A Safe, Stable Place to Call Home: Policy Implications and Next Steps to Address Family Homelessness

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of federal policy efforts in the USA to combat child and family homelessness. Policy-relevant findings from the five empirical pieces in the special issue are noted. Highlights include the importance of addressing: improved assessment practices at shelter entry; multiple perspectives in assessing child needs and tailoring interventions; parenting—and thus parenting interventions—as a mediator of child adaptation; the role of community collaborations between housing and family-serving agencies; and, the linkage of families to appropriate—and often scarce—services, including early childhood programs for families with young children. Policy and practice resources and recommendations are presented to guide future efforts to improve outcomes for children and families who experience or at risk for homelessness

Author Note

The authors express their appreciation to Amy Dworsky, Ph.D., Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, for comments on an earlier version of this chapter.