Many organizations help low-income families obtain and retain housing, but only a few help them turn their housing into functional homes. The result is a phenomenon that we’ve termed child bedlessness. Thousands of children in Greater Philadelphia have a bedroom but no bed. They sleep on the floor, on makeshift beds (sofas, air mattresses, etc.) or with their parents. Uncomfortable sleeping arrangements like these often cause poor sleep, which puts children at risk of developing a wide range of health problems as well as cognitive, academic and social-emotional impairments. Quite simply, children who don’t sleep well don’t function well. One House at a Time (OHAAT) is a nonprofit organization that is working to end child bedlessness through a program called Beds for Kids. The program provides beds, bedding and tools that encourage healthy bedtime habits, so children can get the quality sleep they need to thrive.
