Children are remarkable in their ability to mitigate stress and respond with resilience, but stress still comes with consequences. Homeless children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of stress. Research has shown that stress is cumulative and builds up over time. Thus, a child who experiences daily hassles and small struggles may be more anxious, worried, or troubled than another child who experiences one major trauma (Berger 414). Stress is associated with high levels of cortisol, which are released by the hypothalamus of the brain. Cortisol is a response meant to help the brain and body react. Some stress can help with development, such as meeting new people or going to new places. However, in overwhelming amounts, cortisol can destroy part of the hippocampus and damage the brain permanently (Berger 251-253).

Homelessness can have negative, long-term impacts on children in the three domains of development. These include the biological/physical, cognitive, and psychosocial domains. The first domain of development, the biological domain, is one of the most obvious, surface-level problems with homelessness. Chronic stress can cause elevated blood pressure and heart rates, which can make the immune system more vulnerable (Thompson and Haskins 3).