PEC News / Events
For Immediate Release
Number of homeless children in Philadelphia under age 4 increases significantly
High-lead level for homeless children is twice the rate of all children
According to a new report the number of homeless children under the age of 17 in Philadelphia grew from 3,433 in 2008 to 3,582 in 2009 -- a four percent increase.
The report also noted that there was a marked increase -- 12% -- in the number of very young children (age four and under) who were homeless in Philadelphia between 2008 and 2009 (from 1,493 to 1,668 children). In total, 46% of the approximately 5,000 children served in emergency and transitional housing in 2009 were under the age of five.
In addition, 6.9 percent of homeless children had high-lead levels. This is more than twice the rate of high lead levels of all children tested in Philadelphia.
The primary reason for the increase in homeless young people is that mothers between the ages of 18 to 24 saw the single highest rate of increase in homelessness, 13.9 percent. This age group is also the largest group of all homeless mothers.
According to the report, Philadelphia Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: Practical Strategies for Action, the vast majority of families who entered emergency housing in FY2009 had been asked to leave their prior residence. Some had been “evicted” by family or friends, while others had been evicted from their own housing because of late or missed rental or mortgage payments. On average, children who experience homelessness reside in emergency housing for 143 days, while those who reside in transitional housing stay for 330 days.
The local report was developed by the Children’s Work Group, a collaboration of public and private agencies serving children in Philadelphia. The report was printed and distributed with the support of the Samuel S. Fels Fund, The Philadelphia Foundation, the City of Philadelphia, and the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Joe Willard, vice president of policy at People’s Emergency Center (PEC), which provides homeless families in West Philadelphia with housing and comprehensive social services, notes that there were some positive findings in the report. “When they arrive at a homeless shelter 74 percent of children were up-to-date in immunizations. When they leave, 84 percent of children are up to date. Most have also been screened for lead poisoning. In addition, mothers and children who don’t have physicians regularly receive care onsite as well as referrals for health care. This shows that good work is being done by many homeless providers in Philadelphia.”
Willard notes however that the information was taken from children who made it to shelters. “Obviously, women and children who are on their own are less likely to get the help they need. This remains an area of major concern.”
ABOUT PEC: Founded in 1972, PEC provides housing and comprehensive social services to homeless women and their children, revitalizes its West Philadelphia neighborhood, and advocate for public policies that strengthen families and communities. For more information, visit www.pec-cares.org.
ABOUT THE CHILDREN’S WORK GROUP: The Children’s Work Group is a public-private initiative to collect and share information and improve collaboration among agencies serving homeless children. Its members are: People’s Emergency Center; Dreuding Center/Project Rainbow; City of Philadelphia Office of Supportive Housing; Overington House; Episcopal Community Services; Philadelphia Department of Behavioral Health; Friends Rehabilitation Program; Women Against Abuse; Public Health Management Corporation; Salvation Army-Red Shield House; Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia; Asociación de Puertorriqueños en Marcha; Education Law Center; North West Interfaith Hospitality Network; Lutheran Settlement – Jane Addams Place; Temple Social Work Department, Philadelphia School District Office of Academic Support Homeless Children’s Initiative and Nutritional Development Service –Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
For more information, contact Joe Willard, People’s Emergency Center, at 215.840.5104 or download the report from http://www.pec-cares.org/publications.html
