WASHINGTON, March 10 (Xinhua) -- One in 50 U.S. children is homeless, according to a report released here on Tuesday.

    The study conducted by the National Center on Family Homelessness estimates more than 1.5 million children, or 2 percent of the total, are without a home, based on data from 2005-06.

    "The number will grow as home foreclosures continue to rise," Ellen Bassuk, president of the center, said in a statement.

    Among other shocking findings, the study also shows 42 percent of homeless children are younger than 6 while most homeless children will not graduate from high school.

    "The consequences to our society will play out for decades," Bassuk said. "As we bail out the rest of our nation, it is also time to come to their aid."

    The study also offers policy recommendations for the government to address the issue, such as ensuring that children's schooling is not interrupted when they lose homes, and providing services to address the trauma of homelessness.