Children and Homelessness
Why a Safe Start Matters
A child’s future begins long before their first day of school.
The earliest years of life are when the brain develops faster than at any other time. During pregnancy and early childhood, children form the neurological and emotional foundations that shape learning, health, behaviour, and relationships for the rest of their lives.
For babies and young children, stability matters.
A safe place to sleep.
Consistent daily routines.
A caregiver who is supported and not overwhelmed by crisis.
When these conditions are present, children have the foundation they need to grow and thrive.
When families experience housing instability, that foundation can quickly be shaken.
Across communities like Waterloo Region, rising housing costs and limited affordable housing are making it increasingly difficult for vulnerable families to find stable homes. For pregnant women and mothers with young children, this instability can create immediate risks for both mother and baby.
Housing instability during early childhood is not simply a housing issue. It is a child development issue.
The First Four Years Shape a Lifetime
From pregnancy through a child’s fourth birthday, the brain develops at an extraordinary pace. During this time more than one million neural connections form every second. These connections shape how children learn, manage emotions, respond to stress, and build relationships throughout their lives.
Because babies and young children depend entirely on the stability of their environment, disruptions during this critical period can have lasting effects.
When families are moving frequently, living in overcrowded conditions, or uncertain about where they will sleep next, the stress of that instability affects both mother and child.
Research shows that chronic stress during pregnancy and early childhood can influence brain development and long term wellbeing. Children who experience instability during these formative years are more likely to face challenges related to learning, emotional regulation, and physical health later in life.
The earliest years of life are when children are most vulnerable, but they are also when intervention can make the greatest difference.
Why Early Stability Matters
In one national study, 78% of those who first became homeless as children were already chronically homeless when surveyed.
More than one million neural connections form every second during early brain development.
The first four years of life represent the most important period for brain development and emotional growth.
Providing stability during early childhood significantly improves long term outcomes for children.
Breaking the Cycle Before It Begins
Preventing homelessness during early childhood is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle.
This is where Marillac Place plays a vital role.
Marillac Place is the only 24 hour staffed transitional shelter in Waterloo Region dedicated exclusively to pregnant women and mothers with children under the age of two, regardless of their age, race, or the circumstances that led to their experience of homelessness.
Families receive housing, parenting guidance, mental health support, life skills development, and support securing stable housing after leaving the program.
This stability allows mothers to focus on rebuilding their lives while their babies experience the safety and nurturing environment every child needs.
Helping Children Start Life Safely
Housing instability during early childhood has long term consequences, but it is also preventable.
With the right support at the right time, families can rebuild their lives and children can grow up in safe and stable homes.
When you support Marillac Place, you are helping ensure that no baby starts life homeless.