UNCENSORED, American Family Experiences with Poverty and ...

UNCENSOREDon theHomefrontDatabank21,749@ 44 students per busthe number of school buses needed to seat the 956,914 homeless children attending public school in AmericaNO VACANCYColleges, Condos, and Correctional Facilities Turned into SheltersParents are out of work, out of funds, andas a result out of their homes. Homelessshelters have become the only option forsome families, but increasingly sheltershave no vacancies. Homeless servicesagencies throughout the country havebeen looking for ways to respond to thisincrease in need. Finding space quicklyenough that fits the bill has not been easy.But a few clever cities found unusualspots to call shelter during the recession.Salt Lake City, UtahThe Catholic student center at the Universityof Utah becomes a home to areahomeless families during the school’ssummer recess. Through a program sponsoredby Family Promise of Salt Lake, anThese luxury condominiums were convertedinto shelter for homeless families.interfaith alliance that assists facilities inhosting homeless families, study areasare transformed into living space andclassrooms become bedrooms. By thetime the students return to school in thefall, the space looks like a regular studentcenter again.Brooklyn, New YorkWalk-in closets and granite countertopsbecame everyday amenities whenhomeless families were placed in luxurycondominiums that had an asking price of$350,000 before the economic downturn.Evansville, IndianaA minimum-security jail is undergoingsubstantial renovation to shelter homelessfamilies. Once home to 205 maleprisoners, soon 32 families will freelycome and go at this revamped, brightcoloredfacility. ■page 2