Homeless Children

A homeless child is any child under the age of 18 who lacks consistent or adequate housing. This includes children who are living alone or with their guardians in shelters, hotels, motels, vehicles, parks, campgrounds, or doubled up in single-family dwellings with other families or other children. Children experiencing homelessness are a diverse population, though they often experience greater emotional, social, and educational instability. Some of the causes can be linked to poverty, joblessness, domestic and family violence, and unstable home environments. Homeless children and youth, unaccompanied by a parent or guardian, may be escaping volatile home environments, or may be struggling with mental illness, drug addiction, issues related to gender or sexual identity, or other social or emotional problems.

Because of their marginalized status as ...