A surreal illustration depicting the fragility of a family facing eviction, with the shadow of a foster care system looming.

Eviction's Hidden Impact: How Losing Your Home Affects Kids

Avery Sinclair in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals the link between household evictions and the increased risk of children being placed in out-of-home care, highlighting the need for stronger family support systems."

The stability of a home is a cornerstone of well-being, especially for children. A secure home provides not only physical shelter but also a foundation for healthy development. However, events like eviction can disrupt this stability, leading to a cascade of negative consequences for families.

While the immediate challenges of eviction, such as finding new housing, are well-documented, the long-term effects on children are less understood. Eviction can create immense stress and instability within a family, potentially impacting a child's welfare and future.

Now, a new study sheds light on a concerning link: children from evicted households face a significantly higher risk of being placed in out-of-home care, such as foster care. This article explores the findings of this research, examining the factors that contribute to this increased risk and emphasizing the need for proactive interventions.

The Ripple Effect: Eviction and Out-of-Home Care

A surreal illustration depicting the fragility of a family facing eviction, with the shadow of a foster care system looming.

The study, conducted in Sweden, analyzed data from a large national database, comparing children from evicted households to a representative sample of the general population. Researchers tracked these children over time to see if they were placed in out-of-home care, which includes foster family or residential care.

The results revealed a stark disparity: children who experienced eviction had a significantly elevated risk of being placed in out-of-home care compared to their non-evicted peers. This increased risk persisted even after researchers accounted for various socioeconomic and psychosocial factors that often accompany eviction, such as parental unemployment, mental health issues, and substance abuse.

Initial Findings: Children from evicted homes were initially twelve times more likely to be placed in care.
Socioeconomic Factors: Adjusting for factors like parental education and social assistance reduced this, but the risk remained doubled.
Comparison Group: Even when compared to families facing eviction threats but not yet evicted, the risk was higher.

These findings underscore the profound impact of eviction on families and the potential for long-term consequences for children. While eviction is often viewed as a housing issue, this research demonstrates that it can trigger a series of events leading to family separation and involvement with child protective services.

Protecting Families: A Call to Action

This study serves as a critical reminder that eviction is not just a housing problem; it's a family problem with potentially devastating consequences for children. The increased risk of out-of-home care highlights the urgent need for proactive measures to support families facing housing instability.

The study emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying economic and psychosocial challenges that contribute to both eviction and family separation. By providing comprehensive support services, such as financial assistance, mental health counseling, and substance abuse treatment, communities can help families stay together and thrive.

Preventing eviction in the first place is crucial. Implementing policies that promote affordable housing, provide legal assistance to tenants facing eviction, and offer mediation services can help families avoid the trauma of losing their homes and the subsequent risk of child welfare involvement. By investing in these preventative measures, we can create stronger, more resilient families and communities.

About this Article -

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This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195295, Alternate LINK

Title: Evicted Children And Subsequent Placement In Out-Of-Home Care: A Cohort Study

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: PLOS ONE

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Authors: Lisa Berg, Lars Brännström

Published: 2018-04-18

Everything You Need To Know

What is the main finding regarding Eviction and its impact on children?

The connection between Eviction and the increased risk of children entering out-of-home care, such as foster care, is the primary focus. The research demonstrates that children from evicted households face a significantly higher risk of being placed in out-of-home care. This elevated risk persisted even after accounting for socioeconomic and psychosocial factors, like parental unemployment and mental health issues. This highlights that Eviction can be a trigger for family separation and involvement with child protective services.

Why is the link between Eviction and out-of-home care important?

The significance lies in the fact that a home provides stability, which is crucial for a child's development. Eviction disrupts this stability, leading to stress and potentially affecting the child's welfare. The study indicates that this disruption increases the risk of children being placed in out-of-home care. This connection underscores that Eviction is not solely a housing issue; it's a family issue with potentially severe consequences for children.

How was the study conducted to determine the connection between Eviction and out-of-home care?

The study, conducted in Sweden, analyzed data from a national database comparing children from Evicted households to a representative sample to assess their likelihood of being placed in out-of-home care. The initial findings showed children from Evicted homes were twelve times more likely to enter care. While socioeconomic factors reduced this, the risk remained doubled, highlighting Eviction's impact even when considering other challenges families face.

What are the reasons behind the increased risk of children being placed in out-of-home care due to Eviction?

Several factors contribute to the increased risk. Eviction itself creates instability, but it also often accompanies other challenges, such as parental unemployment, mental health issues, and substance abuse. While the study adjusted for these factors, the increased risk of out-of-home care persisted, indicating that Eviction has its own independent impact. This suggests that Eviction can trigger a sequence of events leading to family separation and involvement with child protective services.

What are the broader implications of this research on Eviction and children?

The implications of this research are significant. It emphasizes the need for proactive measures to support families facing housing instability. The findings highlight that Eviction is not just a housing problem but a family problem. This understanding calls for interventions and resources that address the root causes of Eviction and provide support to prevent family separation and involvement with child protective services.