listening to each other, what are the lessons your state might be able to take from another? Finally, how would you want to use this information to make a change? Thank You!For more information or to download a copy of The American Almanac of Family Homelessness, please visit us at:You can also contact me directly at: