About Family Homelessness

Every year, hundreds of thousands of American families become homeless. Within these families are more than 1.3 million children.

Most homeless families are headed by a young single mother with two children under age 6. She may have lost her job or her home, become injured or ill, or be fleeing from domestic violence. After teetering on the edge of homelessness for weeks or months, a single crisis may have plunged her into the abyss. Suddenly, she is completely alone with children to feed, shelter, nurture, and protect.

Homeless children face sickness, hunger, and fear. They suffer from dramatically higher levels of acute and chronic illness. They go hungry at twice the rate of other children. As night comes, they wonder where they will sleep. They dread being taken away from their family. Living on the streets, they bear personal witness to violence and abuse.

After years of research and program development, we know how to help homeless children and families. Many states and local communities have detailed plans in place. We are poised at an historic moment for decisive action to end family homelessness in America.