Despite the emphasis on homeownership, one-third of all U.S. households (nearly 36 million households) rent. This report from the National Low Income Housing Coalition offers a state-by-state and community comparison of the hourly wage someone must earn to be able to afford rent and utilities in local housing markets.

Caitlin Crane of Portland, Oregon has put homelessness and addiction behind her, and is reaching for a bright future with her young son. With help from a non-profit dedicated to steering teen mothers towards success, Crane is beating the odds, and reaching out to help other young mothers do the same. Linda Baker asked Crane to talk about what teen moms need to get ahead.

The National Student Campaign Against Hunger and Homelessness will host its 18th Annual Conference on Hunger and Homelessness from November 11-13, 2005, at Seattle University in Seattle, Washington. The conference will help student leaders and advocates improve campus programs and strategic planning. Administrators are also encouraged to attend. For more information, contact:

PCHCF keeps children experiencing homelessness connected to their education, through funding for transportation, school supplies, uniforms, tutoring and enrichment opportunities.

Portland, Maine high school senior Ashley Keiran is an expert in something she feels Portland teachers should know more about—how hard it can be to meet the expectations of school while homeless or dealing with the uncertainties of foster care. So Keiran, with help from a youth development grant and an adult mentor, is working on a lesson plan.

Project Connect keeps children experiencing homelessness connected to their education through advocacy, enrollment and transportation assistance, tutoring, enrichment and support with school supplies & uniforms.

Too often, kids who lose their homes also lose much more, as they are either abruptly transferred to new schools or stop going because they lack documentation to enroll. A federal law, McKinney-Vento, helps. But it takes caring people, teamwork, and funding to make it work. Judith Reppucci reports on how New Bedford, Massachusetts is facing up to the challenge.

Most low-income families with children don't get all of the help they should, partly because it is so hard to find out what's available and fill out the paperwork. This article, originally from the September-October 2004 issue of the Children's Advocate, published by Action Alliance for Children, shows how in California, community agencies are helping.

The New Mexico resort town of Taos isn't known for its elevated rates of child poverty and teen homelessness. But those harsh realities have spurred a team of seven local women to create a special place where at least some homeless teens can get the help they need to become successful young adults. Denise M. Spranger reports.

For more than 10 years, Agnes Stevens has kept her School on Wheels program tightly focused on doing one thing well: helping homeless children keep up with their schoolwork by providing volunteer tutors. Holly St. Lifer reports on the power of a simple idea in action.