Ten Surprising Facts about Homelessness in the US

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:05:19 +0100

1) Homeless People

It is estimated that persons considered mentally ill account for 22 percent of the homeless population in the survey cities; substance abusers account for 30 percent. Fifteen percent of the homeless in the survey cities are employed in full-or part-time jobs. Eleven percent are veterans.

2) Causes of Homelessness

Listed in order of frequency: lack of affordable housing, low paying jobs, mental illness and the lack of needed services, substance abuse and the lack of needed services, domestic violence, unemployment, poverty, and prisoner re-entry.

3) Length of Time People Are Homeless

People remain homeless for an average of 7 months in the survey cities. The average length of time people remain homeless is 24 months in Phoenix, 18 months in Louisville, 14 months in Boston, 12 months in Detroit. Eighty-seven percent of the cities report that the length of time people are homeless increased. Thirteen percent report a decrease.

4) People Requesting Food Assistance

Officials in the survey cities reported that 40 percent of adults requesting emergency food assistance were employed. Across the survey cities it is estimated that 54 percent of those requesting emergency food assistance were either children or their parents.

5) Emergency Shelter Requests

Seventy-one percent of the survey cities report an increase in request for emergency shelter during the last year. Across the survey cities, the average increase was 6 percent. The increases ranged from 30 percent in Los Angeles, 28 percent in Trenton, 22 percent in Detroit, and 18 percent in Miami.

6) Emergency Shelter Requests by Families

Requests for emergency shelter by homeless families with children increased in 63 percent of the survey cities during the last year. Across the survey cities, the average increase in requests for emergency shelter by homeless families with children was 5 percent.

7) Requests for Assisted Housing by Low-Income Families and Individuals

During the last year, requests for housing by low-income families and individuals increased in 86 percent of the survey cities.

8) People Turned Away From Emergency Shelter

In 88 percent of the survey cities, emergency shelters may have turned away homeless families due to a lack of resources.

9) Forecast of Requests for Emergency Shelter during 2006

Ninety-three percent of the survey cities expect that requests for emergency shelter to increase in 2006. Ninety-five percent of the survey cities expect that requests for shelter by families to increase in 2006.

10) Requests for Emergency Food Assistance for 2006

Ninety percent of the survey cities expect that their requests for emergency food assistance will increase in 2006. During 2006 requests for emergency food assistance by families with children are expected to increase in 86 percent of the survey cities.

This report came out a year before the Center for Responsible Lending projected millions of homes may go into foreclosure over the next few years, as "2.2 million mortgage loans with a value of $164B to eventually fail."

While we worry about the stock market, bond yields, and the price of commodities, it's important to remind ourselves occasionally that while economic mismanagement may cause many of us to lose money, millions of our fellow citizens stand to lose a lot more than that.

Homeless Statistics

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:13:52 +0100

On any given night in America, anywhere from 700,000 to 2 million people are homeless, according to estimates of the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty.

According to a December, 2000 report of the US Conference of Mayors:

single men comprise 44 percent of the homeless, single women 13 percent, families with children 36 percent, and unaccompanied minors seven percent.
the homeless population is about 50 percent African-American, 35 percent white, 12 percent Hispanic, 2 percent Native American and 1 percent Asian.

According to the 1996 National Survey of Homeless Assistance Providers and Clients (NSHAPC):

single homeless individuals in 1996 reported an average income of $348 during the last 30 days, about 51 percent of the 1996 federal poverty level of $680/month for one person.
28 percent said they sometimes or often do not get enough to eat, compared with 12 percent of poor American adults.
44 percent did paid work during the past month.
21 percent received income from family members or friends.
66 percent of the homeless have problems with alcohol, drug abuse, or mental illness.
22 percent have been physically assaulted.
7 percent have been sexually assaulted.
38 percent say someone stole money or things directly from them.
30 percent have been homeless for more than two years.

insight

Ten Surprising Facts about Homelessness in the US

Homeless Statistics