Strategies for Ending Homelessness Among Children and Families

The number of children and families experiencing homelessness in the United States has increased dramatically since the problem first emerged in the 1980s. Today, more than 1.6 million children, or one in 45, are homeless in a given year (The National Center on Family Homelessness, 2011a, 2011b, 2011c, 2011d). Homelessness is a devastating experience for all family members and is especially traumatic for children. Permanent housing options in combination with ongoing supports and services must be implemented to prevent and end homelessness. This chapter describes a national and state-based advocacy effort—the Campaign to End Child Homelessness—launched by The National Center on Family Homelessness in 2009 to give a voice to homeless children and mobilize the political will to address this national tragedy. This chapter describes the extent and nature of child homelessness in America, discusses solutions, and details the Campaign’s advocacy activities and outcomes.