Presentation given by ... at a FEANTSA Research Conference on "Homelessness and Poverty", Paris, France, 2009

1. Frayed Safety Nets
and
Fractured Support Networks
A U.S. Perspective on the Link between
Family Homelessness and Poverty
Ralph da Costa Nuñez, Ph.D.
Institute for Children & Poverty
New York City
FEANTSA European Observatory on Homelessness
European Research Conference
September 2009

2. Institute for Children and Poverty
 An independent non-profit research organization based in New York
City.
 Studies the impact of poverty on family and child well-being.
 Generates research to enhance public policies and program
affecting poor and homeless children and their families.
 Particular focus on extreme poverty in the U.S. and its effect on
housing, educational attainment, employment, child
welfare, domestic violence, and family wellness.
http://www.icpny.org
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3. Family Homelessness in the U.S.
 In 2008, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD) reported that at least 249,000 parents and children
experienced homelessness.
 Every year an estimated 1.3 million children, from 600,000 families
experience some type of homelessness.
 On a typical day in New York City:
 Between 120 and 150 new families enter the shelter system.
 Over 9,600 families comprising 14,000 adults and over 15,000
children are homeless every night.
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4. Family Homelessness in the U.S. (cont.)
 Homeless families with children are the fastest growing segment of
the homeless population.
 In 2008, 16 out of 22 large cities surveyed reported an increase in
the number of homeless families during the last year, citing the
recession among the top reasons for this increase.
 20 percent of all school districts reported that more homeless
children enrolled during the fall of 2008 than over the entire 2007-
2008 school year.
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5. Poverty and the Current Recession
 In 2007, a family of four would have to have an income of less than
$20,650 per year to be counted in the U.S. poverty statistics.
 7.6 million U.S. families lived in poverty (9.8%)
 13.3 million U.S. children lived in poverty (18%)
 44% of poor children lived in deep poverty (families with incomes
at or below 50% or poverty level)
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6. Poverty and the Current Recession (cont.)
 In June 2009, the U.S. unemployment rate reached 9.5%, the
highest rate in 26 years. It is expected to exceed 10% by 2010.
 If the poverty rate responds to changes in unemployment rates as
in past recessions, the number of:
 Individuals living in poverty could increase by 8 to 12 million for
a total of 45 to 49 million people.
 Children living in poverty could increase by 3 to 4 million for a
total of 16 to 17 million children.
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7. ICP Homeless Family Study
 The Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) is a
national representative sample of approximately 5,000 births in 20
large U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000.
 FFCWS interviewed mothers at the focal child’s birth and again
when child is one, three, and five years old.
 ICP is studying a subgroup of FFCWS families who live in poverty
to examine their prevalence of homelessness and the link to
residential stability, dependence on public assistance, and the
strength of their financial safety nets and support networks.
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8. Characteristics of Poor Families
Characteristics: All Poor Ever Never
Homeless Homeless
 Demographically, families Age of Mothers
who have and have not 15-19 years old: 10% 23% 20%
20-25 years old: 52% 44% 41%
experienced 26-30 years old: 21% 13% 23%
31-48 years old: 17% 20% 16%
homelessness are similar.
Race/ Ethnicity
 Most families headed by Black/ Non-Hispanic: 58% 74% 56%
Hispanic: 32% 18% 34%
a young mother. (avg. 24 White/Non Hispanic: 8% 5% 8%
years old) Other: 2% 3% 2%
Number of Children
 Black/Non-Hispanics are Two or Less: 44% 50% 43%
over represented. Three to Four: 42% 40% 43%
More than Five: 14% 10% 14%
 One-third of all mothers Relationship with Child’s
have no relationship with Father
Married: 14% 5% 16%
their child’s father. Romantically Involved: 20% 17% 21%
Separated/Divorced: 9% 8% 9%
Friends: 24% 28% 24%
 The majority did not No Relationship: 33% 42% 31%
completed high school.
Education
Less than high school: 64% 65% 64%
HS Diploma or GED: 25% 28% 24%
Some College/Tech: 11% 7% 12%
College Degree: <1% <1% <1%
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9. Residential Stability and Homelessness
of Poor Families
 Children in poor families more likely to experience housing
instability with 78% of families moving at least once by the time the
child has turned five.
 On average poor children move twice by age five, with 34%
moving three or more times.
 22% of the families experienced some type of homelessness
(including being doubled-up with family and friends, or living in
shelters, cars, tents or abandoned buildings)
 11% of the families experienced literal homelessness (only those
living in shelters, cars, tents or abandoned buildings)
 Over 440 children were homelessness at least once in the five year
study period.
 Over one in four families were homeless more than once.
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10. Residential Stability and Homelessness
of Poor Families
Among poor families who experienced homelessness:
 59% of the children moved 3 or more times by age five.
 5% of families reported no moves which means the children were
homeless consistently for the first five years of their lives.
59%
70%
60%
50%
34%
31%
40%
25%
24%
24%
22%
21%
20%
30% 20%
16%
20%
5%
10%
0%
None One Twice Three or
more
All Poor Ever Homeless Poor Never Homeless
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11. Income and Economic Resources of Poor Families
Among poor families who experienced homelessness:
 Over half earned no income during the last 12 months.
 Earned less than the average poor family.
 Less likely to have sufficient funds for routine living expenses.
47%
Earned no income 53%
46%
68%
Earned income <$10,000/year 76%
67%
46%
Unpaid utility bills 64%
44%
11%
Family experienced hunger 23%
9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
All Poor Ever Homeless Poor Never Homeless
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12. Poor Families and Dependence on Public Assistance
 Poor families who have experienced homelessness are more
dependent on public assistance than other poor families.
100% 95%
90% 80% 83%
78%
80%
70% 59% 56% 57%
60% 52%
50% 45% 44% 41% 40%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Received food Received welfare Received housing Lived in public
stamps benefits assist./vouchers housing
All Poor Ever Homeless Poor Never Homeless
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13. Safety Nets and Support Networks of Poor Families
 While poor families have limited support networks and financial
safety nets, those who have experienced homeless fare far
worse.
Support Networks Financial Safety Nets
59%
33% No one to cosign a
No financial or parenting 71%
42% $1,000 loan
support from child's father 58%
31%
56%
21% No one to lend them
No one to provide 68%
27% $1,000
emergency childcare 55%
20%
28%
24% No one to lend them
No where to stay in case of 35%
33% $200
an emergency 27%
23%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%
0% 20% 40% 60%
All Poor Ever Homeless Poor Never Homeless
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14. Domestic Violence Experiences of Poor Families
 Poor mothers who have experienced homelessness are more
likely to have experienced domestic violence, thus further
contributing to their housing instability.
50% 46%
45% 43%
40%
35% 32%
30% 30%
30% 28%
25% 22%
20%
15% 12% 11%
10%
5%
0%
Experienced some type of Experienced physical Experienced sexual
domestic violence domestic violence domestic violence
All Poor Ever Homeless Poor Never Homeless
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15. Conclusions
 While it appears that poor mothers who experienced
homelessness are very similar to all other poor mothers, they are
more likely to be black and to have no relationship with their
child’s father.
 Poor families who experience homelessness are more likely to
have had histories of housing instability.
 While overall all poor families have limited incomes, those who
experience homelessness are more dependent on public
assistance and are more likely to lack sufficient funds to pay living
expenses.
 In general poor families lack strong financial safety nets and
support networks. However, these are weaker for poor families
who experience homelessness.
 Poor mothers who experience homelessness are more likely to
have experienced some type of domestic violence when
compared to other poor mothers.
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