In recent years, many homeowners in Florida have faced mortgage problems and foreclosures. Children are among the individuals who can be impacted by foreclosures. One could see how having a family home foreclosed on could have major effects on a child.
A new report appears to indicate that many children in Florida have been impacted by foreclosures in recent years. The report was issued by the Annie E. Casey Foundation and it is about the health and well-being of children. According to the report, since 2007, foreclosures have affected around 626,000 children in Florida. This reportedly works out to about 10 percent of Florida’s children.
The above-mentioned findings of the report are worrisome. It is troubling to think that such a high number of children in Florida have had their lives impacted by foreclosures. One wonders whether foreclosures and their impacts on children have played a role in Florida ranking 36th among states when it comes to the health and well-being of children. One also wonders if we will continue to see a high number of Florida children being affected by foreclosures in years to come.
The report’s findings give rise to some questions worth considering, such as:
- Can anything be done to reduce the impact foreclosures have on children in Florida?
- Are communities and the state doing enough to help children and families who have been impacted by foreclosures?
- Do authorities need to do more to address mortgage and foreclosure issues in Florida?
What do you think of the report’s findings?
Source: The Palm Beach Post, “Study: Florida 36th in U.S. in kids’ health,” Ana M. Valdes, Aug. 17, 2011