Homelessness by the Numbers
Published October 06, 2008 @ 09:20PM PT
Counting the number of homeless people in the United States is methodologically challenging and highly political. Challenging because it's difficult to find a population who is, by definition, without a permanent place of being, and political because of the inherent flaws and limitations in an effort to count this fluid population. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the limitations include definitional issues, finding homeless people, data collection and enumeration efforts, de-duplicating, and differing time frames.
These numbers are derived from the Third Annual Homeless Assessment Report (presented to Congress in July 2008). The numbers are based on two data sources, including findings from "point-in-time" counts conducted across the US during a single night in January 2007, and data from the national database tracking sheltered homeless persons, including the numbers, characteristics, and patterns, over a 12-month period.
The following graphs represent some key findings from this HUD report to Congress.
Sheltered vs. Unsheltered (From 2007 Point-In-Time County)
Given that this data was collected in January, it's troubling to see that 44% of the homeless population was found literally sleeping on the streets. This may imply a lack of capacity in the emergency shelter system.
Self-Identified Causes of Homelessness
Homeless families (blue) and individuals (red) were asked to identify any of the key factors leading to their homelessness. According to this study, the major factors affecting homeless families were poverty and a lack of affordable housing. For individuals, poverty, substance abuse, and mental illness were the major issues.
Night Prior to Shelter: Where Did the Homeless Stay?
To break down these categories even more:
Already homeless - 43%
- Place not meant for human habitation - 15%
- Emergency Shelter or Transitional Housing - 28%
Housing - 37%
- Rented or Owned Housing - 12%
- Staying with Family or Friends - 24%
Other Situations - 20%
- Psychiatric facility, substance abuse center, or hospital - 7%
- Jail, prison, or juvenile detention - 5%
- Hotel, motel, or foster care home - 9%
Homelessness by the Numbers
The number of homeless people counted on one night in January 2007
The number of people estimated to have experienced homelessness in 2007
Percent of the homeless population that is considered "chronically homeless"
- Sheltered Chronically Homeless - 6%
- Unsheltered Chronically Homeless - 12%
A chronically homeless person is defined as an unaccompanied homeless individual with a disabling condition who has either been continuously homeless for a year or more or has had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Although this population makes up 10-20% of the homeless population, they use up to 50% of the services provided to the homeless in a given year. (HUD - 2007 Homeless Assessment Report)
Percent of the homeless population are families and children in a given year
Families with children are widespread across the urban, suburban, and rural areas. Convergent sources indicate they are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Homeless families sleep in shelters, cars, abandoned buildings, motels and doubled-up with families and friends. The vast majority of these families are homeless due to poverty and a lack of permanent housing. (National Alliance to End Homelessness)
Percent of families are homeless due to domestic violence
For the majority of single women, domestic violence is the most proximate cause of homelessness. Due to a lack of affordable housing, many families fleeing abuse are forced to choose between staying with their abuser and sleeping on the street. An estimated 29% of requests for shelter by homeless families were denied in 2006 due to lack of resources (U.S. Conference of Mayors, 2006).
Percent of the homeless people are children under 18 (5% are unaccompanied youth)
Researchers estimate that between 4-7% of youth will experience homelessness before their 18th birthday. Homelessness takes a toll on young children. For example, a child who has experienced homelessness experiences post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at twice the rate of returning war veterans.
Percent of homeless people suffer from mental health issues
Percent of homeless population suffers from severe and persistent mental illness
Mental health issues become exacerbated by living on the streets or in shelters. Health and mental ailments become even more difficult to diagnose and treat without residential stability. Only 5-7% of homeless persons with mental illness require institutionalization, most can live in the community with proper medication and supportive housing options. (Federal Task Force on Homelessness and Severe Mental Illness)
Percent of the homeless population struggle with substance abuse
The relationship between homelessness and alcohol and drug abuse is a controversial one. Most people do not become homeless because of their addiction. Rather, addiction issues often arise while people are experiencing homelessness.
