A study found a lack of “housing is a huge stress for anyone.” However, “when children experience this, especially in early childhood, it can affect their health years down the line.” The Future of Families and Child Well-Being study found children “with any level of housing insecurity – low or high – had worse self-reported health at age 15 … They also reported worse mental health.” According to Healthy Steps National Director Rahil Briggs, the lack “of a safe and secure shelter creates ‘chronic and unrelenting’ stress for the parents or caregivers, which is then picked up by kids, as well.”