More Oregon kids have a school but not a home

Education - The number of homeless students rises as Oregon's stronger economy fails to lift poorer families Thursday, September 13, 2007
BETSY HAMMOND The Oregonian Staff (Read full story here...)
Despite a rebounding economy, Oregon schools report a continuing surge in the number of their students who are homeless.

"The latest count of 15,517 homeless children and youth, released Wednesday, is 18 percent higher than a year ago and 37 percent higher than two years ago. Educators say schools are doing a better job of identifying students who lack permanent homes and also doing a better job of helping students in those straits to overcome barriers and stay in school.

More than 200 homeless education specialists around the state work to make sure that students who become homeless get the bus rides, food baskets, utility assistance, encouragement and red-tape-busting that they and their families need to keep them in class.

But they say the rising numbers also reflect a tough reality for Oregon families with children: Housing costs continue to skyrocket while incomes for those at the bottom of the economic spectrum have not. Affordable housing is extremely scarce, they say.

"Despite the economic trends, there are more kids that are new to homelessness now than ever before," says Dona Bolt, Oregon's coordinator of homeless education. Nearly 2,500 of the homeless students lack not only a home, but also a parent or guardian.

Abandoned by parents or having run away from home or foster care, these students "couch surf," staying temporarily with a series of friends and acquaintances.....

...The definition of homeless students is broader than just those young people living in shelters or on the street. It includes any student whose family lacks a sturdy home of their own, including families who have to move in with friends or relatives for economic reasons; families who live in tents, garages or trailers without running water or electricity; and families who live in motels. ..."

Along with homelessness comes poor health as well as an influx of diseases. Health care is a primary issue for people without a home. Health care is a legitimate right for children. Many seem to think it is a privilege that children are not entitled to.

Ballot Measure 50 will provide over 100,000 uninsured children in Oregon with the health care coverage they need and deserve. It will strengthen safety net clinics, rural health care facilities and provide health care for Oregon’ lowest income families.

Ballot Measure 50 is an 84.5¢ tax on packs of cigarettes as well as other cigarette products. The Measure has already don’t the calculations to integrate a potential decrease in smokers over time. It will raise over $150 Million in the first two years and over $200,000 in the following two years.

You can read up more on Ballot Measure 50 and Senate Joint Resolution 4 as well as what it will provide at these links.

On November 6, you will have the opportunity to Vote Yes on Ballot Measure 50.