What is the latest research on children experiencing family homelessness?

See our chapter just published to summarize the most recent findings.

Family homelessness is a growing yet underrecognized crisis in the United States, affecting up to 12% of children. Our chapter just published in the APA Handbook of Pediatric Psychology, Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, and Developmental Science describes the complex and damaging consequences of homelessness on child development, while highlighting how resilience and supportive interventions can change outcomes.

Homelessness isn't just living on the streets. It includes families staying in shelters, hotels, or doubled-up in crowded homes due to lack of affordable housing. These unstable conditions come with both acute (e.g., eviction, domestic violence) and chronic (e.g., poverty, lack of education) risks that influence children's physical health, emotional well-being, and academic performance.

Children in homeless families are more likely to be born premature or with low birth weight, suffer from chronic illnesses like asthma, and experience mental health challenges such as anxiety and behavioral problems. Educationally, they face greater school absences, more grade repetition, and lower test scores. These outcomes are compounded by strained caregiver relationships, limited access to services, and systemic barriers such as stigma, racism, and underfunded social services.

Despite these risks, many children demonstrate resilience—especially when they have supportive caregivers, access to quality education, and responsive communities. Programs that offer housing assistance combined with wraparound services show the most promise. Long-term rent subsidies, trauma-informed care, and integrated health and education services can significantly improve outcomes.

We wrote this chapter to call on pediatric professionals, policymakers, and communities to take a holistic, systems-based approach. Family homelessness is not just a housing issue—it’s a public health and child development crisis that demands coordinated, compassionate, and evidence-informed responses.

Follow this link for more information or to request a copy of the full chapter!