Problem           

 Tauma:   Trauma among homelessness women and children in the U.S. is a major problem.  Research has shown individuals who are homeless are likely to have experienced some form of trauma.  According to research many homeless women and children have experienced:

*Childhood Abuse,
*Physical Assualts, and/or Abuse,
*Sexual Assaults, 
*Emotional Abuse 
*Mental Abuse,
*Sexual Exploitation,
*Death,
*llness, 
*Violence,
*Dislocation,
*Natural Disasters

Statistical Data:   The National Center for Homelessness reports 50%-60% homeless women and children are fleeing violence; 92% of homeless mothers experience severe physical and sexual assautls, 66% experience physical abuse, and 43% were sexually assaulted as children. The report further postulates 83% of homeless children experience violence, and 25% of children over the age of 12 have witnessed violence.  

Trauma and Homelessness Among Specific Populations:

Women Exoffenders and Trauma:     According to the Bureau of Statistics 6 out of 10 female exoffenders incarcerated in state prisons experienced emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and various other forms of trauma, which in many cases attribute to homelessness.
 
Female Homeless Veterans and Trauma:  The National Coalition of Homeless Veterans estimates 5% (7,000) of the homeless veterans are women.   Research suggests that 81%-93% of female veterans have been exposed to some type of trauma that included:  childhood abuse, domestic violence, combat-related stress, military sexual trauma, and the loss of social supports and stable housing. 
      
Homeless Women and Children:   The National Center for Homelessness reports 65% of sheltered populations are women and families with children; 600,000 to 1.37 million are children; 14% are single women; and 84% homeless are headed by women.  

San Diego County Homeless Families with Children:    The National Aliance to End Homelessness  reports there are 9,667 homeless individuals in San Diego County; 8,500 live in unsheltered conditions and consist of families with children and 14% (1,400) are women.                    
 
In addition, individuals challenged with trauma and homelessness also struggle with issues of substance use, incarceration, mental health, employment, and support.
                                                                               Solution  

*Provide long term transitional and independent living housing, and develop trauma informed care and specialized
  programs  and services to assist homeless women and children with recovering from trauma and homelessness; 

*Create safe, drug and crime free environments that addresses the multifacted and interwoven needs of 
  homeless women and children experiencing trauma;

*Create a "to do no harm" environment that reflects physical and emotional safety, and that exemplifies a non-judgmental 
  atmosphere where clients have the opportunities to (1) understand the stores of their lives and find validation; (2) learn to
  trust; and (3) heal and grow; 

*Utilize transformative knowledge to mentor, coach, and inspire clients towards positive changes as they engage in the
  healing process; 

*Offer clients the opportunity to recognize their worth, and to explore and develop their inner strength to
  become personally responsible for their success.