WASHINGTON STATE

Washington State House Democrats

HOUSE DEMOCRATS

Homeless and trying to learn

Homeless students have countless barriers to success: How will I do my homework in a tent? How can I clean my clothes when I live in a car? Are we going to have dinner tonight? These worries are difficult enough for adults to deal with, but for children they are traumatic. The stress of homelessness can make it impossible for students to focus and thrive in school.

As we reported yesterday, the number of homeless students in Washington state is at a record high – 30,000.

For the most recent nationwide data available (2011-12 school year), Washington ranks in the middle of the pack when it comes to an increase in student homelessness.

But our number has been increasing steadily for the past six years. Why? Factors like home foreclosures, domestic violence, more families in poverty, rising rent prices and job losses have all contributed.

Here in Washington, cuts to Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) over the last few years are largely to blame for the increased the number of homeless children. TANF is a program that gives very poor families temporary assistance to help pay for things like rent and transportation. In order qualify for TANF a family of three must make less than $955/month. But due to the recession, the legislature had to cut this small benefit by 15 percent. This cut forced families in already shaky situations out of their homes and onto the streets.

The House is taking steps to reverse this trend. The House budget will help some families increase this benefit again if parents have greater workplace participation. It also sets up a special pilot program to help homeless families get back on their feet. In addition, the House passed HB 2368, continuing an existing fee for recording documents at county auditor’s offices. The money from the fee goes directly to housing vouchers and rental assistance for the homeless.

So far, the Senate has not acted on this bill and, without it, thousands more of Washington’s students may end up homeless — making the problem that much worse.  No child should be without a home.