Homelessness remains one of the country's most critical issues, with 495,000 households in California alone lacking access to affordable housing, according to the California Housing Partnership.

 

Family homelessness is especially troubling and often goes unnoticed, earning the label "invisible crisis" because parents and children hide to avoid losing custody. They may live in cars, unsafe motels, or temporarily stay with friends or family, making their plight less visible but no less urgent.