REPORT SAYS WV NEEDS TO BETTER ADDRESS HOMELESS CHILDREN

(12/14/2011)
America's Youngest Outcasts 2010 says West Virginia's efforts to address homeless children are inadequate.

With 8,305 homeless children in 2010, West Virginia ranked 35th and near the bottom for child well being at 48.

The National Center on Family Homelessness ranks West Virginia's state policy and planning 28th among the states.

While West Virginia has a state housing trust fund, the report says it lacks an active Inter-agency Council on Homelessness and a 10-year plan that includes children and families.

Other areas examined by the report were extent of child homelessness, risk for homelessness and child well being.

Overall, the report ranked West Virginia 34th.

Vermont was the top-ranked state and Alabama was 50th.