9781422282601

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Chapter One WHOARE HOMELESS FAMILIES?

When you hear the term homeless person , what image jumps into your mind? For many people, the first thing they think of when they hear homeless person is an older man sleeping on a bench or street corner. People often imagine a person who is mentally ill or addicted to alcohol or drugs. These stereotypes are under- standable—there are certainly homeless people who fit those descriptions. But what about these examples? Amanda has two children, Sam and Evie. Their dad used to hit Amanda and the kids, too, so they left and Amanda got her own apartment. But when she lost her job, they ended up sleeping in the car.

Words to Understand stereotype: a quick assumption about an individual based on outside factors. precariously: set up in a way that is unstable or insecure. demographic: relating to aspects of a population.