Usually, mothers head the families. At least half of single homeless mothers report being domestic violence victims. As a group they are in need of parent education and skills development, education, job training, and life skills training. It is estimated that between 16 to 20 percent of homeless mothers are pregnant. Children Homeless children have a number of developmental, behavioral, and emotional problems due to instability in their lives.
Stability is central to growth and development.
Homeless children are more likely than other children to be at risk for emotional problems. They may be anxious, depressed, aggressive, dependent, and demanding. Homeless children also suffer from physical disorders, and developmental delays, including motor and language skills. For school-age homeless children, school attendance and performance is often sporadic, caused by frequent moves and changing schools. Shelters and Other Support Services Urgent needs typically include emergency food assistance and clothing, more so than for non-homeless poor families.