Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Bezos, his ex-wife, are giving away US$2 billion. The money will fund existing nonprofits to support homeless families and establish a new network of free preschools for low-income children.
I've researched the best ways to end homelessness for three decades and I was initially thrilled by both parts of their plan when they announced it in 2018 because the two issues aren't as different as they may seem. Half of the children in families that become homeless are 5 or younger. In fact, the age at which a person is most likely to stay in a homeless shelter in the United States is infancy.
I believe offering families who face economic hardship high-quality child care at no cost could both prevent some family homelessness and benefit children in families who do lose their homes. But I am troubled by the homeless side of these philanthropic efforts because they appear less strategic.
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