Poughkeepsie’s Growing Demographic: Homeless Families
POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Homelessness in the City of Poughkeepsie is a growing problem, one that is afflicting families and more specifically, children.
In 2016, the New York State Division of State and Government Accountability reported that there were an estimated 375 homeless people in Dutchess County. Approximately 31.73 percent are children under the age of 18, representing one of the largest demographics within the homeless population.
Children represent one of the largest groups in Dutchess County shelters. New York State reported that in 2016, 56 families with at least one child under the age of 18 were living in emergency shelters. There were at least 49 families with children living in transitional shelters.
Area family shelters such as the Gannett House are noticing the increase. “There has been in an increase in individuals looking for emergency housing. [The Department of Community and Family Services] DCFS has placed people in hotels in Dutchess and Ulster County because family shelters are full,” said Nikole Johannesen, Resident Services Manager of the Gannett House, located at 391 Manchester Road, Poughkeepsie. While the shelter used to see an increase in families during the winter months, Johannesen said “now it is pretty consistent that we are full all year round.”
If the Gannett House cannot accommodate a family, they will be placed in a local hotel for the night until DCFS can assist the family the next day.
Johannesen cited unaffordable housing and an increase in emergency housing approvals as part of the reason for this rise in families needing shelter.
Helping the county’s most vulnerable citizens
The city of Poughkeepsie relies on two shelters to help support the growing need of families and children under the age of 18. The Gannett House offers up to 25 rooms for families and a room for emergency placement. “We provide care management, after-school tutoring program, drop-in center, van runs into the city of Poughkeepsie so they can keep their appointments and go to DCFS,” said Johannesen. Gannett House also offers special programs for the children such as birthday and holiday parties.
The River Haven shelter, located at 99 Thompson Street in Poughkeepsie, is designed to support homeless youth. “At River Haven, we take youth ages 10 through 17. We can house 12 youth at a time(coed), and they can stay for up to 30 days without parental consent,” said Christina Caserta, Program Manager at River Haven House. “Our goal is always to work with the youth so they can return home. If they can’t go home, then the care manager will help them try to find a safe alternative living situation,” said Caserta.
Dealing with the stigma
Children who make up 31.73% of Dutchess County’s homeless population face a unique set of challenges. “In school, they battle with the stigma of living in a homeless shelter; they are usually behind in their school work and hitting the benchmarks for their grade,” stated Johannesen. In addition, these children are forced to adapt to living in one room in a shelter. These children are missing the things their peers take for granted such as: privacy, shoes, clothing, and even wifi.
Organizations like the Gannett House and River Haven Shelters try and help children with these challenges. “We help advocate in the schools,” said Johannesen, “We have an after-school tutoring program, a drop-in center for younger children and are trying to set up a program for young children 3–5 who are not in school yet.”
At River Haven, the staff and management try and assist young adults with different seminars. “Within our program, our staff runs life skills and social-emotional learning workshops,” said Caserta.
Area schools are also trying to assist. Schools ensure that their backpacks are filled with snacks or meals for the weekend.
