From birth through age three, a child’s brain is developing at a rate of one million neural connections per second. Tragically, an increasing number of infants and toddlers go through this crucial developmental period without a home – an experience that jeopardizes their health, development, and future. This report analyzes federal and other available data to estimate how many infants and toddlers experienced homelessness in 2021, both nationally and in each state; the percentage of these infants and toddlers who are enrolled in age-eligible early childhood development programs during the 2021-2022 program year; and the extent to which state policies remove barriers to programs and services for children and families experiencing homelessness. It represents the most comprehensive look to date at homelessness among infants and toddlers, and is the first state-by-state collection of data on infant and toddler homelessness. The report also provides recommendations for state and federal action.
Infant & Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022
Type: Report
Topic(s): Housing and Homelessness
Year: 2024