By Jordon Tagaloa
In Portland and across the U.S., the face of homelessness is changing—and it looks younger than most people think.
It’s a common misconception that homelessness only affects single men or those battling addiction. But families—many with young children—now make up a significant portion of the unhoused population. In fact, nearly 1 in 3 people experiencing homelessness in the U.S. is part of a family with children. These aren’t just statistics. These are babies sleeping in cars, toddlers brushing their teeth in gas station sinks, and school-aged kids doing homework in emergency shelters or not at all.
Family homelessness is one of the most overlooked and dangerous forms of housing instability. It’s often less visible—families avoid street corners and encampments, hiding in motels, doubled-up situations, or unsafe temporary arrangements. But invisibility doesn’t equal safety. It means isolation, trauma, and a long-term impact that can follow children into adulthood.
What the Numbers Show
In 2023, HUD reported over 180,000 individuals in families with children experiencing homelessness nationwide. In Oregon, the number of homeless students identified by public schools was over 22,000, many of whom lacked consistent shelter throughout the year. This doesn’t even count infants and toddlers too young to be enrolled in school.
Compared to 10 years ago, these numbers have risen significantly, particularly in urban areas like Portland, where rent prices have outpaced wages and affordable housing options have shrunk. More families are just one paycheck, one eviction, or one emergency away from losing it all.
The Systems Meant to Help Are Falling Short
What makes family homelessness especially painful is the collapse of the systems designed to prevent it. The child welfare system, public housing, healthcare, education, and social services are all stretched thin—and when they don’t work together, families fall through the cracks.
In many cases, parents are doing everything right: working full-time, applying for housing, getting their kids to school. But a two-bedroom apartment in Portland now averages over $1,800/month. Childcare can cost nearly the same. Affordable housing vouchers have years-long waitlists. In other words, the “safety net” isn’t failing—it’s been cut to pieces.
Why This Matters—Now
Children who experience homelessness are more likely to suffer from developmental delays, depression, anxiety, and academic struggles. They’re more likely to become homeless as adults. And the longer a child remains unhoused, the harder it is to break the cycle.
This isn’t just a housing issue—it’s a public health crisis and a social justice issue. Black, Indigenous, and Latino families are disproportionately affected. LGBTQ+ parents face additional discrimination. And mothers—especially single mothers—carry the brunt of the weight.
What Can Be Done
We need a coordinated, trauma-informed approach to supporting families. That means:
Rapid re-housing with priority given to families with children
Expanded emergency shelter that is child-friendly, safe, and stable
Integrated services across housing, education, and healthcare systems
Long-term investments in affordable housing near schools and public transportation
Successful models already exist. In Salt Lake County, Utah, a family-focused housing initiative cut family homelessness by over 40% in just a few years. In New York City, the “Homebase” program connects at-risk families to services before they even lose their housing—saving money and lives.
Final Thought
Family homelessness shouldn’t be normal. It shouldn’t be invisible. And it definitely shouldn’t be acceptable in a country with this much wealth and potential.
If we want to invest in the future, we need to start by making sure every child has a stable place to sleep. Because nowhere to live means nowhere to grow.
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