According to the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, 3.5-4.5 million people are estimated to be homeless in America. Upwards of 40% of the homeless populations are families with children below the age of 12. On any given day 42% of homeless families report not having any food and for having gone more than 24 hours with out anything to eat or drink.

Women head 86% of the homeless families. These are the children of broken homes, now raising "broken" children. (IUGM Women and Family Ministry Survey).

A survey by IUGM Women and Family Ministry showed that 58% of homeless parents have been homeless before, so they are learning how to live from "pillar to post." Homelessness will beget homelessness. The truth is, we know what causes homelessness. Fractured families beget fractured children, who grow up following in their family’s footprints.

Each year over 5,000 women and children rely on the Georgia Travis Center for meals, clothing, educational services, case management, abuse counseling, child development, diapers, baby food and other services.

In 2002, InnVision turned away 1,720 women and children from services the Georgia Travis offers due to lack of space.

A survey of 25 U.S. cities found that in 2000, families with children accounted for 36% of the homeless population (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2000).

Today, 39% of persons living in poverty are children; in fact, the poverty rate for children is almost twice as high as the poverty rate for any other age group (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1999).

Homelessness severely impacts the health and well-being of all family members. Children without a home are in fair or poor health twice as often as other children, and have higher rates of asthma, ear infections, stomach problems, and speech problems (Better Homes Fund, 1999). Homeless children also experience more mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression, and withdrawal. They are twice as likely to experience hunger, and four times as likely to have delayed development. These illnesses have potentially devastating consequences if not treated early. (By Jackie L. Culver MFA, MA).

Many parent(s) are unable to care for their children’s emotional needs during their families period of homelessness. At the time of most need, mental health services are not available to homeless families. According to a Department of Health and Human Services report from 1999, 20% of homeless families have no insurance at all and 73% have only what Medicaid will cover.

Homeless families with dependent children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. In 1998, families comprised 38% of the homeless population. On any given night, approximately 100,000 children slept in emergency shelters, abandoned buildings, or on the street. A majority of these children are age six or younger (Vanderbilt University).