Children Need Stable Housing to Thrive
By Denise Scott
As children return to school, we should be reminded that not every child has a stable home to return to at the end of the day. Housing is a key determinant of health, safety, and economic well-being. Children experiencing homelessness face mental and physical health challenges, as well as disruptions in their education, limiting their opportunities for a successful adulthood.
Across the country, the housing crisis is especially dire for children of parents who are earning low wages. In no state or city can a full-time minimum wage worker, working 40 hours per week, afford a two-bedroom apartment.
While the issue is complex, and different segments of children and youth experience housing insecurity in different ways, one thing is clear: the workers who help keep our cities running—and their children—deserve to have a stable roof over their heads.
Denise Scott, Founder of Bell and Notice Advisors, is a nationally recognized leader in community development finance. Over the course of her nearly 40 year career she oversaw the implementation of billions of dollars of investments in cities and rural communities nationwide.
