Homelessness

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In the National HCH Council, agencies and individuals, clinicians and advocates, homeless people and housed people come together for mutual support and learning opportunities, and to advance the cause of human rights.

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I first became homeless in 1982. I had just turned 21, yet did not know how to live on my own. I have struggled with homelessness ever since. I have spent about half of my adult life living without a home. I have been able to gain my independence with the help of others, but I have never been able to maintain it. Cyclical in nature, I have been in and out of homelessness at least 8 times. I’ve experienced the “good life,” being married with children, having a job and a house and two cars. And I’ve experienced the not-so-good life, being homeless.

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Regularly updated blog on homeless issues in Los Angeles, and nationwide.

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That mission, our common bond, is to end homelessness. We are committed to creating the systemic and attitudinal changes necessary to prevent and end homelessness. At the same time, we work to meet the immediate needs of people who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of doing so. We take as our first principle of practice that people who are currently experiencing homelessness or have formerly experienced homelessness must be actively involved in all of our work.

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The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated solely to ending America's affordable housing crisis. We believe that this is achievable, that the affordable housing crisis is a problem that Americans are capable of solving. While we are concerned about the housing circumstances of all low income people, we focus our advocacy on those with the most serious housing problems, the lowest income households.

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The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a leading voice on the issue of homelessness. The Alliance analyzes policy and develops pragmatic, cost-effective policy solutions. We work collaboratively with the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to build state and local capacity, leading to stronger programs and policies that help homeless individuals and families make positive changes in their lives. We provide data and research to policymakers and elected officials in order to inform policy debates and educate the public and opinion leaders nationwide.

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The purpose of this project is to examine the connection between foster care and homelessness and to determine whether or not there is an over-representation of people with a foster care history in the homeless population. In order to examine this issue, the project used four sources of information: (1) existing research on the connection between foster care and homelessness; (2) data collected from organizations which serve homeless people and which gather information on their clients' foster care history; (3) data obtained directly from a sample of homeless people; and (4) case studies of people who are or were homeless and who have a foster care history. The principle findings of this study are as follows.

• There is an over-representation of people with a foster care history in the homeless population.
• Homeless people with a foster care history are more likely than other people to have their own children in foster care.
• Very frequently, people who are homeless had multiple placements as children: some were in foster care, but others were "unofficial" placements in the homes of family or friends.

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Outside In offers a safe place to connect with other youth, eat healthy meals, and access services that will help you stay safe, and help you build up for yourself the life you want.

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You can read about Dr. Ensign and her work here.

You can read the full text of the study here.