1. Homelessness in America What are some stereotypes and misconceptions of homeless people in America?  Homeless people are all drug addicts and alcoholics  Homeless people are all mentally ill  If a teen is homeless because of getting kicked out of their house, he or she probably deserved it  Homeless people are too lazy to work  Homeless people are just looking for freedom and a life of leisure and no responsibilities  Homeless people are all criminals

2. Homelessness in America According to the University of Michigan's National Poverty Center the poverty level for a single individual is $11,344 per year. That's $944.50 per month or $31.08 per day For a family of four (two adults, two children) the poverty level is $22,113 per year. That’s $1842.75 per month or $60.50 per day

3. Homelessness in America Nationally, monthly housing cost varied from a high of $1,198 in the District of Columbia to a low of $583 in Kentucky. (This makes the average $890.50.) Based on info from the USDA, the monthly food cost for an adult is between $150-$300. $1,842.75 -890.50 -500,00 =$452.25

4. Homelessness in America In 2010, 46.2 million Americans (15.1 %) lived in poverty. That figure was up from 14.3 % in 2009 and was the fourth consecutive annual increase in the number of people living in poverty. The number of poor people in 2010 was the largest number in the 52 years the statistic has been kept. Most disturbing, the poverty rate for children under 18 increased from 20% in 2009 to 21.6 % in 2010. That translates to 1.1 million more children living in poverty.

5. Homelessness in America About 20.5 million Americans, or 6.7 % of the U.S. population, make up the poorest poor, defined as those at 50 % or less of the official poverty level. Those living in deep poverty represent nearly half of the 46.2 million people scraping by below the poverty line. In 2010, the poorest poor meant an income of $5,570 or less for an individual and $11,157 for a family of four. That 6.7 % share is the highest in the 35 years that the Census Bureau has maintained such records, surpassing previous highs in 2009 and 1993 of just over 6 percent.

6. Homelessness in America In August 2011, the number of people in the U.S. relying on food stamps hit 45.8 million—nearly 15% of the population. Food stamp rolls have risen 8.1% in the past year, the Department of Agriculture reports, though the pace of growth has slowed from the depths of the recession. In 2010, the American labor force was made up of approximately 154 million people. That means that for nearly every three workers, we have one person on food stamps.

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8. “Today, rescue missions are not just emergency shelters that also provide longer-term services for individuals, but more of an everyday solution for families,” according to John Ashmen, President of the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (AGRM). “Many people— 7 percent more than two years ago— come daily to the missions to eat meals and get hygiene products and clothing. And they often leave with a bag or box full of necessities for other family members.”

9. Homelessness in America In 2009 Haven of Rest provided the following: 275,487 meals 64,299 nights of lodging 232,085 pounds of clothing Holiday Meals: 685 meals were provided on Easter 738 meals were provided on Thanksgiving Day 737 meals were provided on Christmas Day

10. What Would You Do? If you had the chance to help someone less fortunate, would you? What if they were old, of a different ethnicity or religion, had a physical impairment or disfigurement, or a mental disability? Do you have the power to help one person? Do you possess even one item, skill, or word of encouragement from which someone else could benefit? CHALLENGE: Between now and December 20, help at least ONE person who is not someone you know well. This might be a neighbor, a person standing in line at the store, or it could be someone you even help anonymously.

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12. From a familiar old story… “Who is my neighbor?” “He who showed mercy…” “Go and do likewise.”

13. Sources Bentley, Chuck. “Who Qualifies for Charity?” Crown Financial Ministries. 7 November 2011. <http://blog.crown.org/2011/11/10/who-qualifies-for- charity/> “Faces of Homelessness.” National Coalition for the Homeless. (2011). “Poverty in America a National Disgrace.” Daily KOS. 21 November 2011. “Statistics and Studies on Homelessness.” Haven of Rest Ministries. 29 November 2010. (2011).