TALE OF TWO CITIES AND HOMELESSNESS BY: KIMBERLY HINKSTON

STATISTICAL DATA ABOUT THE PREVALENCE OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS Over 2000 youth need to find a safe place to sleep on any given night in Chicago. Chicago public schools identified 2,512 unaccompanied youth attending their schools in ( Chicago Approximately 1.7 million young people call the streets home every year. Nearly 20,000 homeless people 24 years old and younger live in New York City. Children under 18 accounted for 39% of the homeless population. Of that number, approximately 42% were younger than age New York

STATISTICAL DATA REGARDING POPULATIONS OF HOMELESS, INCLUDING YOUTH Chicago Among adults experiencing homelessness, one-third are victims of domestic violence. The hotline also recorded an increase in youths who call saying they're homeless over the past decade — from 758 a decade ago to 1,956 in A slight increase in young people who call saying they're already using shelters over the past year, from 655 to 730, was also recorded. ( ) New York Approximately 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBT. Every year, approximately 5,000 homeless young people will die because of assault, illness, or suicide while trying to survive.

TYPES/LEVELS OF SUPPORTS AVAILABLE: CHICAGO Lived Experience Commission The Lived Experience Commission (LEC) is one of All Chicago’s greatest strengths. Comprised of advocates who have been consumers of homeless services in Chicago, we ensure that their voices are heard and input sought in decisions that affect homeless services in Chicago. The LEC also nominates consumers to serve on our Board of Directors. Our Donors Our work wouldn’t be possible without the support of hundreds of individuals, foundations, and corporations committed to addressing the issue of homelessness in Chicago. We carry out our mission hand-in-hand with our contributors and greatly appreciate their donations, time, and advice. Chicago Continuum of Care (CoC) The CoC is a community-driven collaborative of service providers, government agencies, funders, advocates, and people who are homeless or formerly homeless, all committed to addressing homelessness in Chicago. The Chicago CoC is a cohesive and highly-functioning body of partners touted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as one of the best modeled CoCs in the country.

TYPES/LEVELS OF SUPPORTS AVAILABLE: CHICAGO Emergency Fund Partners The Emergency Fund works with a growing network of 30+ civic and human services agencies in Chicago to make our services accessible throughout the city. These agencies provide a range of services – child care, job training, food pantries, housing – in the communities they serve, and distribute our financial assistance to help people during difficult times. Service Providers Commission The Service Providers Commission (SPC) is a coalition of approximately 80 organizations providing homeless services and advocacy in Chicago. The SPC is actively involved in developing and implementing strategies, and offers a unified voice in fulfilling the community’s vision of a home for everyone. The SPC also nominates service providers to serve on our Board of Directors. Government Agencies Public partnerships are critical to the success of any large movement around a particular cause or issue. We are proud to work with so many government entities that recognize and value the collective expertise and tenacity of private sector organizations.

TYPES/LEVELS OF SUPPORTS AVAILABLE: NEW YORK Crisis Care Many of the homeless youth who come through our doors are coming from stressful situations and require immediate attention. Crisis Care is a program designed to quickly address these needs including, medical care, hot showers, clean clothes, nourishing meals and a safe bed. First we heal the body, and then we heal the person. Rights of Passage A majority of homeless youth do not know how to live independently – like finding a job, saving money, paying bills, cooking healthy meals, even doing the dishes. Rights of Passage is a transitional living programs that gives homeless youth a chance to learn how to live on their own successfully. Our Homeless Programs Are a Continuum of Care Homeless youth at Covenant House need more than charity and a place to stay. Many are survivors of domestic abuse, others have alcohol and substance abuse problems, and many still need to complete their education and develop job skills. Our programs address these needs – creating a continuum of care and tools for homeless youth to become self-sufficient.

THE POLICIES SUPPORTING HOMELESSNESS IN EACH STATE Chicago’s Plan 2.0 The city of Chicago is taking a proactive approach to ending homelessness with a progressive plan outlining seven strategic priorities that will guide our community’s collaborative efforts through See more at: Chicago Care for the Homeless supports improved and expanded health care, human services, supportive housing and affordable housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in New York City, and elsewhere, as part of our mission to ameliorate, prevent and end homelessness New York

LEARNED INFORMATION Racial breakdown of homeless people in Chicago According to a 2015 point-in-time count by the city of Chicago, the racial demographic of the homeless population living in city shelters was 76% African American, 11% white, 10% Latino, and 3% other ethnicities. Racial demographics are no longer included by cities in the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ survey. Chicago Public Schools reports that 98% of its homeless students are children of color. - See more at: studies/#sthash.A6K7wPqY.dpuf

REFERENCES All Chicago Number of homeless youths on the rise, suggests shelter, hotline data (Hirst, 2013) Covenant House Safe Horizon (2014) homeless youth facts page