Creating A Foundation for Every Child to Support Success in School

Data
Written By The Furniture Project

Families moving out of homelessness or housing instability often enter homes that are empty. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it can impact their growth and development.

People often talk about education in terms of school supplies, technology and teacher quality. But one of the most critical factors influencing a child’s ability to learn starts at home with something as basic as a bed where a child can sleep or a table where they can study.

956 of the households The Furniture Project served in 2024 included children.

Families moving out of homelessness or housing instability often enter homes that are empty. They may not have beds to sleep in, tables to eat or study at and couches to rest on. In some of these cases, children are living, learning and sleeping on the floor. This isn’t just uncomfortable—it can impact their growth and development.

There is a growing amount of research focused on the impact that home furnishings have on child development, mental health and academic performance.

Children living in poverty get less sleep—and poor sleep hurts learning.

According to the CDC, 35% of people, including children, living below the poverty line get less than six hours of sleep a night, compared to just 28% of in higher-income households. This disparity is driven by physical environments more than schedules. Children without beds or quiet spaces to rest are significantly more likely to experience sleep deprivation, which directly affects memory, behavior and attention in school.

No bed often means less success at school.

Children who lack a proper bed are at higher risk of experiencing fatigue, difficulty concentrating and behavior challenges in the classroom.

Furniture helps children feel rested, safe, stable and ready to learn.

The American Society for the Positive Care of Children has reported that the design and comfort of the home environment, including its furnishings, are linked to mental health and emotional regulation in children. A home that feels safe and comfortable reduces stress, improves focus and supports healthy emotional development which are essential for academic success.

171 of the households we've served in 2025 included family stability/child welfare as a reason for referral. 

These findings tell us that a furnished home is not a luxury, it’s a foundation for human growth and development. It supports sleep, focus, stability and emotional well-being – all of which are vital for a child’s education. When we deliver furniture, we’re doing more than furnishing a space. We’re helping set a foundation for children get the rest, comfort and structure they need to learn and thrive in school and in life.

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The Furniture Project Awarded Omaha Community Foundation Refugee Community Grant Funds