February 4, 2026
WASHINGTON — Homelessness and housing instability during pregnancy or in the first three years of a child’s life has lifelong consequences on physical health, development, and mental well-being.
That’s why Thrive from the Start – a new network of leading organizations across the early childhood, housing, homelessness, health, and child welfare sectors – is encouraged to see modest investments by Congress’s passage of the final FY2026 funding package. At a time when families with young children continue to face homelessness and economic pressure, sustained federal investments remain critical to helping children and families meet their needs and thrive.
Federal investments targeted to families with infants and toddlers are both essential and cost-effective. Approximately 450,000 infants and toddlers experience homelessness each year, and nearly 70,000 babies are born to parents who experienced homelessness during pregnancy. These early disruptions are associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and child health outcomes and later learning challenges. Early support reduces the need for more intensive, expensive interventions down the road, and strengthens communities and the economy.
We are encouraged to see continued funding for key programs, including the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Head Start and Early Head Start, the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five program, Early Intervention (IDEA Part C), HUD Homeless Assistance Grants, Tenant and Project-Based Rental Assistance, the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act programs, and the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program. While need outpaces demand for these programs, the enacted investments help families access child care, early development, housing supports, and pathways to education and economic mobility. We also recognize the importance of nutrition supports, such as WIC and SNAP, which were funded in earlier legislation and are foundational to the health and development of infants, toddlers, and expectant parents.
As Congress moves ahead on FY2027 appropriations and legislative efforts, Thrive from the Start urges Congress to build on the bipartisan FY2026 investments to ensure families with young children can access safe shelter and stable housing, quality early care and education, prenatal and other quality health care, and other essential supports. We stand ready to work with policymakers to advance practical, evidence-based solutions that ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very start.
Alongside the five TFTS co-leads, the following organizations contributed to this statement: Children’s HealthWatch, Family Promise, National Network for Youth, and New America Higher Education Policy Program
##
About Thrive from the Start:
Thrive from the Start brings together leaders from across the early childhood, housing, homelessness, health and child welfare systems dedicated to ensuring all expectant parents, infants, toddlers, and their families have the resources and opportunities to thrive. Thrive from the Start partners include ZERO TO THREE, SchoolHouse Connection, Prevent Child Abuse America, Housing Is, and the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers. Learn more about Thrive From the Start’s federal policy agenda focused on solving PN-3 homelessness and housing instability and our work to build a growing network of organizations committed to cross-sector solutions for a coordinated, holistic support system at https://thrivefromthestart.org/.
About ZERO TO THREE
ZERO TO THREE works to ensure all babies and toddlers benefit from the family and community connections critical to their well-being and development. Since 1977, the organization has advanced the proven power of nurturing relationships by transforming the science of early childhood into helpful resources, practical tools, and responsive policies for millions of parents, professionals and policymakers. For timely expert insights on the latest developments in early childhood, from policy changes to research breakthroughs and what they mean for babies and families, check out our Behind the Headlines series. For more information, please visit zerotothree.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads, Facebook and X.
About Housing Is
Housing Is helps build a future where sectors work together to improve life outcomes. Based on the premise that housing stability is the critical foundation for low-income individuals and families and sectors can better meet needs through collaboration, Housing Is establishes, broadens, and deepens efforts to align affordable housing, education, and health systems to produce positive, long-term results. Learn more at housingis.org and on LinkedIn.
About the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers
The National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT) brings together more than 500 organizations across the country to ensure every child – from prenatal to age three – has the foundation to thrive. We work alongside advocates in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., advancing policies that support infants, toddlers and their families while maximizing public investments at the community, state, federal and tribal levels. By uniting diverse voices and proven strategies, NCIT helps drive solutions that improve outcomes for children and families, strengthen the economy, and build more prosperous communities for all. Connect with us at ncit.org, Facebook, Instagram, or X.
About Prevent Child Abuse America:
Prevent Child Abuse America is the nation’s oldest and largest nonprofit organization dedicated to the primary prevention of child abuse and neglect. Our mission is to prevent the abuse and neglect of our nation’s children by fostering an ecosystem of support that empowers and strengthens families. This ecosystem is designed to prevent child abuse before it starts, ensuring that all children and families can lead purposeful, happy lives filled with hope for the future.
About SchoolHouse Connection
SchoolHouse Connection is a national non-profit organization working to overcome homelessness through early care and education. We provide strategic policy advocacy and practical assistance in partnership with early childhood programs, schools, institutions of higher education, service providers, families, and youth. We publish an annual 50-state report on infant and toddlers experiencing homelessness and host a national family shelter community of practice. For more information, please visit schoolhouseconnection.org or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.