Housing Instability Hurts Kids

categories: Children, Education, Government, Health & Healthcare, Housing

Published November 06, 2009 @ 05:07AM PT

baby tears I'm tired of being subtle. In this world of attention-grabbing headlines and screaming issues, little kids are being trampled as crowds of media rush to cover "issues" which often have the importance of a mosquito bite, or um, a silver balloon. Left to fend for themselves are millions of little kids and their families in this country, mired in deep poverty, teetering on or swallowed up by homelessness.

So I made this 4-minute video, "Life is But a Dream," to remind viewers of the cost as we continue to abandon the wee ones in this country. Would be great if you view it and share it.

A new report issued by the Institute of Children in Poverty provides strong data to support my premise that little kids suffer by our national neglect. Among the findings...

Existing research provides a link between housing instability and a range of child and adolescent challenges, from lower school achievement to poorer social and emotional adjustment.

play house The detrimental effects of housing instability on children, far from rocket science, have long been documented. In fact, in MA, where the governor just slashed social services to balance the budget, Bay State researchers released a report 4 years ago that pointed to the (obvious) effects of high mobility and the benefits of housing vouchers to stabilize income-challenged families.

The St. Louis Examiner just ran a story about homeless children affected by trauma.

Two central reasons are lack of affordable housing and poverty, but domestic violence and decrease in government support are also critical factors according to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. With unemployment increasing, the number of people that will lose their homes is also going to increase.

Seems to me we need to decide: are we a compassionate nation or one that doesn't give a rat's a%* about children if they are poor? If you do care, do something. Since the attention of this country's media and Congress is wrapped up in the health care debacle, the best I can suggest is donate diapers to the local food pantry or shelter. At least some families will be able to deal with the *@*$ being produced.

baby tears photo (c) Pat Van Doren

playhouse photo and video by the author

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Author

Diane Nilan, founder and president of HEAR US Inc., has over 23 years experience working impoverished and homeless families. Since 2005, Nilan’s cross-country journey to non-urban communities has focused on poverty and homelessness, particularly as it affects invisible families and teens. She filmed the award-winning series of documentaries, My Own Four Walls, children and youth sharing how homelessness affects their lives and their education. Her reader-friendly book, “Crossing the Line: Taking Steps to End Homelessness,” gives unique insights into homelessness. Her latest production, “REACH” empowers incarcerated parents to advocate for their homeless children’s educational rights.