New Reports on Barriers Faced by Homeless People and Service Providers

The first, "Access Delayed, Access Denied," examines "Not in My Back Yard" (NIMBY) opposition to housing and services for homeless people across the United States. This investigative report is based on a survey of 92 transitional housing centers in 71 cities and small towns. It provides:
 

• Statistics on emergency shelter and transitional housing capacity;
• Analysis of the causes of NIMBY opposition, methods of exclusion, resolutions of siting conflicts, and proactive efforts to reduce siting barriers;
• Summaries of relevant legal and legislative developments; and
• Recommendations to the federal, state and local governments and service providers.

Barriers to Preschool Education

The second report, "Blocks to Their Future," discusses the barriers to preschool education for homeless children. It is based on statistics gathered from a survey of 93 State Coordinators of Education for Homeless Children and Youth, public preschool administrators and family shelter providers. The report:
 

• Analyzes the progress made in advancing homeless children’s access to public preschool education pursuant to the McKinney Act Education Program (MAEP) mandates;
• Identifies the barriers that prevent the enrollment, attendance and participation of homeless children in preschool education;
• Presents policy recommendations to ensure compliance with MAEP mandates; and
• Recommend effective ways to remove some of the obstacles to public preschool programs for homeless children.

"Access Delayed, Access Denied" and "Blocks to Their Future" are both available directly from the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 918 "F" Street, N.W., Suite 412, Washington, DC 20004, Tel. (202) 638-2535. Each publication costs $25 plus $3 for postage and handling.