SUPPORTIVE HOUSING IMPROVES CHILDREN’S SAFETY AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, NEW RESEARCH SAYS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) January 18, 2012 -- SAINT PAUL, MN: Amidst growing trends of children experiencing homelessness, a study released today by the University of Minnesota reveals the impact of supportive housing on the well-being of children in homeless families.

According to the study, children in supportive housing experience fewer school transfers, decreases in maltreatment (abuse or neglect) reports, and far less out-of-home placements. Specific age groups in supportive housing also saw positive results in school attendance, standardized math results, and development of Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs).

The report comes at a time when more Minnesotan families are experiencing homelessness but face fewer options. Wilder Research Center’s one-day count in October 2009 found over 3,200 children experiencing homelessness in Minnesota—the highest level since the count began twenty years ago. As the number of homeless families climbs, shelter space to escape the cold is scarce. In Ramsey County alone, roughly 3,000 children and their parents were turned away after seeking shelter between January 2010 and August 2011.

Conducted by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare, the three-year study looked at the school outcomes and involvement in governmental child protection for 3rd to 6th graders enrolled in supportive housing through Hearth Connection. Hearth Connection’s permanent supportive housing model emphasizes intensive and flexible case management accompanied by rental assistance in order to foster stability for individuals and families facing chronic homelessness. Data was compared with results from children identified as homeless who received other housing supports, or none at all.

The University of Minnesota’s report recommended further study and investment in supportive housing to promote children’s achievement and well-being.

The full report, “The Role of Supportive Housing in Homeless Children’s Well-Being: An Investigation of Child Welfare and Educational Outcomes”, is available at http://www.cehd.umn.edu/ssw/cascw/attributes/PDF/minnlink/Report_No11.pdf. Research was made possible with financial support from the Robins, Kaplan, Miller and Ciresi Foundation for Children and the Family Housing Fund.

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