Topline:
More than 3% of all babies and toddlers under age 4 in California experienced homelessness from 2021-2022, according to a new report by the nonprofit SchoolHouse Connection and the University of Michigan. It also showed that few of those babies were enrolled in an early childhood development programs designed to help families, like Early Head Start.
Why it matters: Research has shown that babies who experience homelessness are at greater risk for developmental delays and poorer health outcomes. Experts say early childhood development programs can help mitigate some of the negative effects, and support families with things from diapers to housing services.
Despite a federal requirement: The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act requires local school district liaisons to refer infants and toddlers who aren’t of school age to early childhood services like Head Start and Early Head Start.
Why it matters: Research has shown that babies who experience homelessness are at greater risk for developmental delays and poorer health outcomes. Experts say early childhood development programs can help mitigate some of the negative effects, and support families with things from diapers to housing services.
Rising homelessness: The number of unhoused families with children rose 16% from 2022-2023 across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A report from The Eviction Lab from Princeton University also found families with children under 5 were at most risk of being evicted.
