CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Hundreds of children in Clarksville are homeless, most of them living with their families in cars, in temporary motel rooms, or on the street. All told, there are currently over 900 homeless children here, a number that last year topped 1,300.

The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System tracks those numbers, and as of Wednesday, the school system had 969 students who qualified for Families in Transition services, provided for homeless families. To qualify, students have lacked a fixed, adequate and regular nighttime residence. In the 2023-24 school year, 1,342 students qualified for the program, according to CMCSS spokesman Anthony Johnson.

‘I’ve seen more and more new families’

Deborah Ashcraft, concerned citizen and the Grace Assistance Program director at Clarksville Urban Ministries, saw firsthand how dire the situation has become during recent weeks at the Emergency Warming Shelter. “With having the warming shelter open, I’ve seen more and more new families that we haven’t had contact with before that are homeless,” Ashcraft told Clarksville Now.

She emphasized that with every homeless family, there is a reason they got there. Urban Ministries Executive Director Jodi McBryant said among those reasons are economic instability, lack of affordable housing and fleeing domestic violence.

Nonprofits coming together

Several resources are available to families experiencing homelessness.

“We are so blessed in Montgomery County that we have so many wonderful nonprofits,” Ashcraft said. “Not one of us can do it alone; that’s why it’s important that we all try to focus on what we do best. Then, we can pick up those pieces with other agencies such as the Community Action Agency and Old Firehouse Station Shelter. They’re working with me so during the day if they identify a family in need of shelter, they can put them in shelter, and if it’s after hours, I can take care of the families. It’s about knowing who has what and what they are capable of helping you with that makes it successful.”

Urban Ministries typically houses families in hotels when temperatures drop below freezing. During a recent cold spell, Urban Ministries housed 13 families. “We’re not just talking one kid either. There’s three to four kids in some of these families,” Ashcraft said. “So, it’s not going to be an easy fix, but it’s something we definitely need to focus on in Montgomery County.”

‘There’s help for you’

Case managers at Urban Ministries work directly with families to gather information, asking questions such as:

  • Is anyone in their family employed?
  • Do they need help getting employment?
  • Are they on any disability/benefits?

Then, the case managers try to push them in the right direction.

For those with children who might be afraid to seek help, while she can’t speak on behalf of DCS or CMCSS, McBryant said had been told it’s better to report that you are experiencing homelessness with children and providing them with the safest environment that you can, versus not reporting it. “I encourage people to come forward, there’s help for you, and there’s tons of resources in our community.”

To get help, go to the Clarksville Area Urban Ministries website, call 931-648-9090 or visit their office at 217 S. Third St.

The CMCSS Families in Transition Office coordinates services and partners across the district to provide support to students experiencing homelessness. “Any CMCSS family that may be lacking a fixed, adequate, or regular nighttime residence is encouraged to contact their child’s school or the FIT Team directly at fit@cmcss.net for resources and support,” Johnson said.

‘People need a second chance’

There are important ways the community can help children get off the streets and into permanent homes.

When it comes to donations, “Monetary donations help because if a family is homeless, and they have income, most places you have to make three times the amount of rent to even get into a place,” Ashcraft said. “You may be able to afford say $1,100 a month, but you don’t have that much money up front.”

Ashcraft said those donations help people get into places with a security deposit, then, if they do get into a place, the donations would also go toward furniture.

“All of those things are important, such as beds for the kids, because you’re still going to be under that radar of making sure you can provide for your family once you get into housing.”

She also had a plea for landlords and other property owners: “Let’s give somebody a chance. Let’s look at the situation,” Ashcraft said. “If they are being case-managed through an agency, then we’re trying to keep them on track. People need a second chance at affordable housing. If it is affordable, some of these families can get off the street. But right now, we just don’t have a lot of options for them.”

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