November is homeless awareness month

HOME, in partnership with the City of Kissimmee, the City of St. Cloud, and Osceola County is honored to bring awareness to National Homeless Awareness Month. Below is a Proclamation, signed by all three entities respectively to stand in solidarity with homeless individuals in Osceola County.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, November is Homeless Awareness Month, which is meant to increase awareness of, and focus attention on the people in our community who are homeless; and

WHEREAS, homeless people include the working poor, veterans, people with disabilities, mothers who have fled domestic violence, and people who by no choice of their own cannot find affordable housing; and

WHEREAS, in this county, there are currently 1,134 school-aged children who are homeless, and the effects of homelessness on children are many, including: homeless children are seven times as likely than other children to be placed in foster care; 75% of homeless children under the age of five have at least one major developmental delay; 47% of homeless children have problems with anxiety, depression, or withdrawal; 69% of homeless children attend more than one school during the school year; and 75% of homeless children perform below grade level in reading; and

WHEREAS, the homeless in this community are our neighbors, families, and friends; and being homeless compromises not just the quality of life of the person but also of the community.

NOW, THEREFORE, we do hereby proclaim November 2010 as

NATIONAL HOMELESS AWARENESS MONTH

and urge all citizens to join in recognizing the important roles we can play in making a difference in the lives of individuals and families who are homeless in our community.

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