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Did you know . . . . .
NATIONAL
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According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, “most Americans underestimate how the problem of homelessness affects families. About 600,000 families and 1.35 million children experience homelessness in the United States.” |
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According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “poverty and the lack of affordable housing are the principal causes of family homelessness. . . Today, 35.2% of persons living in poverty are children; in fact, the 2004 poverty rate of 17.8% for children under 18 years old is significantly higher than the poverty rate for any other age group (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2005).” |
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Declining wages and changes in welfare programs account for increasing poverty among families. Declining wages have put housing out of reach for many families: in every state, metropolitan area, county, and town, more than the minimum wage is required to afford a one- or two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent (National Low Income Housing Coalition, 2000). . . Welfare caseloads have dropped sharply since the passage and implementation of welfare reform legislation. However, declining welfare rolls simply mean that fewer people are receiving benefits -- not that they are employed or doing better financially. (See Homeless Families With Children fact sheet) |
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According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, “one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is families with children. A 2005 study revealed that of the counted homeless population there were 98,452 homeless families, making up 41% of the entire homeless population (Homelessness Counts, 2007). Research indicates that families, single mothers, and children make up the largest group of people who are homeless in rural areas (Vissing, 1996). Approximately 924,000 children are homeless, and in 1995, 4.2% of children under the age of one year were homeless (Urban Institute, 2000; Culhane & Metraux, 1999). Homeless families are most commonly headed by single mothers in their late 20s with approximately two children (Rog & Buckner, 2007).” (See Homeless Families With Children fact sheet) |
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FLORIDA
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According to Florida Impact, Florida has the fourth-highest number of children living at or below poverty among the states – 713,162 children. Over 65% of Florida school children qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. |
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According to the DCF Annual Report on Homelessness Conditions in Florida 2007, children under the age of 18 make up over 21% of the State’s homeless population. |
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ALACHUA COUNTY
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According to Feeding Florida 2007, prepared by Florida Impact, the poverty rate for Alachua
County is 16.2 %. This means that more than 34,000 of our citizens live in poverty. Almost 9,000
of these are children! |
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The minimum wage in Florida as of January 1, 2008 is $6.79/hour (Workforce Innovation). This means that the before-tax wages of a single parent working 40 hours/week is $1,176.93/month, or $14,123.20/year. |
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However, the Economic Policy Institute reports that it takes an income of $2,576/month, or $30,912/year, for a single parent with two children in Gainesville to have enough income to pay for basic needs, e.g., for the family to feed, shelter, and clothe itself, get to work and school, and subsist in 21st century Gainesville. It includes no savings, no restaurant meals, no funds for emergencies—not even renters' insurance to protect against fire, flood or theft. (See basic family budget calculator.) |
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Families living in poverty are always at risk of losing their housing. Many must live in subsidized housing or with family and friends. Many must utilize subsidized day care when it is available. In Alachua County, the waiting list for subsidized housing ranges from six months to two years, depending upon the provider and the family size. Subsidized daycare for the working poor is available only sporadically. Most often over the past several years there has been a long waiting list. |
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The 2009 Point in Time Survey conducted by the Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry and the Gainesville-Alachua County Office on Homelessness found that there are at least 1370 homeless persons in Alachua County on a given day. According to the School Board of Alachua County, at least 413 of these are school children. |
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INTERFAITH HOSPITALITY NETWORK
Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Gainesville opened its doors in April, 1998. In December, 2006 the Transitional Housing Program was begun. Since opening its doors: |
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IHN has provided 32,971 nights of shelter for members of homeless families with children |
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IHN has provided 108,315 meals for members of homeless families with children |
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IHN has provided 8,980 nights of transitional housing |
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| But there is so much more to be done . . . |
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