The number of homeless people has increased in Sweden. More and more families with children are turning to thesocial services for help but are referred to temporary and short-term emergency assistance. The reason for this isthat they are defned as structurally homeless and are consequently not considered to be part of the target group forsocial services. Based on on-going and up-to-date research, we highlight examples of how diferent municipalitieshandle this problem. Furthermore, we highlight the consequences for children’s health, well-being and life chances.We also discuss the shortcomings which we see in the Swedish system and what needs to be changed in order forchildren to be insured the right to a safe home in the future.