Caring Causes: Poverty and Homelessness Virtual Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic and economic downturn in the United States has put at risk the housing of millions of low-income renters and those experiencing homelessness. This critical situation will cause more men, women and children to live on the streets, under bridges, in tents, shelters, cars or motels throughout the country. New research findings indicate that the COVID-19 housing crisis will result in widespread evictions and an increase in homelessness if there is not federal assistance.

The report titled "The COVID-19 Eviction Crisis: An Estimated 30-40 Million People in America are at Risk" was developed by researchers from the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program, City Life/Vida Urbana, the COVID-19 Eviction Defense Project, The Eviction Lab at Princeton University, the Innovation for Justice Program at the University of Arizona College of Law, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Stout and Wake Forest University School of Law.

Rajni Shankar-Brown, PhD, professor and Jessie Ball duPont endowed chair of social justice education at Stetson University, is the founder and executive director of the Poverty and Homelessness Conference (PHC). This year's virtual conference is occurring on Saturday, July 10, 9 a.m.-noon EST. The theme is "Educating for Equity and Justice: Removing Barriers and Building Opportunities." The event is a collaborative partnership with Stetson University, Volusia County Schools and Volusia United Educators. Space is limited. Registration is required. Admission is $10 for educators and $15 for community members. 

Shankar-Brown also is an executive board member of the National Coalition for the Homeless. She has dedicated her life and research to homelessness, poverty and social justice education, and is assisting with leading national homeless policies and programs. She also leads mentoring programs for children and youth who are homeless and living in poverty.

I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Shankar-Brown to learn more.

 

1) Even though more states are moving toward opening up restrictions, how is the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to impact housing situations?

Individuals and families experiencing homelessness, including millions of children and youth, are continuing to grow across the landscape of the United States and globally. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exasperate issues. Many in homeless situations have still not received the vaccine and remain vulnerable to COVID-19. Additionally, new variants of the virus are emerging and seem to spread more easily and quickly, which as the CDC points out may lead to an even greater number of COVID-19 cases. Further, because many people experiencing homelessness often have underlying medical conditions, they are even more vulnerable and at increased risk. Housing is a human right, and unfortunately millions of individuals and families, with disproportionate percentages of children and youth, are without safe shelter. It is deeply distressing and merits our immediate attention. Our National Coalition for the Homeless just launched a national campaign, Bring America Home NOW! A Comprehensive Grassroots Campaign to End Homelessness in the U.S. 

 

2) Why is it important to support programs for children and youth who are homeless and living in poverty?

Investing in programs that provide children and youth extra resources and vital support can make a huge and lasting difference in their life and life trajectory. Children experiencing homelessness are more likely to experience physical, cognitive, and social-emotional issues and often have less access to essential resources. Additionally, mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, are much higher for children experiencing homelessness due to the trauma and violence of extreme poverty. Programs, such as the mentoring and arts programs I facilitate, offer children safe, supportive, inclusive, and affirming spaces to grow and thrive. All children deserve equal opportunities and access to recognize and reach their potential. We must disrupt injustice, advance equity, and actively invest in our children and youth.

 

3) What do teachers need to consider in terms of how homelessness and poverty may affect their students?

School administrators and teachers need to be aware of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, which is a federal law that protects the educational rights of students experiencing homelessness. It defines “homeless children and youth” as any student who lacks a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” and this definition includes students who are living in doubled-up situations, or in tents, cars, or motels due to a lack of safe, adequate shelter.  Educators must also acknowledge the diversity and depth of homelessness experienced by students and promote person-first language, as our language also shapes ideologies and attitudes. Emphasizing our shared humanity, practicing empathy, and cultivating love and an ethic of care are imperative. Homelessness, poverty, and food insecurity have numerous effects on students, and teachers must develop an understanding of how poverty impacts children and youth, and how we can help to mitigate these issues in schools and classrooms. This is one of the reasons I developed the Poverty and Homelessness Conference. Everyone is welcome to attend the 2021 Virtual Poverty and Homelessness Conference, and donations are also welcome as this is a grassroots initiative.

With millions of children and youth experiencing homelessness, and potentially millions more due to looming evictions, communities and schools must ensure students’ basic physiological needs are met, and educators must support students experiencing homelessness through trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches. In addition, communities must support schools and educators in this critical work. Educators must also be provided support including resources to address and prevent compassion fatigue, secondary trauma, and burnout, which are all too real. It is unacceptable that we are one of the wealthiest nations in the world and yet, we have millions of children without basic human rights including shelter and access to food. “We the people” must invest in our children and youth, and we must work together to build a better world for all.

Rajni Shankar-Brown, Ph.D., is an internationally renowned scholar, educator, artist, and human rights activist. She is a Professor and the Jessie Ball duPont Endowed Chair of Social Justice Education at Stetson University, and the Vice-President of the National Coalition for the Homeless. Dr. Shankar-Brown actively works to build inclusive learning spaces, and advance human rights and educational excellence for diverse communities. She has presented and facilitated professional learning workshops around the globe, as well as published in leading peer-reviewed journals and books. All of the proceeds of her book Tuluminous (collection of poetry) are supporting projects to address youth homelessness and amplify the arts. You can positively support her efforts by purchasing a signed copy of the book here. Tuluminous (2020) has been praised as “a marvelous and meaningful testimony of the power of language to heal and transform” by the Presidential Inaugural Poet, Richard Blanco, and she is described as the “Poet Laureate of the just society” by NYU’s Moral Courage Project Founder and Oprah’s Chutzpah award winner, Irshad Manji. 

Learn more about the cost of evictions