Homelessness Among Families is Increasing
 One of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population is families with children. A 2005 study revealed that of the counted
homeless population there were 98,452 homeless families, making up 41% of the entire homeless population
(Homelessness Counts, 2007). Research indicates that families, single mothers, and children
make up the largest group of people who are homeless in rural areas (Vissing, 1996). Approximately
924,000 children are homeless, and in 1995, 4.2% of children under the age of one year were homeless
(Urban Institute, 2000; Culhane & Metraux, 1999). Homeless families are most commonly headed by single mothers
in their late 20s with approximately two children (Rog & Buckner, 2007). Homeless families often double up
with other families. This causes them to be exempt from the federal definition of chronic homelessness,
which states that a chronically homeless person is one who is on the streets or in a shelter (The Annual
Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, 2007). Therefore, many homeless families are prevented
from receiving assistance. Recent evidence confirms that homelessness among families is increasing.
Requests for assisted housing by low-income families and individuals increased in 86 percent
of the cities during the past year. The same study found the requests increased by an average of 5%
in 2005 (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2005). While the average number of emergency shelter beds for homeless
families with children increased by 8% in 2005, an average of 32% of requests for shelter by
homeless families were denied in 2005 due to lack of resources. Poverty and the lack of affordable
housing are the principal causes of family homelessness. While the number of poor people decreased
every year between 1993 and 2000, in recent years the number
and percentage of poor people has increased.
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