And in the past three years, while 6,757 families found permanent housing with state help, an equal number did not.

The next move is usually to permanent housing and, presumably, a second start at life.

"People need to have access to permanent housing without having to go through the system."

The organization has put more than 4,000 people into permanent housing.

The city does little to help people move into permanent housing.

Since the center opened, social workers have placed seven people in some kind of permanent housing.

By then, records say, the family had found permanent housing.

Since the center opened, permanent housing has been found for 35 families.

When parents find permanent housing, they move their children again, sometimes too far for them to stay in the same school.

And city officials say only half of those who apply each month now get permanent housing.