Percent of homeless adults are veterans
Although the homeless veteran population comes from all conflicts, research indicates that those who served in late-Vietnam and post-Vietnam era are at greatest risk of becoming homeless. While many believe that veterans are more likely to suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues, in fact they are often afflicted by same factors affecting other homeless adults - poverty, a lack of affordable housing, and individual characteristics. (National Alliance to End Homelessness)
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Comments (6)
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Author
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Shannon has worked in homeless shelters and service organizations in San Francisco, the Triangle region of North Carolina, and currently in the greater Boston area. She is a graduate student studying housing and urban policy at Tufts University.
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I have sent letters to 3 Presidents spelling out how we as a country can end most of the Homelessness in the USA.
Posted by Walter Stewart on 02/02/2009 @ 09:00AM PT
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I would like to start a help the homeless campaign in Charlotte, NC. I visited a homeless person that my family helped get off the street and into a Men's shelter on Sunday. I was totally appalled at the facility, it is in dire straits. It to me, was like a cattle call for humans.
With all the military bases that have closed, there is no reason our country cannot use those facilities as permanent housing for the Homeless and less fortunate. The bases are all self sufficient in all aspects for a normal life, for individuals and familes. The McKenny Act stated that these facilities should be used for that purpose.
Below is article:
Since the passage of the McKinney Act in 1987, the McKinney Act programs have been expanded, and funding has significantly increased. However, McKinney programs have suffered setbacks in recent years. These programs now face new challenges as homelessness persists unabated across the country.
Title V of the McKinney Act imposes requirements on federal agencies to identify and make available surplus federal property, such as buildings and land, for use by states, local governments, and nonprofit agencies to assist homeless people.Onward, let's make this work!W
Posted by Walter Stewart on 02/02/2009 @ 09:24AM PT
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I have sent this letter to 3 standing Presidents and 2 Presidentual Candidates over the past, 12 years. No replies, so far!
Mr. President, as you know we have thousands and thousands of homeless people living in the streets and shelters in this great country of ours. It has become a really serious problem, since many of these people are working taxpayers and cannot afford proper housing and accommodations for their families. It is not necessary for these people to have to live like this in such a prosperous country.
One solution to this particular problem, Sir, has been on my mind and in my heart for quite sometime. As someone who has proudly served in the Military I strongly feel that although my proposed idea is not the answer to all homelessness, but certainly would make a great impact. This solution is that; the United States Government would use some of the closed military bases as homes for the less fortunate homeless families. Having been in the military myself, I have seen that these facilities are totally self-sufficient. The homeless could come from any location in the USA, just as military personnel do. Jobs could be created on these bases. There are schools, churches, shopping facilities, hospitals and acreage for farming that could provide some of the food for these residents. If the bases are not kept up appropriately all that green space, wonderful trees, land and such will also be affected. Everything that's needed to live in a comfortable and more suitable environment is certainly available there. This could also help the economy, which has been affected terribly around the areas where the bases have been closed.
As taxpayers, we pay for these facilities and the upkeep of these properties, as they should be put to good use to help solve this awful epidemic, as the homelessness in this country is an epidemic. Private sector could get involved as well! This is truly a win-win situation for everyone, especially the homeless families in America, "the land of the free and the home of the brave."
As the homeless stand idly by watching our country send billions of dollars to build and rebuild homes for citizens in other countries, I can only imagine how they feel and how it affects their lives and their opinions of our country.
I probably am not the first person to think of this proposal; however, since the homeless situation is such a major problem in such a great country, I know and feel, that I should do my part to help by planting this seed as this total action has not been taken to date at all to my knowledge.
You are the one person that is in a position to initiate a solution to a very serious problem. So please give this some thought and let's make a difference in the lives of the less fortunate!
PS Since the passage of the McKinney Act in 1987, the McKinney Act programs have been expanded, and funding has significantly increased. However, McKinney programs have suffered setbacks in recent years. These programs now face new challenges as homelessness persists unabated across the country.
