Housing instability and homelessness-an undertreated pediatric chronic condition

Housing instability and its most severe form, homelessness, are prevalent throughout the US. Children are not spared and often caught in this crisis as part of families or unaccompanied youth. Housing instability should be considered a chronic illness, even in pediatrics, because of its detrimental effects on health and need for ongoing medical attention. Pediatricians may feel at a loss, unable to simply write a prescription for this underlying condition that exacerbates children’s chronic illnesses and hampers development. In this Viewpoint, we provide a background of pediatric housing instability and homelessness, discuss the significance of the Housing First model, with particular focus on children in families, and stress the importance of pediatricians becoming familiar with and addressing housing issues.