Over a 5-year period, about 2 - 3% of the U.S. population (5 -
8 million people) will experience at least one night of homelessness.
Nationally, there are approximately 750,000 people experiencing
homelessness on any given night.
People remain homeless an average of eight months. 23% are
chronically homeless.
Families with children are among the fastest growing segments of
the homeless population.
A study of 50 cities concluded that in every city, the official
estimated number of homeless greatly exceeds the number of emergency
shelter and transitional housing spaces.
Nearly half of the homeless people (44%) are unsheltered, or living
on the street.
Battered women who live in poverty are often forced to choose between
abusive relationships and homelessness.
Officials estimate that on average, single men comprise 51% of
the homeless popu-lation, families with children 30%, single women
17% and unaccompanied youth 2%.
Only 16% of homeless are considered mentally ill; 26% substance
abusers.
States with the highest rates of homelessness by percentage of
state population are District of Columbia, Alaska, California, Colorado,
Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington state.
Minimum wage earnings no longer lift families above the poverty
line.
Homeless children have twice the rate of learning disabilities
and three times the rate of emotional and behavioral problems of
non-homeless children.