Title V of the McKinney Act imposes requirements on federal a gencies to identify and make available surplus federal property, such as buildings and land, for use by states, local governments, and nonprofit agencies to assist homeless people.
Posted by Walter Stewart on 02/14/2009 @ 09:01AM PT
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It's alarming that homeless in some part of the world is really increase. That's why Aaron Boone still bless although he have heart ailments, he still can be cured since he have enough money and home to stay on? Aaron Boone is a great athlete of baseball and might be a future Hall of Famer. That's why it's so sad to hear news that he will be going under open-heart surgery. He is the Houston Astro first or third basemen will be undergoing a surgical procedure on his aortic valve to correct a problem he's had for several years and it was just recently when the doctor recommend to have such open-heart surgery to secure his safety. Among his many accomplishments was a game winning home run in Game 7 of the ALCS to put the Yankees into the World Series, and he was selected for the AL All Star team. Let us hope it is a successful procedure and a speedy recovery for Aaron Boone. Gee, I just hope he will survive this heart surgery in order for him to continue give pride to his Houston people.
Posted by ConnorX Xee on 03/24/2009 @ 11:01PM PT
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Here is a flyer I sent to the moyor of New York City and also to Barack Obama before he became president. I received no response, although I didn't expect one. I would, however, be interested in knowing what others out there think of the idea of "sleep stamps."
Joan Harrison
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HOMELESS PEOPLE, RISE UP!
SLEEP IS A BIOLOGICAL NECESSITY AND THEREFORE A HUMAN RIGHT. SLEEP DEPRIVATION IS A RECOGNIZED FORM OF TORTURE.
HUNGRY AMERICANS WHO CANNOT AFFORD FOOD ARE GIVEN FOOD STAMPS IMMEDIATELY. YET WE WHO CANNOT AFFORD A NIGHT’S SLEEP ARE DENIED CLEAN, PRIVATE BEDS!
THOUGH THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, AND ECONOMIC REPERCUSSIONS OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ARE WELL KNOWN, MERELY FOR SLEEPING WE ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO HARASSMENT BY POLICE—FORCED TO SIT UP AROUND THE CLOCK OR TO KEEP WALKING.
WHILE SOME PLACES, EVEN IN NEW YORK STATE, PROVIDE PRIVATE ROOMS ALONG WITH FOOD STAMPS, HERE THE CITY SHELTERS ARE A KNOWN ABOMINATION—WITH THEIR CROWDING, SQUALOR, BEDBUGS, AND DICTATING BY FEAR—AND THE DROP IN CENTERS, SIMILARLY DEGRADING, OFFER ONLY HARD CHAIRS FOR SLEEP.
WE WHO ARE DESTITUTE—WE TOO HAVE A RIGHT NOT TO HAVE OUR DIGNITY OUTRAGED!
DEMAND AN END TO THE ABUSE, AN END TO THE WASTING OF LIVES, AN END TO BACKWARD SOCIAL PROGRAMS! DEMAND A CLEAN, PRIVATE BED FOR EVERY HOMELESS PERSON! DEMAND SLEEP STAMPS ON THE MODEL OF FOOD STAMPS!
Posted by joan harrison on 03/31/2009 @ 07:34AM PT
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I live in Alberta, the richest of Canadian provinces and we have homelessness too. Is the problem the capitalistic system in general ... where everything costs more and more all the time, taxation is cutting disposable incomes to the point where its just not worth working for the man. A basic apartment is running $1200 - $1500 a month. Minimum wage is too low. Home ownership is almost out of reach for the majority. Half a million dollars for a three bedroom home is an outrageous price - the filthy bankers and taxers at all levels are the main beneficiaries of this inflated society. The average man has less buying power than their parents did. Its no wonder we have homelessness everywhere.
Posted by CHRIS HOOYMANS on 04/09/2009 @ 12:27PM PT
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