History and Background:

Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. In Minnesota, the number of families in temporary shelter tripled from 1991 to 2003, according to the Wilder Foundation. Many homeless families also experience extreme poverty, mental illness or chemical dependency, and family violence. The children of these families constitute one of the most vulnerable populations in the country. Without immediate intervention, they are at great risk of out-of-home placements, poor school achievement, and homelessness as adults.