The National Center on Family Homelessness NCFH today released a report outlining the extent of homelessness among children in the U.S. In America’s Youngest Outcasts: State Report Card on Child Homelessness, NCFH researchers found:
- More than 1.5 million children are homeless annually in the United States—one in every 50 American children.
- 42 percent of homeless children are younger than age 6.
- Homeless children have twice the rate of moderate to severe health conditions compared to middle class children, and twice the emotional problems.
- More than 1 in 7 homeless children have moderate to severe health conditions, such as asthma.
- Homeless children struggle in school, with an average 16% lower proficiency in math and reading, and an estimated graduation rate below 25%.
The report includes data for all 50 states along four major domains (extent of child homelessness; child well-being; risk for child homelessness; and state policy and planning efforts) and rankings by state, as well as a policy platform to address the problem of child homelessness.
There is a wealth of information on the report and the Campaign to End Child Homelessness at http://www.homelesschildrenamerica.org
Bill Pitkin 