Nearly 55 percent of Florida’s homeless population are children who are either living in or near poverty, or in households that are one missed paycheck or lost job away from not being able to meet basic needs. With 20% of Florida children actually living in poverty, Florida ranks in the bottom 15 states (35th in the nation). The majority of these children (71%) are Black or Latino . Children living in poverty are more vulnerable to low academic achievement, dropping out of school, abuse and neglect, behavioral and socioemotional problems, physical health problems, and developmental delays.
According to the Federal Reserve, 41% of adults nationwide would be unable to pay for an unexpected $400 emergency expense. Altogether, one-third of adults are either unable to pay their bills or are one modest financial setback away from financial hardship.
