Research demonstrates a correlation between housing and child welfare involvement. In 2010, approximately 254,000 children entered the foster care system.

• A study in one California county found that 48% of infants entering foster care came from families with a history of homelessness.

• Numerous studies show that inadequate housing increases risk of entry into foster care, and delays the reunification of families from foster care.

• Some estimates are as high as 30% of the removals of children entering foster care could have been prevented if the families had adequate housing.

• A five year cohort study in Philadelphia found that 60% of children placed in foster care before the age of 5 had a mother who had experienced homelessness.

• A study in Milwaukee found that 29% of families attempting to reunify with their children had experienced homelessness within the previous year.

• In the adult homeless shelter population, approximately 25% report having experienced out of home placement as a child. Among youth shelters, between 15%-54% report having been in foster care.

Although the correlation between child welfare and inadequate housing/homelessness is poorly understood, it seems to exist in overlapping constructs. Child welfare systems would benefit from an understanding of how housing supports can help keep families together. Housing and homeless systems would benefit from an understanding of what service models and interventions will be most effective in sustaining safe and stable housing. Additional supports to address mental illness and/or substance abuse are also often necessary to improve outcomes for children and families in either system.

This meeting will bring together federal research staff, researchers, and philanthropic partners for a one-day working session to examine the current body of research on this topic, identify gaps in the research, and brainstorm about strategies for addressing those gaps.

This meeting is co-sponsored by HUD and HHS, and supported by Casey Family Programs.