General Homelessness Facts

US Department of Housing & Urban Development Definition of Homelessness:

The term "homeless" or "homeless individual or homeless person" includes -

an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence; and
an individual who has a primary nighttime residence that is -
- a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designed to provide temporary living accommodations (including welfare hotels, congregate shelters, and transitional housing for the mentally ill);
- an institution that provides a temporary residence for individuals intended to be institutionalized; or
- a public or private place not designed for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.

How large is the homeless population in the United States?

As of 2007, the last documented point-in-time homeless count, there were over 671,000 individuals homeless in America on any given night. Moreover, over 1.6 million individuals experienced homelessness at some point during that year. Put another way - 1 in every 200 persons in the United States experienced homelessness in 2007.

Do homeless individuals get enough to eat?

28% of homeless individuals report that they sometimes or often do not get enough to eat
Only 39 % get enough of the kinds of food they want to eat
Other food problems experienced by homeless individuals include:
- Usually eating one meal a day or less (20%);
- Being hungry in the past 30 days but not eating because one couldn't afford to (39%); and
- 40% going a whole day without eating anything at all in the last 30 days

What proportion of homeless individuals have problems with alcohol, drugs, or mental health in the past year?

46% report indicators of alcohol use problems
38% report indicators of drug use problems
45% report indicators of mental health problems
86% report indicators of having one of these problems in their lifetime

What proportion of homeless individuals have physical health problems? What types of problems do they have?

3% report having HIV/AIDS
3% report having tuberculosis
26% report having acute infectious conditions, such as a cough, cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, or sexually transmitted diseases other than AIDS
8% report having acute noninfectious conditions, such as skin ulcers, lice, or scabies
45% report having chronic health conditions, such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, or cancer
3 of the 4 most commonly reported medical conditions are chronic health conditions: arthritis, rheumatism, or joint problems (24 percent); high blood pressure (15 percent); and problems walking, a lost limb, or other handicap (14 percent)

What proportion of homeless individuals lack access to medical care?

24% of homeless individuals report that they needed medical attention in the past year but were not able to get it
46% could not get access to a dentist when one was needed
55% report that they have no medical insurance of any kind

What proportion of homeless children lack access to health care?

20% of homeless family households have no insurance for their children

What proportion experience victimization or violence while homeless?

38% say someone stole money or things directly from them
41% say someone stole money or things from their possessions while they were not present
22% have been physically assaulted
7% have been sexually assaulted

How poor are homeless individuals?

Single homeless individuals report an average monthly income of $348
Individuals in family households report an average monthly income of $475

How many homeless individuals did any paid work during the last 30 days prior to being surveyed?

44% report doing paid work during the past 30 days.

How many receive income from family or friends?

21% report receiving income from family members or friends

What adverse childhood experiences did homeless individuals report?

27% were placed in foster care, a group home, or other institutional setting before their 18th birthday
29% were abused or neglected in their childhood by someone in their household
33% ran away from home and 22% percent were forced to leave home for at least 24 hours before their 18th birthday

References

2007 Annual Homeless Assessment Report. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. July 2008.
http://www.hudhre.info/documents/3rdHomelessAssessmentReport.pdf
Burt, Martha R.; Aron, Laudan Y.; Douglas, Toby; Valente, Jesse; Lee, Edgar; Iwen, Britta. Homelessness: Programs and the People They Serve. Summary Report. Findings of the National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients. August 1999.
http://www.huduser.org/publications/homeless/homelessness/contents.html