The Data Dilemma in Family Homelessness.

Current estimates of homelessness in the U.S. are biased toward counts of sheltered or visibly unsheltered individuals. Those who remain out of sight during counts and/or live in places or circumstances that elude the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) definition of homelessness remain undercounted. Underreporting the unique characteristics associated with subgroups of people experiencing homelessness also limits access to the services that best meet their needs. As national counts drive policy and funding for housing-related services, front-line providers have too few resources to treat less visible and understood populations. We argue that homeless families are particularly vulnerable to these trends and explore how current data collection and reporting approaches thwart family homelessness interventions and prevention.