However, few shelters offered child care services. This hampered a parent's ability to go on job interviews, find housing, and perform other activities. When asked why they became homeless, the reason most often cited was family problems, named by 47 percent. Other reasons were eviction, domestic violence, and job loss. Drug abuse was a significant contributing factor to homelessness, with 25 percent of the directors stating that most of their residents abused drugs.
Families find their way into shelters in a variety of ways.
Most are directed to a referral agency which matches families with shelters. This caused 10 percent of the families to be separated from at least one member during their shelter stay. This was among several rules shelter residents must abide by. All shelters in the study had published rules, and some means of ensuring each family was aware of them. Violations which could lead to expulsion from the shelter included violence towards residents or staff, intoxication, drug use, possession of weapons, and leaving children unattended.