ICPH’s new report, Beyond a Place to Stay: What Makes a High-Quality Family Shelter for Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness, examines the characteristics of high-quality family shelters through provider perspectives and existing research. Providers pointed to the importance of permanent housing, child and family-centered programming, supportive staff, and environments that promote dignity and autonomy.

Shelter can be a critical source of safety, stability, and support during a time of profound disruption. The experience shapes family well-being, children's development, and a family's path to permanent housing.

Across the country, providers have developed thoughtful and innovative approaches to meeting these needs, drawing on years of experience working directly with children and caregivers. This report helps bring those perspectives together and highlights the practices that providers view as important.

Reading Between the Numbers: Limits of the 2025 PIT for Families Experiencing Homelessness

June 8, 2026



The latest federal estimates suggest family homelessness is declining, but the numbers deserve a closer look. This blog examines the limits of Point-in-Time counts and why accurate data matters for children, caregivers, and the systems that serve them.

Coverage of the Crisis: News Coverage of Family Homelessness in NYC

June 3, 2026

This brief looks at what policy issues are tied to family homelessness in New York City and what gets left out in media coverage.

Undercounted and Underserved? Students Experiencing Homelessness in the U.S.

April 30, 2026

As a new school year starts, it is important to reflect on how the number of students experiencing homelessness are reported. This report looks at one possible way to identify more students experiencing homelessness.

Restoring Dignity

August 17, 2026

Volunteers of America-Greater New York’s new report explores how shelter environments can affect people who have experienced trauma. The report identifies key needs that shelters can address, including dignity and self-esteem; empowerment and personal control; security and privacy; stress management; community; and beauty and meaning.

See you next week at the National Women's Shelter Network (NWSN) Conference, in Tucson Arizona! We're looking forward to connecting with providers, advocates, and researchers from across the country, hearing about the challenges and innovations shaping the field, and strengthening relationships across the network. Stop by ICPH Exhibit Table 1 or one of the sessions featuring ICPH or Homes for the Homeless (HFH).

Tell us what topics you would like us to cover and email us at INFO@ICPH.org to share your latest research, webinars, resources, or stories—we may highlight it in a future newsletter.

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