According to Oregon Housing and Community Services, 16% of individuals experiencing homelessness in Multnomah are part of households with Children. An estimated 57,971 family households are identified as homeless, and an estimated 16,938 are living in conditions unsuitable for living. Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. 

Families experiencing homelessness struggle financially and often endure other obstacles. Mothers experiencing homelessness are poorer in health and their children are more likely to suffer from health problems compared to housed and/or low income children due to limited access to healthcare. Homeless children suffer from chronic illness and acute illness at twice the rate of the general population. Another prevalent health issue stems from food insecurity, homeless children have worse physical and mental health, developmental delays, and poorer academic performances.

According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on a single night in January 2008, families with children comprised 38% of shelter and unsheltered people in the United States. From October 2007 to September 2008, 1.6 million people came to a shelter or a transitional housing program and 516,700 were a family unit. Families lose privacy in shelters and have to adhere to new rules and regulations, disrupting and upsetting family hierarchies. Homeless families are more likely to live in unsafe neighborhood in condition that are unhealthy and unsafe. 50 percent of children without homes are under the age of 5. Lastly, children without homes have more school absences which compromises their academia and self-esteem. 

If you are interested in helping families to transition out of homelessness, click the link provided on Portland Homeless Family Solutions to see their programs and getting involved. 

http://www.pdxhfs.org