Some Stats ~

The ‘chronic’ homeless, those that come to mind with drug issues or mental illness are really only about 20% of those on the streets. Many people on the street nowadays are educated and sober, having faced a crisis in their lives that caused them to lose their homes. Some of them simply have jobs that don’t quite cover the cost of living in their area.  Huff Post

The Anchorage School District Child in Transition/Homeless Program
About the CIT/H program
‌‌CIT/H is an integral part of the Anchorage School District’s Title I Program which provides services throughout the district to homeless children and youth. Our goal is to promote school stability and success for homeless students. The McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Improvements Act, which was reauthorized as part of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, guides our decisions in determining eligibility and the services we provide.

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CIT/H in the Anchorage community
‌Since the 2008-09 school year CIT/H has annually identified more than 2,000 ASD students that were homeless. The number of students increased steadily though the 2011-12 school year followed by a decrease in 2012-13. Since 2012-13 the number of identified homeless students has remained relatively stable.

In addition to ASD staff, CIT/H collaborates with community agencies to provide services to our families. We provide referrals to Alaska Housing Finance Corportation, NeighborWorks Anchorage and Cook Inlet Housing Authority for housing assistance. Catholic Social Services, Covenant House Alaska and The Salvation Army receive referrals from CIT/H and frequently refers families to us.

Rights of homeless students
• Stay in their school-of-origin; which is the school attended when last permanently housed or the school in which the student was last enrolled

• Enroll in any school which non homeless students living in the attendance area are eligible to attend
• Enroll in a new school without immunization, proof of residential status, school records, proof of guardianship or other documents
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• Receive transportation services to their school of origin, to the extent feasible
• Receive services (including transportation, preschool, meals, special education) comparable to those provided to other students
• Have their enrollment disputes expeditiously addressed by the homeless district liaison and have the right to attend their school during the dispute resolution process

Goals

• Increase enrollment, attendance, and educational success by providing students with basic material necessities
• Increase homeless students’ educational success through academic and enrichment support opportunities
• Strengthen family, school and community partnerships

 

Pencils, Books, and No Home: Alaska’s Homeless Students Number In the Thousands
Alaska schools had over 3,900 homeless students enrolled during 2012-2013 school year, ranging from preschool to grade 12, according to the State Department of Education and Early Development. This is how the numbers break down by age group:

*Include Mat-Su, total is 258.
**“Mat-Su has by far had the largest growth in homelssness,” said Streeter.  Alaska Commons

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Study: More Homeless Children Now Than Any Point In US History
The annual levels of homelessness among children have never been higher in the United States, according to a new comprehensive report released on Monday.  Prepared by the National Center on Family Homelessness, the report—America’s Youngest Outcasts (pdf)—shows that with poverty and inequality soaring in recent years, approximately 2.5 million children in 2013 found themselves without a roof over their head or place to call home.  MintPRess

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2013 The State of Homelessness Report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness 

The State of Homelessness in America 2013 examines trends in homelessness between 2011 and 2012 as well as the economic, housing, and demographic context in which homelessness changes over time.

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The percentage of homeless students in Anchorage has risen steadily from 2.1 percent in the school year 2004-2005 to 4.7 percent in 2012-2013. This translates to a total of 2,270 homeless students in 2012-2013.

                    Homeless Students in ASD More than
Double in Past Decade

Year	# Homeless Students	Change from Previous Year	Total Student Population	Percent of Students Homeless
2004/05	1,052		49,454	2.10%
2005/06	1,767	68.0%*	49,589	3.60%
2006/07	1,637	-7.30%	49,068	3.30%
2007/08	1,752	7.00%	48,457	3.60%
2008/09	2,010	14.70%	48,440	4.10%
2009/10	2,331	16.00%	49,380	4.70%
2010/11	2,431	4.30%	48,960	5.00%
2011/12	2,693	10.80%	48,828	5.50%
2012/13*	2,270	-15.70%	48,734	4.70%

*Child in Transition/Homeless Project, Anchorage School District

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Key findings from the 2009 report by the University of Alaska Anchorage Justice Forum – “A Look at Homelessness in Alaska”

In 2008, Alaska ranked tenth among the 50 states in concentration of homeless people, with 0.24 percent of the total state estimated to be homeless.  Single-night homeless counts from 2007, 2008, and 2009, both statewide and in Anchorage, show a definite rise in the overall number of homeless. (See Figure 1.)

                                       60% Increase in Homelessness in 3 Years

* A Look at Homelessness in Alaska

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 Who are the homeless in Alaska?

Based on the January 2009 single-night count, Alaska’s homeless number 4,583 persons. (The total state population in July 2008 was estimated at 679,200.) This figure includes individuals who meet HUD’s definition of homeless, as well persons temporarily housed in a motel or with family/friends:

• 93% (4,256 persons) were “sheltered,” which includes living in emergency shelters, transitional shelters, with extended family and/or friends, or temporarily in motels.
• 7% (327 persons) were “unsheltered,” which includes living in a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the street.
• Among the sheltered, 57.5% were households with children.
• Among the unsheltered, 23.5% were households with children.

This 2009 count (including sheltered and unsheltered persons) showed the following figures for homeless subpopulations (Table 2):

• Almost 9% are chronically homeless.
• Nearly 14% have chronic substance abuse issues.
• Over 7% are victims of domestic violence.
• About 6% are veterans.
• Approximately 11% are severely mentally ill.
• Nearly 3% are unaccompanied youth under the age of 18.
• Less than 1% have HIV/AIDS.

* A Look at Homelessness in Alaska

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For More Information on Homelessness in Alaska ~