Better data collection on homeless children, youth and families
Homeless children, youth and families are often undercounted by HUD's Point in Time Count because they do not access shelters as frequently as other populations. There are various reasons for this. Shelters may require a family to split up if there are males in the household. Unaccompanied youth may be concerned about their safety in a shelter, as well as being exposed to authorities and being wrongfully charged with truancy or other crimes as a result of being unaccompanied. Finally, there are simply often not enough beds for all the homeless children, youth, and families in a community. Therefore, homeless children, youth, and families that are living doubled up or in motels should also be counted as homeless for the purposes of determining funding and grant decisions.
-
Anonymous commented
This data issue could be addressed by improving data sharing and coordination with public school systems. Every public school district is required to have a Homeless Liaison to identify and serve homeless children and youth, whether or not they are funded by the competitive homeless education grants from USED. If we connect the systems we already have in place NOW befor our focus inthis campaign turns to ending family & youth homelessness, we will increases our chances of success.