In the early part of 1999, the Institute for Children and Poverty surveyed almost 2,000 families with more than 4,000 children in 24 locations to assess the state of homeless children across the United States. This report tells their story. Families account for almost 40% of U.S. homeless people, and in some cities that percentage is even higher. Homeless families with children are also the fastest growing segment of the population. In New York City, family homelessness has increased 500% over the past two decades, and in Denver, Colorado, the number of homeless children rose over 300%. The demand for emergency shelter has increased 50% overall since 1995, and 15% in the last year alone. The number of homeless children is higher than at any other time since the Depression. An appendix contains tables of data about homeless children in the United States and 24 urban areas and states. (Contains 15 figures and 43 tables.) (SLD)