Report: 2.5 Percent of Infants and Toddlers Are Unhoused

A report from SchoolHouse Connections highlights a growing crisis, the rise in homelessness among American infants and toddlers. “This is a first-of-its-kind, in-depth snapshot of data on infant and toddler homelessness in each of the 50 states, as well as nationally. These data profiles are intended to create greater awareness of the prevalence of infant and toddler homelessness, and gaps in access to early childhood development programs. ”

According to the analysis, “364,390 birth through age three year olds experienced homelessness across the United States during the 2021-2022 program year, representing approximately 2.5% of the entire birth through age three population.” Of these children, only 11 percent were enrolled in an early childhood development program.

The report also notes that only 26 states waive child care program copayments for families experiencing homelessness, and just 18 provide automatic or streamlined eligibility for unhoused children.