Previous studies have revealed developmental problems in children of homeless families. The number of homeless families has increased by 5 in 10 years.

To estimate the adaptative behavior of homeless children aged 0-5 years old in Paris region and to analyze the impact of homelessness on children's development.

In 2013, a random survey was conducted among homeless families housed in emergency centres for asylum-seekers, emergency housing centres, social reinsertion centres and social hotels in the Paris region. A bilingual interviewer and a psychologist conducted the survey in 17 languages. A nurse took the anthropometric measures and collected health data from child health and immunization cards. For children aged 0-5 years old, mothers (or fathers when mothers were absent) were asked about the children's adaptative behavior using the Vineland Adaptative Behavior Scales, Second Edition (Vineland-II).

The built random sample consisted in 801 families including 557 in which the selected child was 0-5 years old, which represents 11448 children (95% CI = 10354 – 12541). The estimated mean of the composite score of Vineland-II is 76.98 (95% CI = 74.07 – 76.70) (SD = 12.03) which mean that 9259 children aged 0-5 years old (95% CI = 7684 – 10833) have a developmental delay. The most associated factor with the decrease of the Vineland-II score is the age (p<10-16) in the linear multivariate model.

ENFAMS survey reveals large developmental problems among homeless children in Paris region.More children are exposed to homelessness more the disorders are important.