Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice’s Post

Having accurate data on who and how your organization or school is helping is an important first step.

Addressing Homelessness in Milwaukee Milwaukee has seen a heartbreaking 17% increase in homelessness over the past two years. This alarming rise isn’t just a reflection of economic challenges—it directly contributes to increased criminal activity throughout our state. Research shows a strong correlation between higher rates of homelessness and a surge in violent crime, creating unsafe conditions for all of us. I recall one former MATC student who faced domestic violence but had no choice other than staying with her abuser because she couldn’t afford to live anywhere else. Thankfully, MATC was able to provide student housing as a temporary solution, but this situation serves as a painful reminder of the critical need for more permanent affordable housing and comprehensive support systems for those in crisis. The potential impact of addressing this issue is profound. Studies show that cities investing in housing-first programs experience significant reductions in violence—by as much as 30% in some cases. Imagine the transformation we could see in Milwaukee if we made similar investments in housing and community care. Over the past decade, I’ve witnessed the tragic effects of homelessness firsthand, including incidents involving unhoused individuals—often not Milwaukee Area Technical College students—seeking refuge in our college’s hallways. MATC has long been a place of support for anyone in need, whether a student or not. In addition to temporary housing solutions, we also offer an open-access food pantry that serves both students and community members, providing critical resources to those in need. However, this is not enough. As a city and a county, we must take more decisive action. Real change begins with education and civic engagement. I urge everyone to vote at both the local and national levels, attend town halls, engage with civic leaders, and partner with community service providers. We must advocate for policies that prioritize housing, dignity, and support over punitive measures, especially in marginalized communities. Together, we can address the systemic causes of homelessness and create a Milwaukee where everyone has access to safe, stable housing. #MilwaukeeHomelessness #HousingSolutions #CivicAction #MATC #CommunitySupport #EndHomelessness #Vote #HousingFirst

Back to School, But Different for Some 🎒 As kids head back to school, remember this time of year is filled with challenges for those without stable housing. In the DC region, families represent 36% of all people experiencing homelessness, many of them with students who: - lack basic essentials like clothes, shoes and backpacks - struggle with being on time or making it to school - miss out on a good night's sleep, making it hard to focus in class. Homeless students are 87% more likely to drop out of school and only 64% graduate. This back-to-school season, let's be more aware of the problem of homelessness and what it looks like. #WhatHomelessLooksLike #BackToSchool #HomelessStudents #EndHomelessness #PathwayHomes

What are wraparound supports and how can they benefit students experiencing homelessness? Kimberly Anderson and Patricia Popp dig into the details in this blog post. https://lnkd.in/e_5p3jWj #homelessnessawareness

We serve high school students aged 14 to 22 who are unaccompanied and face homelessness as defined by the McKinney-Vento Act. Here are the definitions: 🔸 “Homeless youth” means youth who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, including those who are sharing the housing of others due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; staying in motels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to the lack of an adequate alternative; staying in shelters or transitional housing; or sleeping in cars, parks, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, or similar settings. 42 U.S.C. 11434a(2) 🔸 “Unaccompanied youth” includes homeless youth who are not in the physical custody of a parent or guardian. 42 U.S.C. 11434a(6) Mentors at our partner schools help us identify teens who meet our criteria and agree to a student contract that promotes academic success. Together, we can make a difference! #SPIRITNYS #SupportingStudents #HomelessYouth #YouAreNotAlone

This story from the Washington State Standard highlights the growing issue of homelessness among K-12 students, a topic we examined in our performance audit five years ago. https://ow.ly/qmlE50Rua05 View a summary and key findings of our published report here: https://ow.ly/FBnb50Rua04

According to a recent study - relationship problems, family breakups, inability to pay rent or a mortgage, losing a job and inability to find work are the top contributing factors leading people into homelessness across metro Denver. For youth experiencing homelessness, the consequences can be dire. "Housing instability complicates education. Kids who experience homelessness are significantly more likely to be disconnected from the education system. They are much less likely than their peers with stable housing to graduate from high school. The reasons for education disruptions range from frequent relocations to mental health issues." Youth can often experience bullying from their housing situation as well, making it very difficult to want to attend school. This is why Bridge of Hope Denver focuses not only on the single mother but also on supporting her children. This starts with safe and stable housing. With housing as a foundation, the journey towards self-sufficiency, education, healing, and reaching goals can begin. To learn more about how we help and how you can join us, please visit www.bridgeofhopedenver.org. #coloradohomelessness #makeadifference #endhomelessness

Challenges facing students experiencing homelessness have increased since the pandemic, creating an even greater need for support from schools. Districts have until September 30th to spend their share of $800 million in one-time federal aid that Congress dedicated to that work. This huge influx of funding gave districts greater flexibility, allowing many to adopt creative approaches to supporting students and families experiencing homelessness. Here's how some schools are using it: https://lnkd.in/gNfWCfJC

When that many children are experiencing homelessness, you have to guess that priorities in schools have to adjust. Food security takes on a different urgency. And it’s not hard to believe that it’s making it difficult for children to be fully attuned to learning. Ending childhood hunger means helping families just get the basics of basic needs- a home and a level of financial security. Imagine how much better we would all be if this many children were secure going to school. We must do better for children.

Poverty and homelessness does not have a particular face or type. Interesting article.