Facts & Statistics About Homelessness- Family Gateway (2024)

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Facts & Statistics About Homelessness- Family Gateway? ›

1 in 30 American children experience homelessness. They live with or without their families, in shelters, cars and abandoned buildings. 51% of American children who experience homelessness are under age five. More than 2.5 million children are homeless each year in America.

Adults and children in families make up about 30 percent of the homeless population.

Related Statistics

HUD reports that on a single night in 2023, roughly 653,100 people in the U.S. experienced homelessness, up about 12 percent from 2022. The Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement reports the official poverty rate in 2022 was 11.5%, not statistically different from 2021.

The rising gap between income and affordable housing is a leading cause of homelessness.

Family homelessness accounts for 37% of the overall homeless population and 50% of the sheltered population. More than 90% of homeless mothers report they had been physically and/or sexually abused over their lifetimes. Housing is essential to ending homelessness, but it is not sufficient.

Nearly 28% of people experiencing homelessness in California are considered chronically homeless. According to 2019 estimates, the California homeless population is 65% male, 33.4% female, 1.2% transgender, and 0.4% are gender non-conforming.

As a result of loss of benefits, low wages, and unstable employment, many families struggle to get medical care, food, and housing. Many lose health insurance, despite continued Medicaid eligibility. Domestic violence also contributes to homelessness among families.

On a global scale, poverty is one of the most significant root causes of homelessness. Stagnant wages, unemployment, and high housing and healthcare costs all play into poverty. Being unable to afford essentials like housing, food, education, and more greatly increases a person's or family's risk.

Where is homeless the worst? ›

California continues to lead the nation in homelessness, with US data showing the state has the highest rate of unhoused people living outside in a worsening humanitarian crisis. The US has empty buildings it could use to tackle homelessness. Why is it selling them off?

Most research shows that around 1/3 of people who are homeless have problems with alcohol and/or drugs, and around 2/3 of these people have lifetime histories of drug or alcohol use disorders. According to SAMHSA, 38% of homeless people abused alcohol while 26% abused other drugs.

Hidden Homelessness

Since they lack access to housing support resources and cannot be identified, they are 'hidden' from national statistics on homelessness. People who experience hidden homelessness, often turn to friends, family, and neighbors for a shelter or a place of refuge.

The Problem

California has the largest homeless population in the nation. We build only a fraction of the affordable housing residents need.

The single greatest systemic cause of homelessness is a lack of affordable housing. A growing body of research has proven that it's this severe lack of housing affordability that is the greatest systemic cause of our homelessness crisis.

Consider lip balm, toothpaste, toothbrush, comb, razor, shaving cream, and deodorant. variety of services available to homeless men, women and families that they might not know about.

ADDICTION

68% of U.S. cities report that addiction is a their single largest cause of homelessness. * “Housing First” initiatives are well intentioned, but can be short-sighted. A formerly homeless addict is likely to return to homelessness unless they deal with the addiction.

Research shows that the trauma of experiencing homelessness can cause people to develop mental health problems for the first time and can worsen existing behavioral health challenges. Longer time spent without a home is linked to higher levels of mental distress and more damage from coping behaviors like substance use.