The Annie E. Casey Foundation
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Pennsylvania

Statistics on children, youth and families in Pennsylvania from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

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Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children

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Homelessness - Number of Children in Pennsylvania

Homelessness - Number of Children

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Definition and Source

PROVIDER

Definition

The unique, unduplicated count of children and youth birth through grade 12 experiencing homelessness and served by Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Program.

Data Source

PA Department of Education, Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness Program

Notes

Over 1 million children ages birth to age six are currently experiencing homelessness in the United States, with nearly 26,000 of those children residing in Pennsylvania.[1] Homeless children and youth are defined as lacking a “fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence,” and include those who are living in hotels/motels, camping grounds, shelters, cars, public spaces, or abandoned at hospitals.[2] Infants, toddlers, and school-aged children have seen increases in homelessness over the past few years, most likely caused by increases in eviction rates, family stressors (abuse, neglect, and addiction), mental health issues, and job loss/unemployment. [3] In fact, children under age 3 are the most vulnerable when it comes to experiencing evictions from their homes and consequent homelessness. Research indicates that infants and toddlers are at an increased risk of eviction, and the younger and longer a child experiences homelessness, the more profound the cumulative impact on their health and well-being.[4] Homelessness negatively affects children by significantly hindering their physical, emotional, and cognitive development, with long-lasting consequences even after regaining stable housing.

[1] SchoolHouse Connection. (2023). Using Data to Advocate for Infants & Toddlers Experiencing Homelessness in Pennsylvania. https://schoolhouseconnection.org/webinar/using-data-to-advocate-for-infants-toddlers-experiencing-homelessness-in-pennsylvania

[2] National Center for Homeless Education. (2017). Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness: An Introduction to the Issues. McKinney-Vento Law into Practice Brief Series. https://cdnsm5-ss13.sharpschool.com/UserFiles/Servers/Server_32970243/File/Students%20&%20Families/Homeless%20Family%20Resources/mckinneyventointro.pdf

[3] SchoolHouse Connection. (2024). Infant and Toddler Homelessness Across 50 States: 2021-2022. https://schoolhouseconnection.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Infant-and-Toddler-Homelessness-Across-50-States-2021-2022.pdf

[4] SchoolHouse Connection. (2024). Op cit.

Last Updated

June 2025