Welcome to Family Promise - Salt Lake
(formerly Salt Lake Interfaith Hospitality Network)
The New Face of Homelessness: Young Children – Young Families
Families with children constitute the fastest growing segment of the homeless population accounting for approximately 50% of all homelessness. Every year, 600,000 families with 1.35 million children experience homelessness.
(National Alliance to End Homelessness, Policy Guide, July 2007)
The Utah Office of Education reports that in the school year 2006-2007 just under 10,000 school aged children experienced homelessness. And this number doesn't include children who are not yet enrolled in school! Using the Department of Education's definition of "homeless" which includes those living out of motels or doubled up in inadequate housing (i.e. couch surfing), we can estimate that families constitute approximately 60% of all homelessness in Utah!
What's Causing This Trend?
The main cause cited for this alarming rise in family homelessness is the increasing disparity between wages and the cost of housing. Low-income renters or even homeowners, are often one paycheck, or calamity, away from homelessness.
The loss of a job, an increase in rent, a sudden illness, or the absence of family support can each turn children and their parents out on the street. From there, families may be divided because some programs serve only single men, or mothers with young children; at a family's darkest hour, they are often forced to separate in order to secure emergency shelter. Imagine the fear and humiliation felt by both parents and children.
The Family Promise - Salt Lake mission is to help homeless families achieve lasting self-sufficiency.
Family Promise - Salt Lake is an affiliate of Family Promise.