Lawmakers highlight need to address youth homelessness
Legislation would help estimated record 45,000+ homeless youth in PA
Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El November 13, 2024 | 4:37 PM
HARRISBURG, Nov. 13 – A growing number of Pennsylvania children and youth are experiencing homelessness, with studies from the 2022-23 school year estimating more than 45,000 children lived on the street, doubled up with friends and relatives, or found temporary relief at shelters, hotels and motels. The figure is an increase and a record for the state, up from more than 40,000 children and youth estimated to have experienced homelessness in the 2021-22 school year.
“We know families that experience financial hardships will do whatever they can to survive, living with relatives by couch surfing or spending nights in a car to stay together at all costs,” said state Rep. Gina H. Curry, who represents portions of Delaware County. “Homeless youth oftentimes go undetected, with parents unwilling to reveal their financial struggles out of the fear protective services will break up their family. That’s why we suspect this problem is even greater than the reported numbers, and it’s one of the driving forces in passing legislation to address this growing population.”
Lawmakers and advocates, including those who experienced the life-threatening danger of living without a home as a child, gathered in Harrisburg to highlight meaningful legislation.
“Politicians oftentimes use the phrase ‘most vulnerable’ to describe numerous groups of individuals, but in the case of children experiencing homelessness is literally a life-and-death struggle to survive,” said state Rep. Ismail Smith-Wade-El, who represents portions of Lancaster County. “We know LGBTQ+ children and youth are kicked out of their homes, while other children choose to live on the streets rather than experience continued abuse at home. We need to invest in a brighter future for these children, not just for their future but also for the future of our state.”
The House currently has several bills to help improve the lives of children and youth experiencing homelessness, including H.B.s 127, 729, 730 and 1175, which would create a pilot program to study youth homelessness to help the General Assembly better understand the issues creating homelessness.
Pennsylvania Department of Education reported 46,714 children and youth in Pennsylvania experienced homelessness from July 1, 2022, through June. 30, 2023. Of this figure, 14% of the children had not yet enrolled in kindergarten and were infants through 5 years of age – and 17% of the children and youth were unaccompanied by an adult or guardian.
“It’s time we invest more in shelters tailored to our teens and young adults,” said Rep. Jeanne McNeill, who represents portions of Lehigh County. “It’s time we start implementing new policies and improve current policies that are proactive and allow us to prevent people from becoming homeless.”
The Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness program is designed to ensure that these children are provided the resources needed to stay in school and connected to their communities.
“Youth and children experiencing homelessness often experience setbacks while attempting to find stability in their lives,” said state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, who represents portions of Erie County. “My bill would provide assistance for youth to acquire identification that is pivotal for enrolling in schools, scheduling doctor appointments and employment.”
Bizzarro’s bill, H.B. 127, to help youth obtain identification and driver’s licenses passed the House with wide bipartisan support in July.
State Rep. Melissa Shusterman’s H.B. 1175 would create a pilot program with students at four community colleges and two PASSHE institutions, where youth experiencing homelessness are provided with resources while pursuing higher education and career development.
Lawmakers, advocates and supporters of the effort to end youth homelessness who appeared at the news conference included state Rep. Curry; Rep. Jeanne McNeill; Rep. Smith-Wade-El; Jada Guiste, a Hope Through Learning Scholarship award recipient; Sonia Pitzi, the Regional 3 Coordinator for Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program; Patricia Maila, the Families in Transition Site Coordinator for the School District of Lancaster; Gwen Bailey, the vice president of programs for HopePHL; Doris Hagerman, the director of student services/homeless and Foster Care for Cumberland Valley School District.