Child homelessness hits record high, survey finds

An alarming number of children in the U.S. were homeless at some point last year. According to the latest report from the National Center on Family Homelessness, the issue hit a record high - 2.5 million children, or 1 in every 30.

The report, based on school and census data, cited an 8 percent increase nationally in the number of children experiencing homelessness. It increased in 31 states, including New Jersey, and the District of Columbia from 2012 to 2013.

More than half of the kids without a home were under the age of 6, according to Dr. Carmela DeCandia, director of the National Center on Family Homelessness.

"Child homelessness has reached epidemic proportions," DeCandia said, noting the majority of suffering kids are receiving care from only a single mother.

The report pointed to the nation's high poverty rate, a lack of affordable housing and lingering impacts of the Great Recession as major causes for homelessness among children.

DeCandia said "wage disparity" is another primary reason, especially in New Jersey, where there's too much of a difference between income and the cost of a two-bedroom apartment.

Despite a spike in the number of homeless children since the last report, New Jersey ranked among the top five states for overall performance. The Garden State scored high for child well-being and the number of homeless children compared to the total population, but scored lower for the risk of child homelessness and poor planning on the state level.

According to the report, homelessness has far-reaching impacts on children's lives. Many times, they end up struggling in school, and they are no stranger to hunger and illness.

"They lose their sense of place. They lose their community. Their families can be split up," DeCandia said. "When kids become homeless, they lose much more than a home."