Overview

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report, 171,670 people in families, including 107,069 children under the age of 18, were homeless on a single night in 2019. For some of these families, lack of adequate housing contributed to the decision to open child welfare cases, place the child(ren) in out-of-home care, or delay reunification of children with parents. Reports indicate 50% of children in foster care were removed from homeless or unstably housed families. Rates of housing instability, homelessness and related child welfare involvement are higher among Black, Indigenous and families of color.

CSH is undertaking a strategic effort to break the intergenerational cycle of homelessness, child welfare involvement, and poor outcomes for vulnerable families with children.

Under One Roof, CSH is elevating the visibility of vulnerable, at-risk families and the need for an improved and integrated policy response through the availability and targeting of supportive housing for families caught in this cycle.

Goals

1. Strengthen collaboration between the child welfare and housing systems at the federal, state and local levels to integrate services and improve family stability.

2. Significantly expand access to affordable and supportive housing for families involved in multiple systems, including child welfare, at risk of separation due to neglect exacerbated by homelessness or housing instability.

3. Increase and sustain resources to provide and coordinate housing based services to ensure long-term success for vulnerable children and families.