The children's TV show Sesame Street has introduced a new character – a homeless child. The show is tackling the issue of homelessness, via the new character – a 7-year-old girl called Lily. Her suffering is the same as that of over 2.5 million children in the USA and millions more around the world. A spokeswoman hoped Lily would reduce the shame linked to homelessness. She said she hoped Lily could help homeless children feel less alone.

The iconic, educational show started in 1969. It has a long history of highlighting social issues, like dealing with parents who are in prison, living with autism, and bullying. The spokeswoman said: "We know children experiencing homelessness are often caught up in a devastating cycle of trauma.…Those children may suffer due to poverty, domestic violence, or other trauma that caused them to lose their home."