The study examined causes of family homelessness in 10 major Canadian centers, with all but one reporting it to be a growing problem. Homeless families are a diverse group, but the most overwhelming common thread was that 80% of the families studied were headed by young single mothers between the ages of 26 and 29. Solutions must address the root causes of the problem, which are primarily a lack of affordable housing, inadequate incomes and family violence. A very worrisome issue is the trend of homelessness to be carried forward in subsequent generations. (Author)