Agenda - Council - 10/26/2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

HeadingHome ANOKA A regional initiative to end homelessness Costs of Homelessness • People experiencing homelessness are more likely to access more costly health care services: o Homeless people spend an average of four days longer per hospital visit than comparable non - homeless people. This adds about $2,414 per hospitalization. o Homelessness both causes and results from serious health care issues, including addiction, psychological disorders, HIV\AIDS, and other ailments that require long -term consistent care. Homelessness inhibits this care as housing instability detracts from regular medical attention, access to treatment, and recuperation. The inability to treat medical problems can aggravate the problems, making them more dangerous and more costly. o Since many homeless persons do not have health coverage, they are more likely to seek aid in emergency rooms and urgent care facilities, which is typically more expensive than regular clinic visitations. • Children experiencing homelessness are likely to suffer ongoing consequences: o Children who grow up in homeless families are more likely to become homeless later in life. Almost one -half of homeless adults experienced homelessness before they were 21, and one - quarter before they were 18. o Most homeless children suffer specific physical, psychological and emotional damage due to the circumstances that accompany homelessness. o Homelessness interferes with children's development with most preschoolers experiencing major developmental delays, such as delayed speech and other learning disabilities. o Frequent moves make it difficult for children to keep up in school. Almost half of the homeless children attend two different schools in one year. o Per the Minnesota Department of Education, test scores over time during the 2008 -09 school year, 70% of homeless children in 8 grade performed below grade level in reading and 83% performed below grade level in math (vs. 33% and 42% respectively for all students). o Seven school districts \charter schools in Anoka County expended over $360,000 during the 2008 -09 school year for transportation services for homeless children in shelters, doubled -up living situations, hotels, or unsheltered locations.