Housing Insecurity: The Hidden Reality of Many Families with Young Children

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of topics such as childhood trauma, family separation, and personal experiences of housing insecurity and homelessness. These are important, and emotionally challenging, topics. If this doesn’t feel like the right content for you to engage with today, please skip this episode. This episode delves into the often-overlooked issue of homelessness among families with young children, highlighting the alarming statistics and personal stories that illustrate the impact of housing insecurity on families. Host Esmeralda Cortez Rosales engages with experts Chantelle Wilkinson and Mariah Corder to dispel myths surrounding homelessness, discuss the role of the national Opportunity Starts at Home campaign, and ultimately call for a more integrated, robust approach to housing advocacy. Chantelle Wilkinson is the National Campaign Director for Opportunity Starts at Home. Through federal housing policies that expand resources and correct long-standing structural and racial inequities, Opportunity Starts at Home works to ensure that people with the lowest incomes can afford a good home, which adds to their quality of life through better health, greater educational attainment, and stronger earnings. Mariah Corder is a California resident and mother of two young children 5 years old and younger. She also serves as California Youth Connection’s Bay Area Advocacy Coordinator where she brings experience in community organizing, youth engagement, and an infectious energy that can inspire a nation. In this conversation, Chantelle and Mariah discuss the interconnected topics of youth advocacy, housing insecurity, and the importance of community support. They highlight the challenges faced by young people, particularly those impacted by the foster care and juvenile justice systems, and the need for cross-sector collaboration to address these issues. The discussion emphasizes the importance of listening, advocacy, and practical steps that individuals can take to support families in need of stable housing. Chapters 00:12 The Hidden Crisis of Child Homelessness 03:59 Personal Stories of Housing Insecurity 07:29 Understanding Opportunity Starts at Home 13:23 Dispelling Myths About Families Experiencing Homelessness 17:50 The Importance of Multi-Sector Advocacy 25:30 School-to-Homelessness Pipeline 31:32 Building Community: Breaking Silos in Advocacy 39:24 Taking Action: Practical Steps for Advocacy 45:00 The Power of Listening: Personal Stories of Support Resources: https://www.opport