Family Homelessness: A Growing and Urgent Issue

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Note: We are currently in the process of updating the data in this section to reflect the most recent findings from local and statewide sources, including the Athens Wellbeing Project and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

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Family homelessness remains a significant and growing issue across Georgia and the United States. While homelessness is often associated with individuals, entire families—especially those with children—are increasingly at risk due to a combination of economic instability, lack of affordable housing, and gaps in the social safety net.

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In Georgia, more than 40,000 students were identified as experiencing homelessness during the most recent academic year, according to the Georgia Department of Education. In addition, over 13,000 children age 0-3 were identified through the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. These children face not only instability in housing but also disruptions in their education, health care, and emotional well-being.

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Furthermore, data from the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shows that nearly 20% of children entering foster care were removed from their families in part due to inadequate or unstable housing. This highlights how housing insecurity contributes to the separation of families and can have long-term consequences for children's development and stability.

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Family homelessness is not simply a result of individual choices—it is a systemic issue rooted in economic inequality, limited access to mental health and substance use treatment, unaffordable housing markets, and underfunded support systems. Addressing it requires a coordinated, community-wide response, including prevention efforts, expanded access to affordable housing, wraparound services, and stronger partnerships between social service agencies, schools, nonprofits, and local government.

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As we continue to gather updated local data, our focus remains on raising awareness of this issue and building collaborative strategies to ensure that every family in Athens-Clarke County has access to safe, stable housing and the resources they need to thrive. For resources on how to support kids and their parents experiencing homelessness, please visit our resource pages.

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