Statistics Relating to Homeless Children
United States
- One in every 50 American Children goes to sleep without a home of their own each year.
- Approximately 1.6 million children are homeless annually in the United States.
- The recession has led to a 50% increase in students identified as homeless in schools districts throughout the country.
- There are almost 800,000 children and youth served in foster care each year in the United States.
California
- California ranks 49 out of 50 in number of homeless children.
- 292,624 California children experience homelessness each year.
- Families with young children now account for 40% of the homeless population.
Los Angeles County
- The number of homeless people in Los Angeles is higher than any other US urban area.
- 141,737 residents of Los Angeles County are homeless at some point over the course of the year.
- Every night there are over 84,000 who are homeless in LA County.
- Over 35,000 homeless youth are enrolled in LA County Schools, of which 12,500 are enrolled in LAUSD alone.
Homeless Statistics
Accurate statistics regarding the number of homeless children are difficult to obtain. The homeless population is constantly in flux. The statistics are the most recent and admittedly under estimated. Most counts do not specifically identify children, do not include families staying in motels or children living in group foster homes.
Homeless Resources
The following websites and pdf’s are useful tools to find out more about homelessness in the U.S. and how you can help.
- Fact Sheet explaining homelessness to high school students
View Website - Fact Sheet: Youth Homelessness
View Website - Kids of Foreclosure – Website for students experiencing homelessness
View Website - Press Kit 2011
Download File - The Soloist (The Movie) – Humanizing Homelessness
Download File - Fact Sheet explaining homelessness for K through grade 2
Download File - Fact Sheet explaining homelessness for children in grades 3 through 5
Download File - Fact Sheet explaining homelessness for middle school students
Download File - Homeless Families and Children – The 2007 National Symposium on Homelessness Research
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