Homelessness - a REAL problem

In Our Nation…

1. On any given night in America, an estimated 700,00 people are    homeless.  Over the course of a year,
   3 to 4 million people experience homelessness.^1,2 

2. Families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population, representing about 40 percent
   of all homeless people.   One out of every four homeless persons is a child. ^1,2

3. According to a report of the Mayors of 27 major U.S. cities, requests for emergency shelter by families increased 22 percent between 2000 and 2001.  Over half of families' requests for shelter went unmet.3 

4. According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau report, there are about 32 million poor people in America.  One out of every five children lives in poverty.4

5. Often, it is the working poor who find themselves homeless.  The effects of homelessness are usually devastating to the survival of the family unit.5
    

    

In Warren County…

6. In Warren County, homeless families are placed in temporary shelters like motels or referred out of the county to homeless shelters or other IHNs in Hunterdon, Sussex, and Morris Counties.⁶ 

7. When referred out of the county to other IHNs, families are less likely to locate and secure housing and employment in their home community.  Furthermore, the children are usually unable to continue attending their own, familiar schools.⁶

8. When referred out of the county to homeless shelters, families are usually separated into men's and women's shelters.  In other words, husbands are separated from wives and children, depending on their age, may be separated from their single parents.  For example, a single mom may be placed in a women's shelter while her older son will be placed, in all likelihood, in a men's shelter.⁶

9. When families are placed in temporary shelters like motels, there is little case management and little or no additional support such as meals, services, or other help.  In Warren County, the ability to keep families in temporary shelters is severely limited.⁶

10. There are about 110 homeless persons each month in Warren County.  Nearly half of our homeless population, approximately 50 people, are families.⁶

11. Typically, half of the homeless families in Warren County are children.  Usually, the children in our homeless families are under the age of six.^5,6

12. On any given night in Warren County, it is estimated that there are between 20 to 25 homeless children. ⁶

References

1. NCH Fact Sheet #2, Published by National Coalition for the Homeless, February 1999.  www.nationalhomeless.org/facts.html

2. Swick, Kevin J, Understanding the Needs of Homeless Families, University of South Carolina.  www.serve.org/nche/composit.html

3. U.S. Conference of Mayors, Hunger and Homelessness Report, 2001. www.usmayors.org/uscm/news/press_releases/documents/hunger_121101.asp

4. U.S. Census Bureau, Poverty in the United States, 1999. www.census.gov/hhes/poverty/poverty99/pov99hi.html

5.  Family Promise, Summit, NJ: Data on file.

6. Norwescap, Phillipsburg, NJ: Data on file.

Interfaith Hospitality Networks

5. More than 4000 congregations are involved in Interfaith Hospitality programs

6. Over 125 Interfaith Hospitality Networks (106 affiliates) operate in 35 states in the U.S

7. More than 60 networks are currently forming and expanding into 3 more states

8. Over 100,000 volunteers are involved in Interfaith Hospitality Networks

9. More than 130,000 homeless persons, parents and children, have been helped

10. Last year, 83% of guest families found permanent or transitional housing

11. Over 100 direct service and housing programs have developed from Interfaith Hospitality Network.