What Are the Causes of Child Homelessness?

Child homelessness refers to children who suffer from family homelessness or who run away from home. Children who experience homelessness have no stable, consistent environment in which to stay. Children under the age of 6 account for 42 percent of the homeless in America, with up to 1.6 million youth considered homeless or a runaway, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty.

Home Violence

• Many homeless children have suffered from some form of violence within their home. More than 80 percent of homeless mothers with children suffered from domestic violence, as indicated by the NCCP. Abused women who feel forced between continuing to live in an abusive home or living homeless, flee with their children. Many homeless children have either witnessed or suffered from physical, emotional or sexual abuse.

Poverty

• Families who pay more than half their income for housing live in poverty. As a result, many families get behind in mortgage or rent payments. Homes may also be foreclosed. Trying to find an affordable living accommodation can place low income families in a bind. Many families have jobs with wages that don't support a family. Families placed in a position to pay for necessities such as utilities, health insurance, food and rent, fall short of their needs. This can contribute to homelessness amongst families with children.

Lack of Support

• Families with children, without a support network when their home situation becomes unstable, can become homeless. Assistance programs such as the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families can't meet expectations of many families, states the National Coalition for the Homeless. Children in foster care can also become homeless as a result of running away, reports the NCCP.

Other Factors

• Families whose breadwinner loses his job or suffers from an illness may lose their home. Some children rebel, and choose to separate themselves from their family and leave home. There may also be a breakdown of the family relationship. Severely mentally ill individuals with children or those with addictions may lose their homes.