ENDING CHILD
& YOUTH
HOMELESSNESS

Why This Issue Matters

Advocating for housing access and legislative solutions directly impacts family’s health and safety. Rising costs of housing are difficult for families to maintain. Children may be displaced by eviction hearings, where low-income families have disproportionate access to legal counsel. Inconsistent definitions of homelessness leave some people unaccounted for, such as those in overcrowded living circumstances.

Become a Volunteer Court Watcher

WCA, in partnership with our community allies, organizes a court watching program to promote justice in eviction courts and strengthen our advocacy against homelessness. 
If you are interested in volunteering, please email us at [email protected]

WCA's Current Efforts

Volunteer Eviction Court Watchers Program: train volunteers to observe landlord-tenant eviction court in Westchester and advocate for tenant’s increased access to legal representation. Use this data to support the county’s implementation of Access to Counsel legislation and expansive state Right to Counsel services. For more information on Court Watchers click here.
Make the Definition of ‘Homelessness’ More Inclusive:
  • the current NY state-accepted definition fails to cover all scenarios in which a child experiences inadequate housing. Expanding the definition would ensure all children experiencing housing instability, including those in overcrowded, “doubled and tripled” living conditions, have access to adequate and accessible resources.
Westchester County Homelessness Data Dashboard: track housing needs across local municipalities to display the demonstrated demand for increased homelessness-prevention resources. Click here to see the Dashboard.
Debora Barrios, a housing consultant at the Community Resource Center in Mamaroneck, speaks about her experience as a volunteer in WCA’s Court Watchers Program. Court watching contributes to WCA’s continued advocacy efforts for child and family homelessness.
 

Take Action

A renter in Westchester earning an average wage needs to work 75 hours a week or hold 1.9 jobs to afford a two-bedroom apartment. This is why Child & Youth Homelessness is a key issue area for WCA!

To Learn More or Get Involved

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Reach us via email at  [email protected]!

Become A Volunteer

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  • Child & Youth Homelessness
  • Home Visiting / Early Childhood Development
  • Youth Justice / Raise the Age
  • Youth Development