One in 50 US children is homeless, according to a report released in Washington on Tuesday.
The study conducted by the National Centre on Family Homelessness estimates more than 1.5 million children, or two per cent of the total, are without a home, based on data from 2005-06.
"The number will grow as home foreclosures continue to rise," Ellen Bassuk, President of the centre, said in a statement.
Among other shocking findings, the study also shows 42 per cent of homeless children are younger than six while most homeless children will not graduate from high school.
"The consequences to our society will play out for decades," Bassuk said. "As we bail out the rest of our nation, it is also time to come to their aid."
The study also offers policy recommendations for the government to address the issue, such as ensuring that children's schooling is not interrupted when they lose homes, and providing services to address the trauma of homelessness.