May 12, 2010 - Declaring that “more affordable housing can expose children to more educational opportunity,” Deputy State Education Commissioner George Coleman summarized the consensus of more than a dozen experts April 28 at Housing, Education & Healthcare: Creating Housing That Enhances School Performance & Health.”

The fourth of five forums in The Lyceum’s 2010 Housing Policy Series (www.housingpolicy2010.org), the event saw experts from the state Departments of Public Health, Children and Families and Education, HUD, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Columbia and Yale Universities and others conclude that:

• Connecticut must increase remediation programs to remove lead paint, mold, dust mites and other allergens and hazards from home or children will continue to miss school or perform poorly because of illness.
• Connecticut must create affordable homes in more than the 31 municipalities that have significant affordable housing opportunities now to give children and their families access to neighborhoods, community services and schools that can help them succeed.
• Too many school children in urban districts are homeless, or must move during the school year, causing them to fall behind and fail, and develop behavioral disorders that limit their ability to learn.

Read more at http://www.housingpolicy2010.org/ed-health.htm