摘要：Family homelessness emerged as a major social and public health problem in the United States during the 1980s. We reviewed the literature, including journal articles, news stories, and government reports, that described conditions associated with family homelessness, the scope of the problem, and the health and mental health of homeless children and families. Much of this literature was published during the 1980s and 1990s. This raises questions about its continued applicability for the public health community. We concluded that descriptions of the economic conditions and public policies associated with family homelessness are still relevant; however, the homeless family population has changed over time. Family homelessness has become more prevalent and pervasive among poor and low-income families. We provide public health recommendations for these homeless families. Family homelessness emerged as a major social and public health problem in the 1980s for the first time since the Great Depression. 1 The dramatic increase in child and family homelessness was accompanied by intense interest in the popular media and articles published in peer-reviewed journals. Although the number of homeless families and children has steadily increased over time, attention to the issue, as indicated by articles in peer-reviewed journals, government reports, and news stories, has diminished. We reviewed the literature that described the conditions associated with family homelessness in the United States, the scope of the problem, and what is known about the health and mental health of homeless children and families. A preponderance of available studies describing the economic conditions that fueled the increase in family homelessness, the characteristics of homeless children and families, and the impact of homelessness on children were published during the 1980s and 1990s. This raised the questions: “Does this literature on homeless children and families still accurately reflect family homelessness 25 years later?” If not, “What changes should be noted to ensure that the public health community will have the information needed to effectively address the continuing problem of family homelessness?” We concluded this review with recommendations for the public health community.
