Homelessness is an issue that impacts people of all ages, but children are particularly vulnerable to its effects. In 2022, MTM’s Prevention and Diversion team helped divert 298 families—almost 1,000 children—from homelessness by working in schools across the greater Grand Rapids Area. By serving in six school districts, most with in-school office hours, they are able to help more families from ever experiencing life on the streets.
Diversion is a strategy that prevents homelessness for people seeking shelter. It helps them identify immediate alternate housing arrangements and connects them with services and financial assistance in the community to help them return to permanent housing. A family is counted as diverted if they were able to prevent eviction, maintain current housing, or find alternate housing arrangements with the help of mediation and case management. It is an ever-evolving problem-solving approach that has proven effective in preventing homelessness.
For example, take the case of a single dad that drove for a delivery company for 20 years. He was hurt at work, on workers comp, and fighting for SSI. He got behind a couple of months of rent trying to win his case, so he reached out to MTM for some assistance. Through case management and the ability to offer some financial support while also assisting with navigating other available resources, he and his three school-aged kids were successfully diverted.
The effects of homelessness on children are devastating, especially when it comes to their education. A child who experiences homelessness is three times as likely to become homeless as an adult. According to Volunteers of America, “Children experiencing homelessness lack the stability and support necessary to succeed academically. In addition to academic impacts, disruptions to a child’s education threaten their social and emotional development. Chronic absenteeism can play a significant role in children experiencing homelessness falling behind one grade or more.”
By addressing the root causes of homelessness and providing families with the support they need before they become homeless, we can take steps to break the cycle and ensure every child has a safe and stable place to call home.
