Step up for our homeless children

One million.

That's a conservative estimate of the number of homeless school-age children in the U.S. last year - a record high. In Idaho, that number was 6,076 in 2012, according to new data by the U. S. Department of Education. That may seem like a small fraction of the whole, but what's most concerning is that those numbers are growing, and growing faster in Idaho than most other states.

Yes, we made another top 10 list, but this isn't one to be proud of.

Experts believe the number is actually higher than the 1.1 million in the USDOE report; irregular attendance and changing addresses make homeless kids difficult to track. Also some kids and families fudge the paperwork, worried that authorities may break up the family by removing kids to state care.

The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth credits two factors as likely causes of the spike: an increasing shortage of affordable rental housing coupled with an increase in severe poverty, influenced no doubt by long-term fallout from the recession. Losing a home takes time, and low-cost rentals seem harder and harder to come by, even for those with jobs.

Yes, the face of homelessness includes working adults.

Idaho ranks eighth among the 10 worst states for homeless children. We saw a 27 percent increase in homeless students between the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 school years. Things could certainly be worse; the worst state's increase was seven times higher:

10. Oklahoma (22 percent increase)

9. Missouri (23 percent)

8. Idaho (27 percent)

7. Vermont (31 percent)

6. South Dakota (35 percent)

5. Wyoming (40 percent)

4. Michigan (42 percent)

3. North Carolina (53 percent)

2. Maine (58 percent)

1. North Dakota (212 percent)

Other than applying for and supporting federal, state, and local public assistance efforts, and encouraging economic development (look for our January issue of the North Idaho Business Journal for an economic update), what can one do? Call St. Vincent de Paul (208) 664-3095 to ask how you can help - with sleeping bags, time, and money donations. They're always needed, but winter is especially harsh and their capital campaign could use a boost to meet increasing demand.

No child should be cold for Christmas.

Sholeh Patrick is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network, grateful for a warm home. Contact her at [email protected].