In 2011, 22 percent of U.S. children lived in poverty and 33 percent of our children lived in families in which neither parent had full-time, year-round jobs. On a single night in America, 636,017 people were homeless -- essentially as many people as live in Baltimore, MD.
The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is dedicated to creating economic opportunity by using national service to improve the financial well-being and security of economically disadvantaged individuals. Community organizations across the country are learning about specific interventions to address the housing, financial literacy, and employment needs of low-income populations.
For example, there is corroborating research that shows the most successful intervention for chronic homelessness is permanent supportive housing, which couples housing with services that target the specific needs of residents. Similarly, evaluations of financial coaching show strong potential for this service to aid asset building among low-income families.
For more than 45 years, national service has proven to be a catalyst when combined with community-based economic opportunity resources and programming. Our programs will boost initiatives that provide financial education, tax preparation services, consumer counseling, connection with community services or benefits, housing construction and repair, and links to job training and placement programs.