A new analysis by CCH shows 105,338 Chicagoans were homeless in the course of the 2011-12 school year. This is 12% more than the 93,780 who were homeless a year earlier.
The total is based, in part, on the rising enrollment of homeless students in Chicago Public Schools (CPS). This includes those who are doubled-up in the homes of others because of hardship, according to Policy Director Julie Dworkin, who prepared the annual report.
Per the 2011-12 CCH analysis, families made up 48.6% of Chicago’s homeless population. There were 35,625 children (33.8%) and 15,557 parents or grandparents (14.8%).
Single adults made up 41%, or 43,161 men and women.
Unaccompanied youth (ages 14 to 21) were 10.4% percent of Chicago’ s homeless population, at 10,995. These youth are homeless and living on their own, without the support of family or guardian. This included 3,005 youth that CPS says were living on their own and attending city schools.
CPS identified a record 17,255 homeless students in the school year that ended in June, a 10.7% increase from the prior year’s record. Of this, 98.4% were children of color and 18% have been diagnosed with disabilities or development delays.
– Anne Bowhay, Media
