R.I. ranks 19th on child-homelessness report

PROVIDENCE – Rhode Island ranked 19th in a nationwide study that measured the extent of child homelessness, well-being of children, risk for family homelessness and policy response.
The report, America’s Youngest Outcasts, which was released Monday by The National Center on Family Homelessness at American Institutes for Research, ranked states from one to 50, with one being best and 50, worst. It will be presented to Congress in February.
“Child homelessness has reached epidemic proportions in America,” Carmela DeCandia, director of The National Center on Family Homelessness at American Institutes for Research, said in a statement. “Living in shelters, neighbors’ basements, cars, campgrounds, and worse – homeless children are the most invisible and neglected individuals in our society. Without decisive action now, the federal goal of ending child homelessness by 2020 will soon be out of reach.”
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s annual count of homeless children in public schools was used. The report said that progress has been made in reducing homelessness among veterans and chronically homeless individuals due to government efforts, but no special attention has been directed toward homeless children.
Rhode Island ranked third best in the categories of extent of child homelessness and state policy and planning, but was 29th for risk of child homelessness and 45th for child well-being.
The report said 1,849 Rhode Island children were homeless in 2012-2013, and that 19 percent of children were living in poverty. It also said that 4.5 percent of children were without health insurance, and that the state minimum wage is $7.75 an hour, but wages of at least $18.18 an hour are needed for at least a two-bedroom apartment.
In comparison, Massachusetts ranked third best in the nation considering the four factors. All other New England states ranked higher than Rhode Island: Vermont (6), New Hampshire (7), Maine (10) and Connecticut (12). The top state was Minnesota. The worst, Alabama.
The report said 2.5 million nationally are homeless each year in America. It said the major causes of child homelessness include the nation’s high poverty rate, lack of affordable housing, racial disparities, challenges of single parenting, continuing impacts of the Great Recession and ways in which traumatic experience, such as domestic violence, “precede and prolong homelessness for families.”

View the report HERE.

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