Homelessness Prevention
In the metro Boston area, the cost of living—due in large part to the cost of housing—is higher than any other metropolitan area in the nation1.
Supporting statistics
- About 80% of the homeless in Massachusetts are families.
- 20,000 children are homeless annually in Massachusetts , with the average age being 8.
- More than 1 in 5 homeless parents are working while living in a shelter, interfering with their ability to find stable employment and thus limiting earning potential.
- 41% of homeless children will attend 2 different schools in one year, while 28% will attend 3 or more.
New Approach to Homeless Prevention
The social, emotional and educational harm to children caused by homelessness is severe, often irreparable and expensive to remediate. The federal government’s response (as well as private philanthropy and volunteer responses) to homelessness has been an expensive service system focused more on emergency service and long-term residential shelters than on homeless prevention and rapid re-housing. There have been limited attempts to coordinate the flow of resources, and limited dialogue between state governments and the philanthropic community to preventing and ending homelessness. Until now.
Individuals and families are more responsive to interventions and support once they are in permanent housing. In 1988, a concept was developed in Los Angeles that took this into account and focused on moving individuals and families into housing as soon as possible. Shelter stays are minimized and home-based case management is provided after permanent housing is acquired.
Advocating for the widespread adoption of the Housing First strategy, United Way of Massachusetts Bay (UWMB) is represented on the Massachusetts Policy Academy to End Family Homelessness. UWMB is currently aiming to form a bridge where there once was none between community development corporations (those providing affordable housing) and the shelter system, and to prepare partner agencies focusing on sustainable employment and affordable housing for the transition.
Benefits? The cost benefits. The social and emotional benefits. Stability. There is a 20% reduction in depression when a parent is able to be in stable housing while receiving services versus being in a shelter and receiving services. Plus, children no longer have to jump from school to school within an academic year, enabling them to develop stable relationships with peers and adults and to focus on their academics.