A HOMELESSNESS FACT SHEET FOR
KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 2

Most people in the United States have a home. Most people in the United States also have clothes, food, and a bed of their own. But, some people do not have a home. These people are called “homeless.”

A “homeless” person has no safe place to sleep. Homeless people may live in shelters, at a friend’s house, or many places not meant for human living, like the street, in an old building, or in a car.

Throughout the United States, about 750,000 people do not have a place to live. Some people do not have a home for a short amount of time, but for some people it takes a long time to find a home. Anybody can be homeless. It does not matter what color your skin is, what religion you are, if you are a boy or a girl, or if you live in a city or in the country. Homeless people have moms, dads, sisters, brothers, and friends—just like you.

People are homeless because they do not make enough money to pay for a place to live and food, medicine, and clothing. There are people who work every day of the week and still do not have money for a home.

About half the people who are homeless each year are adults. Sometimes they cannot work or take care of themselves because they have been hurt or were born with a disability. Since they cannot work, they do not have enough money for a home. Many of these people are homeless for a long time, even for their whole lives.

The other half of the people who are homeless each year are families, many with children your age and younger. These children probably have friends and go to school. They, however, do not have a house. They cannot invite their friends over for a sleepover or to play on the weekend. They do not have a phone to talk on with their friends. Also, they often have to switch schools because they move from place to place.

Ending Homelessness is Possible
Cities and states in the United States are starting to end homelessness. They are making plans and starting to move homeless people into homes. There are three ways that cities and states are starting to end homelessness:

1. Building homes that do not cost a lot of money.
2. Paying people enough money so they can pay their rent, buy food, and pay bills.
3. Giving people the information and help they need to keep a home.
   
   

The ABC’s of Homelessness

A is for Arlington.   On January 27, 2010, there were 531 people in Arlington County who were literally homeless. This included 184 people in families and 347 single adults.

B is forBreakfast. Many people without a home begin their day without breakfast.

C is for Child. One out of every four people without a home is a child.

D is for Disaster. Natural disasters such as hurricanes or tornados often leave people homeless. 

E is for Employed.  Many people without homes are employed – they have jobs. 

F is for Family.  Every year 600,000 families experience homelessness in the U.S. (National Alliance to End Homelessness website)

G is for Give. You are giving of your time and effort today to help fight homelessness.

H is for Home.  Everyone needs a home.

I is for Idea.  Your school believes it’s a good idea to join the fight to help the homeless.

J is for Job. Many people lose their homes when they lose their jobs.

K is for Kind.  Helping people in need is a kind thing to do.

L is for Long.  A cold night without a place to sleep is a long night.

M is for Money.  Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs provides people with emergency money to pay their rent and power bills.

N is for Nine.  The average age of a homeless person in Washington, DC is nine-years old.

O is for Outdoors.  Sleeping outdoors every night is not fun.

P is for Park.  Some people without a home sleep in a park.

Q is for Quick.  Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs quickly help people, usually within one day.

R is for Rent.  The average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Arlington is $1,874.00 per month.

S is for Sick.  Homeless children get sick more often than children who live in homes.

T is for Time.   In a short time, a family can go from a nice home to having almost nothing.

U is for Unhealthy.  Many people without a home are unhealthy.

V is for Volunteer. Volunteers help Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs to help others.

W is for Wealthy.  Some people in Arlington are wealthy and some are not.

X is for X-ray.  Many people can’t afford to get medicines or medical care, like checkups and X-rays. Arlingtonians Meeting Emergency Needs can help.

Y is for Young. Young people are helping to prevent and fight homelessness – by walking today!

Z is for Zero.  Is it possible that one day the number of people without a home will be zero?

 “The mission of AMEN is to provide emergency financial assistance to Arlington residents who are in crisis and unable to pay their bills.”