241. Single parent families are particularly at risk of poverty, with 40% of all children living in poverty in Australia coming from single-parent families.211 242. The Salvation Army’s National Economic and Social Impact Survey 2017212 surveyed the effects of poverty on 1,380 of its clients. It found that in households with children under 17 years of age: • approximately one in five could not afford medical treatment and nearly one in three could not afford a yearly dental check-up for their child • half could not afford school items and 56% did not have the money to participate in school activities • more than half (55%) could not afford a hobby or outside activities for their child • almost three in five respondents could not afford an internet connection for their child • nearly two in five could not afford fresh fruit or vegetables every day and nearly one in four could not afford three meals a day for their child. 243. Poor educational outcomes are a consequence of poverty. Children who are ‘deprived of food, clothes and other materials may reduce their engagement with school due to hunger, shame or being excluded or marginalised’.213 Recommendation 32: The Australian Government develops a national poverty reduction plan that explicitly focuses on children. (a) Child homelessness 244. Homelessness continues to be an issue that affects children in Australia. 245. According to the 2016 census, 15,872 (14%) children under the age of 12 years and 9,955 (9%) aged 12–18 years were homeless.214 246. Of homeless children under 12 years, 61% were living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings, followed by 26% living in supported accommodation.215 247. Similarly, most of the children in the 12–18 age bracket were living in 'severely' crowded dwellings (61%) or in supported accommodation for those homeless (26%). Seven per cent were staying temporarily with other households.216 42