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Can unstable housing harm a child like other major traumas? Psychologists wanted to know if frequent moves, evictions, or homelessness during early childhood should count as Adverse Childhood Experiences like abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. 

Researchers studied 231 parents with children under 6 years old who were staying in shelters or temporary housing. Parents completed surveys on their child’s behavior, mental health, and their housing history. 

Results? Over 70% of children had moved two or more times, and nearly 50% had experienced homelessness more than once. More than half of the children had delays in social-emotional development. Kids exposed to unstable housing were also more likely to face other serious hardships – 58% had been separated from a caregiver, and 48% had witnessed violence. The more episodes of homelessness they had, the more emotional and behavioral problems they showed.   

Unstable housing is more than just a temporary problem; it’s a major risk factor for young children’s mental health. Housing instability should be treated as an Adverse Childhood Experience. Safe, stable homes aren’t just about comfort, they’re critical to healthy development and lifelong well-being.