Show 54: Homeless Youth in Alaska

ALASKA RANKS TENTH in the United States for rates of homelessness, and among the high concentration of those without a permanent place to sleep each night - half are under 12 years old. What's being done to help families with children who are homeless, and also teens who are on their own?

IN-STUDIO GUESTS: Joining host Shana Sheehy in the studio are David Mayo-Kiely, director of the Anchorage School District's Children in Transition/Homeless program and Lauren Rice from Covenant House Alaska to discuss the young and homeless population in our state

DID YOU KNOW? 

Based on the January 2009 single-night count, Alaska’s homeless number 4,583 persons. (The total state population in July 2008 was estimated at 679,200.) This figure includes individuals who meet HUD’s definition of homeless, as well persons temporarily housed in a motel or with family/friends:

• 93% (4,256 persons) were “sheltered,” which includes living in emergency shelters, transitional shelters, with extended family and/or friends, or temporarily in motels.
• 7% (327 persons) were “unsheltered,” which includes living in a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings, or on the street.
• Among the sheltered, 57.5% were households with children.
• Among the unsheltered, 23.5% were households with children.

Source: A Look at Homelessness in Alaska (UAA Justice Center)

FEATURED STORIES: 

- More girls, more Alaska Native teens coming to Covenant House according to a report from UAA's Institute for Social and Economic Research

- Teens raise their consciousness about homelessness by attending a Solidarity Sleep Out

- KTD visits a family shelter in the Mat-Su where we meet those who are helping, and those who need help